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אָחוֹר

𐤀𐤇𐤅𐤓

ʼâchôwr

H268 noun

SILEX Entry

Root אחר to be behind, to come after, to defer, to follow

Definition

(Noun, Adverb) The part that is behind; the rear, the back side or region. By extension, in spatial expressions, 'behind' or 'backwards' in relation to a point of orientation. Also used to denote the western direction based on facing eastward. Temporally, refers to what comes after, later, or in the future. In certain idiomatic uses, expresses 'without' or 'lacking behind.'

Semantic Range

back, rear, backside, behind, backwards, after, hereafter, west (direction), later, in the future, without (idiomatic), to return (idiomatic)

Root / Etymology

From the root אחר (א־ח־ר), meaning 'to be behind, to come after, to defer.' The noun forms (אָחוֹר) stem from this root and pertain to the concept of being at the back or following after.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical Hebrew, אָחוֹר is primarily used in spatial contexts to describe the rear or backside of a person, object, or group, often indicating a position relative to something else (e.g., 'behind him'). It is also employed in temporal expressions to signify 'afterward' or in the future ('hereafter'). The use of אָחוֹר to designate the west is due to the ancient Israelite geospatial orientation: people facing east would have their backs (אָחוֹר) to the west. In idiomatic constructions (e.g., לֹא יָשׁוּב אָחוֹר 'he shall not return back'), it means 'to return' or 'to go back.' Occasionally, it is used in the sense of withholding or not possessing. This word should not be confused with אֲחוֹרֵי (achoréy), a preposition meaning 'behind,' though the forms are related. Over time, the spatial sense remained primary, but the temporal and directional meanings reflect broader conceptual metaphors in Hebrew thinking. Most English translations capture only the spatial or directional senses, sometimes losing the temporal or metaphorical nuances found in Hebrew usage.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or (shortened) אָחֹר ; from אֲחִירַע; the hinder part; hence (adverb) behind, backward; also (as facing north) the West; after(-ward), back (part, -side, -ward), hereafter, (be-) hind(-er part), time to come, without.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

אחר (ʾ-ḥ-r) — to be behind, to come after, to follow, to defer

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H309 אָחַר he delayed
H310 אַחַר after, behind
H311 אַחַר behind / after
H312 אַחֵר another (masculine)
H313 אַחֵר another one

Word Forms

9 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H268-01 אָחֽוֹר achor HNcmsa backward rear 24
H268-06 לְ/אָח֔וֹר leachor HR/Ncmsa backward to the rear 5
H268-09 וְ/אָח֑וֹר veachor HC/Ncmsa and behind and rear 4
H268-04 אֲחֹֽרֵי/הֶ֖ם achoreyhem HNcmpc/Sp3mp behind-them their backs 3
H268-05 בְּ/אָח֥וֹר beachor HR/Ncmsa in the end in the rear 1
H268-02 אֲחֹרָ֑/י achoray HNcmpc/Sp1cs my back my rear parts 1
H268-08 וּ/מֵֽ/אָח֑וֹר umeachor HC/R/Ncmsa and from behind and from behind 1
H268-03 אֲחֹרֵ֥י achorey HR the back behind 1
H268-07 מֵֽ/אָח֔וֹר meachor HR/Ncmsa from behind from the rear 1

Occurrences in Scripture

41 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H268-01 Genesis 49:17 אָחֽוֹר achor HNcmsa backward rear
H268-03 Exodus 26:12 אֲחֹרֵ֥י achorey HR the back behind
H268-02 Exodus 33:23 אֲחֹרָ֑/י achoray HNcmpc/Sp1cs my back my rear parts
H268-01 2 Samuel 1:22 אָח֑וֹר achor HNcmsa backward rear
H268-08 2 Samuel 10:9 וּ/מֵֽ/אָח֑וֹר umeachor HC/R/Ncmsa and from behind and from behind
H268-04 1 Kings 7:25 אֲחֹֽרֵי/הֶ֖ם achoreyhem HNcmpc/Sp3mp behind-them their backs
H268-01 Isaiah 1:4 אָחֽוֹר achor HNcmsa backward rear
H268-07 Isaiah 9:11 מֵֽ/אָח֔וֹר meachor HR/Ncmsa from behind from the rear
H268-01 Isaiah 28:13 אָחוֹר֙ achor HNcmsa backward rear
H268-06 Isaiah 41:23 לְ/אָח֔וֹר leachor HR/Ncmsa hereafter to the rear
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