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עֵט

𐤏𐤈

ʻêṭ

H5842 noun

SILEX Entry

Root עיט to swoop, to dart, to rush upon

Definition

A stylus, tool, or instrument used for engraving, writing, or inscribing, especially on hard surfaces such as stone or metal. In context, עֵט refers not only to a writing implement but also to a tool for incising or marking, and may refer generally to an instrument used for making impressions, not exclusively for ink-written communication.

Semantic Range

stylus, engraving implement, writing tool, marking stick, pen (in post-biblical or poetic sense), instrument for incising or inscribing

Root / Etymology

עֵט derives from the root עיט, whose core meaning relates to 'swooping' or 'darting,' suggesting a rapid or striking motion. The root action has been metaphorically extended from the movement of birds to the swift motion of writing or inscribing with a pointed tool.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, עֵט is attested in poetic and metaphorical passages (e.g., Jeremiah 8:8; Psalm 45:2[1]), often referring to the act of engraving or the instrument itself. It rarely designates a pen for ink writing, as writing in ancient Israelite society was primarily on surfaces like clay, leather, metal, or stone, not paper. In some post-biblical periods, the word came to mean a pen for writing with ink as writing practices changed. English translations commonly render עֵט as 'pen,' which can be misleading for earlier periods; 'stylus' or 'engraving tool' may reflect the historical reality more accurately. The connection to עִיט ('to swoop') reflects the swift, decisive movement associated with marking—hence the derivation. Later Hebrew and Aramaic adopted derivatives for ink-writing tools as materials and techniques developed.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from עִיט (contracted) in the sense of swooping, i.e. side-long stroke; a stylus or marking stick; pen.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

עת (ʿ-t) — marking time, appointing, indicating occurrence

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H6256 עֵת at the appointed time

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H5842-02 עֵ֖ט et HNcmsc pen object-marker 2
H5842-01 בְּ/עֵ֥ט beet HR/Ncmsc with an iron pen at appointed-time of 2

Occurrences in Scripture

4 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H5842-02 Jeremiah 8:8 עֵ֖ט et HNcmsc pen object-marker
H5842-01 Jeremiah 17:1 בְּ/עֵ֥ט beet HR/Ncmsc with a pen at appointed-time of
H5842-02 Psalms 45:2 עֵ֤ט et HNcmsa pen object-marker
H5842-01 Job 19:24 בְּ/עֵט beet HR/Ncmsc with an iron pen at appointed-time of
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