שָׁלוֹשׁ

𐤔𐤋𐤅𐤔

shâlôwsh

H7969 adjective

SILEX Entry

Root שלש to be three, to divide into three, triply

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

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Root 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