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עַשְׁתְּרָה

𐤏𐤔𐤕𐤓𐤄

Asheterah

H6251 noun

SILEX Entry

Root עשר to become rich, to increase, to be plentiful

Definition

Domesticated herd animal, usually female, particularly a young cow or heifer; in some contexts used more broadly for head of cattle or certain herd animals. The word carries connotations of fecundity, fertility, and herd increase, likely reflecting both agricultural realities and symbolic senses in the ancient Israelite context.

Semantic Range

young cow, heifer, female herd animal, head of cattle, a symbol of abundance or increase, flock, herds

Root / Etymology

Root/Etymology: Likely derived from the root עָשַׁר (ʿ-sh-r), meaning 'to be rich, to enrich, to increase,' with the nominal formation suggesting 'that which is increased' or 'increase' (lit. that which produces abundance). The connection is reinforced by the agricultural associations of herd animals with prosperity.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Historical & Contextual Notes: The term עַשְׁתְּרָה appears infrequently in the Hebrew Bible. Its most direct usage (Deut 7:13; 28:4, 18, 51) is in reference to domesticated herd animals among Israelite livestock, especially emphasizing agricultural abundance or divine blessing. The word as used in the Hebrew Bible is distinct from עַשְׁתָּרוֹת (Ashtaroth), the plural form often associated with the Canaanite goddess of fertility and war, though both words likely derive ultimately from a common Semitic root relating to prolific abundance or increase (see also Akkadian, Ugaritic cognates). In early Israelite agrarian society, the prosperity reflected in increased flocks was a concrete sign of divine favor; the term is thus tightly bound to the material culture of subsistence and blessing. Later Jewish interpretation sometimes conflates these terms, but biblical usage maintains the distinction. Standard English translations often render עַשְׁתְּרָה as 'flock' or 'herd,' which captures the general meaning, but may obscure the gender (typically female) and nuance of youthful fertility implied.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

probably from עָשַׁר; increase; flock.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

עשר (ʿ-š-r) — to become rich, to increase, to be plentiful

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4643 מַעֲשֵׂר the tenth-portion
H6218 עָשׂוֹר group of ten
H6223 עָשִׁיר wealthy man
H6224 עֲשִׂירִי tenth
H6235 עֶשֶׂר ten

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6251-01 וְ/עַשְׁתְּרֹ֣ת veasheterot HC/Np and the young and heifers 4

Occurrences in Scripture

4 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6251-01 Deuteronomy 7:13 וְ/עַשְׁתְּרֹ֣ת veasheterot HC/Np and young of and heifers
H6251-01 Deuteronomy 28:4 וְ/עַשְׁתְּר֥וֹת veasheterot HC/Np and the young and heifers
H6251-01 Deuteronomy 28:18 וְ/עַשְׁתְּר֥וֹת veasheterot HC/Np and the young and heifers
H6251-01 Deuteronomy 28:51 וְ/עַשְׁתְּרֹ֣ת veasheterot HC/Np or flocks and heifers
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