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אֵשׁ

𐤀𐤔

ʼêsh

H785 noun

SILEX Entry

Root אֵשׁ to burn, fire, burning

Definition

Material phenomenon of fire: the visible, tangible combustion process producing light, heat, and flame. Also denotes a burning fire or blaze, whether of natural, domestic, sacrificial, punitive, or metaphorical origin. May also be used figuratively for intense passion, divine presence or judgment, destruction, and fervor.

Semantic Range

fire, flame, burning, blaze, fiery phenomena (e.g., lightning), destructive force, passion, divine or supernatural manifestation, symbol of purification or judgment

Root / Etymology

Root: אשׁ (ʼ-š). The root's core meaning is 'to burn, fire.' The noun אֵשׁ is a primary term for 'fire' in Hebrew and is attested from earliest stages of the language. Cognate forms occur in related Semitic languages (Akkadian išātu, Ugaritic iš).

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Biblical Hebrew, אֵשׁ refers first and foremost to the material reality of fire—a visible, destructive, and often transformative force, whether in natural or ritual contexts. It appears both as literal fire (for warmth, cooking, sacrificial altar, or warfare) and in symbolic contexts: divine theophany (e.g., burning bush, Sinai), judgment (Sodom and Gomorrah), or passion (love as fire). The term is common in legal, narrative, poetic, and prophetic genres. The use of fire in ritual sacrifice underscores its purifying and consuming powers. In post-exilic and later Judean literature, it can also carry eschatological or punitive overtones. The distinction between אֵשׁ and other terms (e.g., להבה 'flame', שלהבת 'blaze') is that אֵשׁ is the broadest, inclusive term for 'fire.' English translations faithfully render the primary sense but sometimes overlook nuanced metaphoric uses. The term אֵשׁ is the primary, unmarked term for fire in Hebrew, unlike Aramaic forms (which occasionally occur in Daniel, etc.).

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) corresponding to אֵשׁ; {fire (literally or figuratively)}; flame.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

אשׁ (ʾ-š) — to burn, fire, burning

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H784 אֵשׁ in the fire
H787 אֹשׁ the foundations
H800 אֶשָּׁה from their altar-fire
H801 אִשָּׁה the fire-offering
H808 אָשִׁישׁ pressed fruit-cakes of

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H785-01 אֶשָּֽׁא esha ANcfsa fire fire 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H785-01 Daniel 7:11 אֶשָּֽׁא esha ANcfsa fire fire
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