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עָשִׁיר

𐤏𐤔𐤉𐤓

ʻâshîyr

H6223 adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

An individual possessing significant material wealth, often in the form of land, livestock, silver, or goods; also in select cases refers more broadly to someone of elevated social or economic status. Used both literally (those with abundant resources) and at times metaphorically (someone esteemed, influential, or powerful). While most occurrences designate persons whose wealth sets them apart from general society, on rare occasions it carries connotations of nobility due to the societal association between wealth and social rank.

Semantic Range

rich, wealthy, affluent, possessing material abundance, socially influential (by virtue of wealth), noble (rare/connotative)

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root עָשַׁר (ʿ-š-r), meaning 'to be or become rich, gain riches, gain wealth.' עָשִׁיר is the adjectival form meaning 'wealthy' or 'rich person.' The root directly relates to the accumulation or possession of material abundance. There is no evidence for a non-Semitic derivation.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, עָשִׁיר typically connotes those with economic power or surplus, particularly in narratives contrasting the 'rich' and 'poor' (e.g., Proverbs, Psalms, prophetic texts). In some cases, such as wisdom literature, the term acquires moral undertones, reflecting attitudes toward the ethically positive or negative uses of wealth. It is distinct from terms denoting rulers, elders, or tribal leaders, though overlap exists when wealth brings influence. Post-exilic and later biblical periods increasingly link 'the rich' with social critique. Standard English translations ('rich,' 'wealthy') are generally accurate though may overlook the sociocultural implications present in ancient Near Eastern context—possessors of wealth often functioned as patrons or bearers of community responsibility. The term does not inherently denote nobility as a formal class title, but the connection between wealth and social prominence could result in overlapping usage.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from עָשַׁר; rich, whether literal or figurative (noble); rich (man).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

עשר (ʿ-š-r) — to be rich, to become wealthy, to gain wealth

Root עשר to be rich, to become wealthy, to gain wealth
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4643 מַעֲשֵׂר the tenth-portion
H6218 עָשׂוֹר group of ten
H6224 עֲשִׂירִי tenth
H6235 עֶשֶׂר ten
H6236 עֲשַׂר -teen

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H6223-01 עָשִׁ֖יר ashir HAamsa rich wealthy man wealthy man 14
H6223-05 לְ/עָשִׁ֗יר leashir HR/Aamsa to the rich to a wealthy man for the wealthy man 3
H6223-04 הֶֽ/עָשִׁ֣יר heashir HTd/Aamsa the rich the wealthy man the wealthy man 2
H6223-06 וַ/עֲשִׁירִ֖ים vaashirim HC/Aampa and rich men wealthy men and wealthy men 1
H6223-02 עֲשִׁ֣ירֵי ashirey HAampc the rich wealthy ones of wealthy ones 1
H6223-03 עֲשִׁירֶ֨י/הָ֙ ashireyha HAampc/Sp3fs its rich men her wealthy ones her wealthy ones 1
H6223-07 וְ֝/עָשִׁ֗יר veashir HC/Aamsa but the rich wealthy man and the wealthy man 1

Occurrences in Scripture

23 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H6223-04 Exodus 30:15 הֶֽ/עָשִׁ֣יר heashir HTd/Aamsa the rich the wealthy man the wealthy man
H6223-01 2 Samuel 12:1 עָשִׁ֖יר ashir HAamsa rich wealthy man wealthy man
H6223-05 2 Samuel 12:2 לְ/עָשִׁ֗יר leashir HR/Aamsa to the rich man to a wealthy man to the rich man
H6223-04 2 Samuel 12:4 הֶֽ/עָשִׁיר֒ heashir HTd/Aamsa the rich the wealthy man the wealthy man
H6223-01 Isaiah 53:9 עָשִׁ֖יר ashir HAamsa the rich wealthy man wealthy man
H6223-01 Jeremiah 9:22 עָשִׁ֖יר ashir HAamsa rich man wealthy man rich man
H6223-03 Micah 6:12 עֲשִׁירֶ֨י/הָ֙ ashireyha HAampc/Sp3fs its rich men her wealthy ones her wealthy ones
H6223-02 Psalms 45:13 עֲשִׁ֣ירֵי ashirey HAampc the rich wealthy ones of wealthy ones
H6223-01 Psalms 49:3 עָשִׁ֥יר ashir HAamsa rich wealthy man wealthy man
H6223-01 Proverbs 10:15 עָ֭שִׁיר ashir HAamsa of-the-rich wealthy man wealthy man
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