שָׁלוֹשׁ
𐤔𐤋𐤅𐤔
shâlôwsh
H7969 adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
The cardinal number three; in certain contexts, the form denotes 'third' in ordinal use or 'three times' in multiples. The term is used both as an absolute numeral and within compound numbers (such as thirteen, thirty).
Semantic Range
three (cardinal number), third (ordinal), three times (multiple); used in phrases denoting threefold division, third place, or repetition by three; components in numbers such as thirteen or thirty
Root / Etymology
From the root שׁ־ל־שׁ (שָׁלשׁ), meaning 'three.' Formed through standard Semitic numeral construction; the term derives directly from the root indicating 'three.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
שָׁלוֹשׁ (feminine) and שְׁלוֹשָׁה (masculine) appear frequently throughout the Hebrew Bible, used in counting, expressing ages, enumerating possessions or sacrifices, and marking time intervals. Ordinal forms such as שְׁלִישִׁי ('third') are derived from the same root. This numeral also serves as the base for forming multiples ('thrice' = three times), distributives, and larger numbers (thirteen, thirty). In certain specific idiomatic expressions (such as configurations of objects or divisions of land), threefold symmetry or division can be implied. Comparison with שָׁלִישׁ shows relatedness but that term typically means 'officer' or 'third man,' not the number itself. The English translation 'three' accurately reflects the basic numerical value, but some nuance is lost in expressions regarding sequence or repetition.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or שָׁלֹשׁ; masculine שְׁלוֹשָׁה; or שְׁלֹשָׁה; a primitive number; three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice; [phrase] fork, [phrase] often(-times), third, thir(-teen, -teenth), three, [phrase] thrice. Compare שָׁלִישׁ.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שלש (sh-l-sh) — to be three, to divide into three, triply
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H7970 | שְׁלוֹשִׁים | in the thirty |
| H7991 | שָׁלִישׁ | in the third-rank officer |
| H7992 | שְׁלִישִׁי | in the third |
| H8027 | שָׁלַשׁ | the threefold one |
| H8028 | שֶׁלֶשׁ | and Triplet |
Word Forms
27 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7969-19 |
שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה | sheloshah | HAcmsa |
three | three | 102 |
H7969-20 |
שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת | sheloshet | HAcmsc |
three | three of | 71 |
H7969-14 |
שָׁלֹ֣שׁ | shalosh | HAcfsa |
three | three | 71 |
H7969-18 |
שְׁלֹ֥שׁ | shelosh | HAcfsa |
three | three | 62 |
H7969-22 |
וּ/שְׁלֹשָׁה֙ | usheloshah | HC/Acmsa |
and three | and three | 33 |
H7969-27 |
וְ/שָׁלֹֽשׁ | veshalosh | HC/Acfsa |
and three | and three | 16 |
H7969-21 |
וּ/שְׁלֹ֥שׁ | ushelosh | HC/Acfsa |
and three | and three | 12 |
H7969-23 |
וּ/שְׁלֹ֧שֶׁת | usheloshet | HC/Acmsc |
and three | and three-of | 11 |
H7969-06 |
הַ/שְּׁלֹשָׁ֔ה | hasheloshah | HTd/Acmsa |
the three | the three | 10 |
H7969-04 |
בִּ/שְׁלֹשָׁ֨ה | bisheloshah | HR/Acmsa |
among three | in three | 10 |
Occurrences in Scripture
431 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7969-18 |
Genesis 5:22 | שְׁלֹ֥שׁ | shelosh | HAcfsa |
three | three |
H7969-21 |
Genesis 5:23 | וּ/שְׁלֹ֥שׁ | ushelosh | HC/Acfsa |
and | and three |
H7969-19 |
Genesis 6:10 | שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה | sheloshah | HAcmsa |
three | three |
H7969-18 |
Genesis 6:15 | שְׁלֹ֧שׁ | shelosh | HAcfsa |
three | three |
H7969-23 |
Genesis 7:13 | וּ/שְׁלֹ֧שֶׁת | usheloshet | HC/Acmsc |
and the three | and three-of |
H7969-19 |
Genesis 9:19 | שְׁלֹשָׁ֥ה | sheloshah | HAcmsa |
three | three |
H7969-18 |
Genesis 9:28 | שְׁלֹ֤שׁ | shelosh | HAcfsa |
three | three |
H7969-14 |
Genesis 11:13 | שָׁלֹ֣שׁ | shalosh | HAcfsa |
three | three |
H7969-14 |
Genesis 11:15 | שָׁלֹ֣שׁ | shalosh | HAcfsa |
three | three |
H7969-21 |
Genesis 14:4 | וּ/שְׁלֹשׁ | ushelosh | HC/Acfsa |
thirteen | and three |