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עֲדַף

𐤏𐤃𐤐

ʻădaph

H5736 verb

SILEX Entry

Root עדף to be in excess, to surpass, to have more than needed, to remain over

Definition

To be left over, to remain in excess or as surplus; to be more than needed, to be in excess quantity; in causative forms, to cause to have a surplus or abundance. The term commonly refers to what is left after a main portion has been used or allocated, especially in reference to physical goods, produce, or numbers.

Semantic Range

to be left over, to be in surplus, to remain in excess, to have a remainder, to cause to have surplus, to be more than, to be superfluous

Root / Etymology

From the root עדף (ע-ד-ף), whose fundamental meaning is 'to be superfluous, to remain over, to exceed.' The verb form עֲדַף is the qal stem, meaning 'to remain over' or 'to be left over.' Related substantives and derivatives refer to surplus or excess.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Biblical Hebrew, עֲדַף most often refers to what is left after distribution or consumption, such as portions of food or remaining produce after a harvest, and often appears in contexts dealing with provision, supply, or calculation of remainder (e.g., Leviticus 25:27, 26:10). This root is distinct from other verbs with similar meanings such as יָתַר (yatar, to remain), which often refers more generally to what is left behind or spared, whereas עֲדַף highlights the aspect of excess or surplus over and above what is needed or expected. In post-biblical Hebrew, the meaning retains this sense of surplus or superfluity. The term is used infrequently in the Hebrew Bible, sometimes in relation to numbers (an 'odd' number, or remainder), but more commonly with material or countable goods. Standard English translations such as 'remain,' 'be left over,' or 'surplus' generally capture the basic sense but may not fully convey the productive or transactional nuance of excess beyond sufficiency. The concept of surplus had practical economic and ritual implications in Israelite society, relating to property, redemption, and the fulfillment of obligations.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to be (causatively, have) redundant; be more, odd number, be (have) over (and above), overplus, remain.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

עדף (ʿ-d-p̄) — to be in excess, to remain over, to surpass, to have more than needed

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H5736-02 הָ֣/עֹדֵ֔ף haodef HTd/Vqrmsa that remains the one remaining over 3
H5736-04 הָ/עֹֽדְפִים֙ haodefim HTd/Vqrmpa those exceeding the ones remaining over 3
H5736-03 הָ/עֹדֶ֔פֶת haodefet HTd/Vqrfsa that remains the remaining one 1
H5736-01 בָּ/עֹדֵ֔ף baodef HRd/Vqrmsa of the excess the one remaining over 1
H5736-05 הֶעְדִּיף֙ heedif HVhp3ms had excess he caused surplus to abound 1

Occurrences in Scripture

9 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H5736-05 Exodus 16:18 הֶעְדִּיף֙ heedif HVhp3ms had excess he caused surplus to abound
H5736-02 Exodus 16:23 הָ֣/עֹדֵ֔ף haodef HTd/Vqrmsa that remains the one remaining over
H5736-02 Exodus 26:12 הָ/עֹדֵ֔ף haodef HTd/Vqrmsa that remains the one remaining over
H5736-03 Exodus 26:12 הָ/עֹדֶ֔פֶת haodefet HTd/Vqrfsa that remains the remaining one
H5736-01 Exodus 26:13 בָּ/עֹדֵ֔ף baodef HRd/Vqrmsa of the excess the one remaining over
H5736-02 Leviticus 25:27 הָ֣/עֹדֵ֔ף haodef HTd/Vqrmsa overpayment the one remaining over
H5736-04 Numbers 3:46 הָ/עֹֽדְפִים֙ haodefim HTd/Vqrmpa exceeding the ones remaining over
H5736-04 Numbers 3:48 הָ/עֹדְפִ֖ים haodefim HTd/Vqrmpa those exceeding the ones remaining over
H5736-04 Numbers 3:49 הָ/עֹ֣דְפִ֔ים haodefim HTd/Vqrmpa those exceeding the ones remaining over
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