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אֶחָד

𐤀𐤇𐤃

ʼechâd

H259 adjective

SILEX Entry

Root אחד to be one, unite, be joined

Definition

A cardinal numeral meaning 'one', indicating singularity, unity, or individual identity; used for counting, for emphasizing uniqueness or incomparability, for expressing 'each' or 'any one' within a group, and for describing unity or wholeness in both abstract and concrete senses. In construct forms or idioms, may denote 'first' or 'a certain (one)'.

Semantic Range

one (cardinal number), a single entity, united, each, every, any one, first (rare archaic), some, a certain (one), together as one, about one, alone, only, once (single instance), unique, indivisible

Root / Etymology

From the root אחד, meaning 'to be one, to unite, to join together'. אֶחָד is the regular masculine singular cardinal numeral derived from this root. The word expresses both the idea of singularity ('one') and unity ('united, together as one').

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, אֶחָד is the primary term for 'one' in counting (e.g., Genesis 1:5, 'day one'). It is used to indicate a singular member from a set (as in 'one man', 'one city'), and to underscore unity or indivisibility (as in Deuteronomy 6:4, 'YHWH is one'). The feminine form is אַחַת. Frequently used in distributive sense ('each', 'every one'), and for approximation ('about one', 'some'). The ordinal sense of 'first' is rare and primarily poetic or archaic, normally replaced by the distinct word רִאשׁוֹן ('first'). In certain idiomatic phrases (e.g., 'all as one', 'with one voice'), the concept of unity takes precedence over mere numeration. אֶחָד is distinct from similar words such as יָחַד or יַחְדָּו ('together'), which emphasize collective action rather than singular identity or unity. In later biblical and postbiblical Hebrew, אֶחָד remains the standard word for 'one', but may also function as an indefinite article ('a, an') in some late texts. English translations sometimes miss the nuance between singularity and unity, especially in theological contexts. The term does not carry the later theological connotations found in later Jewish or Christian traditions. The use of 'one' to evoke wholeness or completeness is widespread, but must be determined from context; not every usage implies metaphysical unity.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a numeral from אָחַד; properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first; a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together,

Bantu Hebrew

Language Bantu Word Transliteration Meaning
Bemba Eka one, alone, by oneself
+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

אחד (ʾ-ḥ-d) — to be one, unite, be joined

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H161 אֹהַד and Ohad
H2297 חַד one
H258 אָחַד Unite yourself
H261 אֵחוּד Ehud

Word Forms

39 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H259-11 אֶחָֽד echad HAcmsa one one 472
H259-03 אַחַת֙ achat HAcfsa one one 140
H259-14 הָֽ/אֶחָ֖ד haechad HTd/Acmsa the one the one 100
H259-12 אֶחָ֑ת echat HAcfsa one one 33
H259-15 הָֽ/אֶחָ֔ת haechat HTd/Acfsa the one the one 31
H259-01 אַחַ֥ד achad HAcmsa one one 24
H259-36 וְ/אַחַ֤ת veachat HC/Acfsa and one and one 21
H259-37 וְ/אֶחָ֥ד veechad HC/Acmsa and one and one 20
H259-13 הָֽ/אַחַת֙ haachat HTd/Acfsa the one the one 19
H259-06 בְּ/אֶחָ֣ד beechad HR/Acmsa on the first in one 18

Occurrences in Scripture

976 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H259-11 Genesis 1:5 אֶחָֽד echad HAcmsa one one
H259-11 Genesis 1:9 אֶחָ֔ד echad HAcmsa one one
H259-14 Genesis 2:11 הָֽ/אֶחָ֖ד haechad HTd/Acmsa of the one the one
H259-03 Genesis 2:21 אַחַת֙ achat HAcfsa one one
H259-11 Genesis 2:24 אֶחָֽד echad HAcmsa one one
H259-16 Genesis 3:22 כְּ/אַחַ֣ד keachad HR/Acmsc like one as one
H259-13 Genesis 4:19 הָֽ/אַחַת֙ haachat HTd/Acfsa of the one the one
H259-06 Genesis 8:5 בְּ/אֶחָ֣ד beechad HR/Acmsa on the first in one
H259-05 Genesis 8:13 בְּ/אַחַ֨ת beachat HR/Acfsa in the one in one
H259-06 Genesis 8:13 בְּ/אֶחָ֣ד beechad HR/Acmsa on the first in one
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