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אֶמֶשׁ

𐤀𐤌𐤔

ʼemesh

H570 adverb

SILEX Entry

Root uncertain immediate past, preceding day, preceding night

Definition

ʻEmesh refers specifically to the immediate past day or night, often meaning 'yesterday' or 'last night.' In broader usage, it can signify the most recent period prior to the present, distinguishing the previous day or the night before from today. In rare contexts, it may constitute a reference to a period slightly further in the past, but always with a direct connection to the current day or night.

Semantic Range

yesterday, last night, previous period (immediate past), prior day, preceding night

Root / Etymology

Root uncertain, though possible connection with a Semitic root for 'last night' or 'past time' is suggested in comparative linguistics. The term may be a contraction or fossilized form, as similar words appear in related Semitic languages (e.g., Ugaritic ms–, Akkadian mīšu).

Historical & Contextual Notes

אֶמֶשׁ appears rarely in the Hebrew Bible (e.g., Gen 19:34; Job 30:3; Ps 90:4), and always refers to the period immediately preceding the one under discussion. It differs from יוֹם אֶתְמוֹל (yom etmol), which can mean 'formerly' or 'previous days,' by focusing specifically on the last day or night. In some contexts, the English 'yesterday' or 'last night' adequately renders its meaning, but the Hebrew term more precisely draws a temporal line between immediate past and present. The term shows no significant shift in meaning across Israelite history and is not used to refer to a vague or remote past. Where English translations sometimes supply 'yesterday,' the nuance might include 'last night' as well, depending on context.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

time past, i.e.; yesterday or last night; former time, yesterday(-night)

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

אמש (ʾ-m-sh) — immediate past, preceding day, preceding night

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H570-02 אֶ֖מֶשׁ emesh HD last night yesterday 4
H570-01 אָֽמֶשׁ amesh HD last night yesterday 1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H570-02 Genesis 19:34 אֶ֖מֶשׁ emesh HD last night yesterday
H570-02 Genesis 31:29 אֶ֣מֶשׁ emesh HD last night yesterday
H570-01 Genesis 31:42 אָֽמֶשׁ amesh HD last night yesterday
H570-02 2 Kings 9:26 אֶ֨מֶשׁ֙ emesh HD yesterday yesterday
H570-02 Job 30:3 אֶ֝֗מֶשׁ emesh HD by night yesterday
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