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מֵיתָר

𐤌𐤉𐤕𐤓

mêythâr

H4340 noun

SILEX Entry

Root יתר to be left over, exceed, remain

Definition

A cord or string, specifically used for securing, tying, or tensioning. In biblical usage, commonly refers to a tent cord (used to stabilize or anchor tents) or a bowstring (for drawing and releasing a bow). The word encompasses cords that bear weight or tension and can denote both functional ropes and musical strings in some post-biblical use.

Semantic Range

tent-cord, bowstring, rope used for stretching or tension, string (as for an instrument, in later Hebrew)

Root / Etymology

From the root יתר (y-t-r, יָתַר), meaning 'to be left over, remain, exceed.' The word מֵיתָר derives from this root, likely referencing that which is 'stretched' or 'extended.' While יֶתֶר (yeṯer) is a more common term for 'cord, rope', מֵיתָר is an alternative formation, possibly denoting a specific type or function of cord.

Historical & Contextual Notes

מֵיתָר appears infrequently in the Hebrew Bible (notably, Job 30:11; Isaiah 33:20), primarily in late poetry and prophecy. It is closely related to יֶתֶר, though יֶתֶר is the regular word for 'cord' in earlier passages and has a broader range of meaning, including any rope, ligament, or remainder. The contextual use of מֵיתָר (such as for tent cords or bowstrings) highlights objects under tension—holding, securing, or releasing. Later Hebrew retained מֵיתָר primarily for musical instrument strings. English translations like 'cord' or 'string' usually capture the general sense, but may obscure distinctions between technical uses (tent cords, bowstrings, etc.). In rabbinic and modern Hebrew, the term is standard for the string of a harp or similar instruments, indicating a semantic narrowing over time.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from יָתַר; (compare יֶתֶר); a cord (of a tent); or the string (of a bow); cord, string.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

יתר (y-t-r) — to remain, exceed, be left over; extension, surplus

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1956 הוֹתִיר Hothir
H3148 יוֹתֵר and surplus
H3491 יָתוּר leftover gleaning
H3492 יַתִּיר in Yattir
H3493 יַתִּיר Exceeding-One

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4340-06 וּ/מֵֽיתְרֵי/הֶֽם umeytereyhem HC/Ncmpc/Sp3mp and their cords and their tension-cords 2
H4340-04 מֵיתָרָ֖י/ו meytarayv HNcmpc/Sp3ms its cords his tension-cords 2
H4340-05 מֵיתְרֵי/הֶֽם meytereyhem HNcmpc/Sp3mp cords their tension-cords 2
H4340-01 בְּ֝/מֵֽיתָרֶ֗י/ךָ bemeytareykha HR/Ncmpc/Sp2ms with your bowstrings with your tension-cords 1
H4340-03 מֵֽיתָרַ֔יִ/ךְ meytarayikhe HNcmpc/Sp2fs your cords your tension-cords 1
H4340-02 מֵיתָרַ֖/י meytaray HNcmpc/Sp1cs my cords my tension-cords 1

Occurrences in Scripture

9 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4340-05 Exodus 35:18 מֵיתְרֵי/הֶֽם meytereyhem HNcmpc/Sp3mp their cords their tension-cords
H4340-04 Exodus 39:40 מֵיתָרָ֖י/ו meytarayv HNcmpc/Sp3ms its cords his tension-cords
H4340-04 Numbers 3:26 מֵֽיתָרָ֔י/ו meytarayv HNcmpc/Sp3ms its cords his tension-cords
H4340-06 Numbers 3:37 וּ/מֵֽיתְרֵי/הֶֽם umeytereyhem HC/Ncmpc/Sp3mp and their cords and their tension-cords
H4340-05 Numbers 4:26 מֵֽיתְרֵי/הֶ֔ם meytereyhem HNcmpc/Sp3mp cords their tension-cords
H4340-06 Numbers 4:32 וּ/מֵ֣יתְרֵי/הֶ֔ם umeytereyhem HC/Ncmpc/Sp3mp and-their-cords and their tension-cords
H4340-03 Isaiah 54:2 מֵֽיתָרַ֔יִ/ךְ meytarayikhe HNcmpc/Sp2fs your cords your tension-cords
H4340-02 Jeremiah 10:20 מֵיתָרַ֖/י meytaray HNcmpc/Sp1cs my cords my tension-cords
H4340-01 Psalms 21:13 בְּ֝/מֵֽיתָרֶ֗י/ךָ bemeytareykha HR/Ncmpc/Sp2ms with your bowstrings with your tension-cords
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