עֲמָשָׂא
𐤏𐤌𐤔𐤀
Amasa
H6021 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Personal name: Amasa. Most likely meaning 'burden bearer' or 'carrying a load,' based on its relation to the verbal root. Refers to two different Israelite men in the Hebrew Bible: (1) the son of Abigail, David's sister/relative, and commander of Absalom’s army who was later appointed by David as commander-in-chief; (2) a Judahite leader under King Jehoshaphat who participated in religious reforms. The primary lexical meaning centers on the personal name, which carries the connotation of bearing or lifting a burden both literally (root sense) and metaphorically (through leadership roles).
Semantic Range
Amasa (personal name), bearer or carrier (implied in the name's formation); by extension, one who takes on responsibility or leadership (metaphorical sense in context)
Root / Etymology
Derived from the Hebrew root עָמַס (ʻāmas), meaning 'to load, carry, bear a load' with the addition of an aleph mater lectionis as a proper noun ending. The formation implies 'one who bears' or 'bearer of a load.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical narrative, עֲמָשָׂא (Amasa) is used exclusively as a personal name for individuals of Israelite and Judahite heritage. The name likely reflects an aspirational or symbolic quality, associating the bearer with the ability or duty to 'carry a burden,' whether physically, militarily, or administratively. The primary historic figure, Amasa son of Abigail, illustrates the name's metaphorical association with leadership burdens. English translations render the name directly as 'Amasa,' but the underlying meaning is rarely referenced or explained. The term does not denote ethnic, geographic, or religious group identity, but is limited to use as a proper noun.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from עָמַס; burden; Amasa, the name of two Israelites; Amasa.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
עמס (ʿ-m-s) — to load, carry, bear a load
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4614 | מַעֲמָסָה | burdensomeness |
| H5986 | עָמוֹס | Amos |
| H6006 | עָמַס | loaded-down ones |
| H6007 | עֲמַסְיָה | Yah Has Borne |
| H6022 | עֲמָשַׂי | Burden-Bearer |
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6021-01 |
עֲמָשָׂ֗א | amasa | HNp |
Amasa | Burden-Bearer | 8 |
H6021-03 |
וַ/עֲמָשָׂ֣א | vaamasa | HC/Np |
and Amasa | and Burden-Bearer | 5 |
H6021-04 |
וְ/לַֽ/עֲמָשָׂא֙ | velaamasa | HC/R/Np |
and to Amasa | and to Burden-Bearer | 2 |
H6021-02 |
לַ/עֲמָשָׂ֔א | laamasa | HR/Np |
to Amasa | to Burden-Bearer | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
16 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6021-01 |
2 Samuel 17:25 | עֲמָשָׂ֗א | amasa | HNp |
Amasa | Burden-Bearer |
H6021-03 |
2 Samuel 17:25 | וַ/עֲמָשָׂ֣א | vaamasa | HC/Np |
Now-Amasa | and Burden-Bearer |
H6021-04 |
2 Samuel 19:14 | וְ/לַֽ/עֲמָשָׂא֙ | velaamasa | HC/R/Np |
And to Amasa | and to Burden-Bearer |
H6021-01 |
2 Samuel 20:4 | עֲמָשָׂ֔א | amasa | HNp |
Amasa | Burden-Bearer |
H6021-01 |
2 Samuel 20:5 | עֲמָשָׂ֖א | amasa | HNp |
Amasa | Burden-Bearer |
H6021-03 |
2 Samuel 20:8 | וַ/עֲמָשָׂ֖א | vaamasa | HC/Np |
and Amasa | and Burden-Bearer |
H6021-02 |
2 Samuel 20:9 | לַ/עֲמָשָׂ֔א | laamasa | HR/Np |
to Amasa | to Burden-Bearer |
H6021-01 |
2 Samuel 20:9 | עֲמָשָׂ֖א | amasa | HNp |
of Amasa | Burden-Bearer |
H6021-03 |
2 Samuel 20:10 | וַ/עֲמָשָׂ֨א | vaamasa | HC/Np |
But Amasa | and Burden-Bearer |
H6021-03 |
2 Samuel 20:12 | וַ/עֲמָשָׂ֛א | vaamasa | HC/Np |
And Amasa | and Burden-Bearer |