עַשְׁתֵּי
𐤏𐤔𐤕𐤉
ʻashtêy
H6249 adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
A form indicating 'eleven,' particularly in compound numerical expressions. Used exclusively in the construct state before the word for 'ten' (עָשָׂר), it forms the numbers eleven (cardinal) and eleventh (ordinal) in Biblical Hebrew. The term does not stand alone, but always appears as part of a construct phrase for counting or denoting sequence, e.g., 'eleven men,' 'the eleventh month.'
Semantic Range
eleven (as a cardinal in a compound), eleventh (as an ordinal in a sequence), component of numerical expressions
Root / Etymology
A construct plural form derived from the feminine noun עֶשֶׁת (eshet, meaning 'unit' or possibly 'ten'), connected to the root ע-ש-ת (uncertain root, possibly related to the counting system). The form עַשְׁתֵּי is specifically used in compound numbers (in construct state) before עָשָׂר ('ten').
Historical & Contextual Notes
עַשְׁתֵּי is solely attested in formulaic numerical constructions, never independent. It occurs exclusively in enumerations, such as lists of ages, months, or items. Unlike common words for 'one' (אֶחָד) or 'ten' (עֶשֶׂר), עַשְׁתֵּי does not denote an object but functions as a numeral component. Its frequency is largely limited to enumerative passages across the Pentateuch, historical books, and prophetic literature. Related forms (such as אַחַת־עֶשְׂרֵה for 'eleven,' feminine) appear in other contexts, but עַשְׁתֵּי specifically marks the masculine construct. Later Hebrew numeration (post-biblical and modern) transitions from this system to standardized forms such as אַחַד עָשָׂר. In English Bibles, it is always translated as 'eleven' or 'eleventh,' but these do not reflect the syntactic nuance of the Hebrew construct. There is no theological or ritual use unique to this term. The use of עַשְׁתֵּי is a classic example of Hebrew's method of building numbers above ten via construct chains.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
apparently masculine plural construction of עֶשֶׁת in the sense of an afterthought (used only in connection with עָשָׂר in lieu of אֶחָד); eleven or (ordinal) eleventh; [phrase] eleven(-th).
Bantu Hebrew
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עשׁת (ʿ-š-t) — to reckon, to form a unit, numerical grouping
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6249-01 |
עַשְׁתֵּי | ashetey | HAcbpc |
eleventh | eleven | 12 |
H6249-03 |
לְ/עַשְׁתֵּ֥י | leashetey | HR/Aobpc |
for the eleventh | to eleven | 4 |
H6249-02 |
בְּ/עַשְׁתֵּֽי | beashetey | HR/Acbsc |
in the eleventh | in eleven | 3 |
Occurrences in Scripture
19 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6249-01 |
Exodus 26:7 | עַשְׁתֵּי | ashetey | HAcbpc |
eleven | eleven |
H6249-03 |
Exodus 26:8 | לְ/עַשְׁתֵּ֥י | leashetey | HR/Aobpc |
to-eleven | to eleven |
H6249-01 |
Exodus 36:14 | עַשְׁתֵּֽי | ashetey | HAcbpc |
eleven | eleven |
H6249-03 |
Exodus 36:15 | לְ/עַשְׁתֵּ֥י | leashetey | HR/Acbpc |
for the two | to eleven |
H6249-01 |
Numbers 7:72 | עַשְׁתֵּ֣י | ashetey | HAobpc |
eleventh | eleven |
H6249-01 |
Numbers 29:20 | עַשְׁתֵּי | ashetey | HAobpc |
two | eleven |
H6249-02 |
Deuteronomy 1:3 | בְּ/עַשְׁתֵּֽי | beashetey | HR/Acbsc |
in-eleventh | in eleven |
H6249-01 |
2 Kings 25:2 | עַשְׁתֵּ֣י | ashetey | HAobpc |
eleventh | eleven |
H6249-01 |
Jeremiah 1:3 | עַשְׁתֵּ֣י | ashetey | HAobpc |
eleventh | eleven |
H6249-02 |
Jeremiah 39:2 | בְּ/עַשְׁתֵּֽי | beashetey | HR/Acbsc |
in the eleventh | in eleven |