עַיִשׁ
𐤏𐤉𐤔
Ayish
H5906 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A proper noun referring to a prominent star or constellation, widely identified with what is now called the constellation of the Great Bear (Ursa Major) or possibly the star Arcturus; used exclusively as an astronomical term in Biblical Hebrew poetry.
Semantic Range
name of a constellation (likely Ursa Major or the star Arcturus); poetic reference to a prominent group of stars; motif of celestial order
Root / Etymology
From the root עוּשׁ, which is associated with movement or gathering. The precise derivation in context is uncertain, but the root is often thought to indicate 'to hasten' or 'to move', which may reflect the apparent motion of this group of stars across the sky seen by ancient observers. The form עַיִשׁ is a noun, likely a proper name, denoting a specific stellar object or constellation.
Historical & Contextual Notes
עַיִשׁ occurs only in poetic passages—Job 9:9 and 38:32—alongside other ancient astral terms such as כִּימָה (likely the Pleiades) and כְּסִיל (often identified as Orion). While in post-biblical and medieval tradition, עַיִשׁ is commonly linked with Arcturus or Ursa Major, the identification with the 'Great Bear' constellation is not explicit in the biblical text itself but reflects both Ancient Near Eastern and later astronomical associations. The term should not be confused with later Greek and Latin designations; rather, it refers to a prominent astronomical object recognized by the ancient Israelites, possibly as a guiding star for navigation. The recurring appearance with other constellation names in Job exhibits the ancient Hebrew familiarity with specific star groups visible in the northern sky. English translations usually render עַיִשׁ as 'Arcturus' following the King James Version, but this translation may mislead by equating the biblical term too closely with later Greek star nomenclature.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or עָשׁ; from עוּשׁ; the constellation of the Great Bear (perhaps from its migration through the heavens); Arcturus.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
עוש (ʿ-w-š) — to hasten, to move, to assemble
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3266 | יְעוּשׁ | Hastening-one |
| H3274 | יְעִישׁ | Hasty-one |
| H5789 | עוּשׁ | Hasten, you men |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5906-01 |
עָ֭שׁ | ash | HNcfsa |
Arcturus | Moving Star-Cluster | 1 |
H5906-02 |
וְ֝/עַ֗יִשׁ | veayish | HC/Np |
or the Bear | Ayish Constellation | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences