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עֶשֶׂר

𐤏𐤔𐤓

ʻeser

H6235 adjective

SILEX Entry

Root עשר to be ten, to make ten, to count by tens

Definition

Numeral meaning 'ten,' used to express the number ten, marking a quantity or unit of ten in counting and enumeration. Functions as both a cardinal number ('ten') and, in construction with other words, as part of the formation for numbers eleven through nineteen. Occasionally appears in idiomatic or ordinal expressions relating to groups or units of ten.

Semantic Range

ten (the number 10), group of ten, used for unit 'ten' in numeration and counting, part of composite numerals eleven through nineteen, sometimes denoting exactness or completeness of a group (as in 'ten men', 'ten times')

Root / Etymology

Root/Etymology: Derived from the root עשר, whose core meaning is 'to be ten, to make ten.' The form עֶשֶׂר is the masculine cardinal number used for 'ten.' It is etymologically related to similar numeral forms across Semitic languages; the feminine form עֲשָׂרָה (ʻăsārāh) is used in gender agreement contexts. The basic form likely represents an early stage of Semitic numeral formation, cognate with Akkadian ešer, Ugaritic ʿšr, and Arabic ʿashara.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical Hebrew, עֶשֶׂר functions as the standard masculine form for the number ten, while its feminine counterpart עֲשָׂרָה appears when counting feminine nouns or in combination with unit numbers to form numerals eleven to nineteen. Its usage spans descriptive narratives (e.g., listing quantities, describing groups or ages), legal prescriptions, and ritual requirements (such as tithes, which derive from the same root, but with the form מַעֲשֵׂר). In some syntactic environments, distinction between masculine (עֶשֶׂר) and feminine (עֲשָׂרָה) reflects concord with the counted noun, a feature retained only partially in modern Hebrew. Later biblical books and post-biblical Hebrew preserve the basic structure of number formation, though frequency and precision of usage may shift. English translations render the term simply as 'ten,' but Hebrew numerals integrate more flexibly into grammatical constructions. The connotation of 'ten' as a base for further numeration (e.g., 'ten plus three' forming 'thirteen') is consistent with broader Semitic numeral systems.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

masculine of term עֲשָׂרָה; from עָשַׂר; ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits); ten, (fif-, seven-) teen.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

עשר (ʿ-š-r) — to be ten, to make ten, to count by tens

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4643 מַעֲשֵׂר the tenth-portion
H6218 עָשׂוֹר group of ten
H6223 עָשִׁיר wealthy man
H6224 עֲשִׂירִי tenth
H6236 עֲשַׂר -teen

Word Forms

15 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6235-01 עֲשָׂרָ֑ה asarah HAcmsa ten ten 55
H6235-05 עֶ֣שֶׂר eser HAcfsa ten ten 43
H6235-04 עֲשֶׂ֣רֶת aseret HAcmsc ten ten 36
H6235-13 וַ/עֲשֶׂ֧רֶת vaaseret HC/Acmsc and ten and ten-of 11
H6235-12 וַ/עֲשָׂרָ֤ה vaasarah HC/Acmsa and ten and ten 9
H6235-15 וְ/עֶ֣שֶׂר veeser HC/Acfsa and ten and ten 4
H6235-14 וָ/עֶ֖שֶׂר vaeser HC/Acfsa and ten and ten 4
H6235-03 עָֽשֶׂר aser HAcfsa ten to tithe 3
H6235-02 עֲשָׂרֹֽת asarot HAcmpa tens tens 3
H6235-06 הָ/עֲשָׂרָֽה haasarah HTd/Acmsa ten ten 2

Occurrences in Scripture

177 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6235-05 Genesis 5:14 עֶ֣שֶׂר eser HAcfsa ten ten
H6235-05 Genesis 16:3 עֶ֣שֶׂר eser HAcfsa ten ten
H6235-01 Genesis 18:32 עֲשָׂרָ֑ה asarah HAcmsa ten ten
H6235-06 Genesis 18:32 הָ/עֲשָׂרָֽה haasarah HTd/Acmsa the ten ten
H6235-01 Genesis 24:10 עֲשָׂרָ֨ה asarah HAcmsa ten ten
H6235-01 Genesis 24:22 עֲשָׂרָ֥ה asarah HAcmsa ten ten
H6235-04 Genesis 31:7 עֲשֶׂ֣רֶת aseret HAcmsc ten ten
H6235-04 Genesis 31:41 עֲשֶׂ֥רֶת aseret HAcmsc ten ten
H6235-01 Genesis 32:16 עֲשָׂרָ֔ה asarah HAcmsa ten ten
H6235-01 Genesis 32:16 עֲשָׂרָֽה asarah-2 HAcmsa ten ten
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