אַחֵר
𐤀𐤇𐤓
ʼachêr
H312 adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
An adjective designating what is distinct, different, or additional, often in the sense of 'another,' 'other,' or 'different.' It is used to distinguish one entity from another of the same kind, or to indicate something subsequent or following in order or time. In some contexts, it can indicate what is 'strange' or 'foreign' (i.e., not belonging to the group in view).
Semantic Range
other, another, different, following, subsequent, next, strange (in the sense of other or foreign); used of people, things, days, gods, entities distinguished from others
Root / Etymology
From the root אחר (׳ʾḥr), which fundamentally expresses concepts of what is behind, following, or subsequent. The form אַחֵר is an adjective derived from this root, marking distinction, alteration, or succession.
Historical & Contextual Notes
אַחֵר occurs widely across biblical Hebrew, often in opposition to 'the same,' to indicate a person, entity, or thing that is different or secondary with respect to another. While sometimes used to contrast individuals (as in 'another man' or 'a different king'), it may also refer to subsequent time ('the next day'), or entities outside a defined group ('strange gods', i.e., deities not worshiped by Israel). In this last sense, English translations may render אַחֵר as 'foreign' or 'strange,' but the underlying semantic core is simply 'other' rather than specifically 'alien.' The term serves as a key word in expressions that contrast the exclusivity of YHWH versus 'other gods' (e.g., Exodus 20:3). Its usage is consistent from the monarchic through post-exilic periods. In later periods, derivatives of the root develop more specialized senses, but in biblical Hebrew its range remains broad. An important contrast exists between אַחֵר and זָר (strange, foreign), the latter pointing more distinctly to what is foreign or alien, while אַחֵר is more neutral, meaning simply 'other' or 'another.'
Translation Consistency
'Other' is the most frequent and natural English rendering of אַחֵר, covering the primary senses (other, another, different, next, strange/foreign). As an adjective/pronominal form it can function attributively or pronominally and can supply 'another' in context (e.g. 'the other one' → 'another'). Choosing 'other' ensures consistent, natural translations across the full semantic range while remaining flexible for idiomatic English.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from אָחַר; properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc.; (an-) other man, following, next, strange.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
אחר (ʾ-ḥ-r) — to be behind, to be after, to be following, to be different
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H268 | אָחוֹר | rear |
| H309 | אָחַר | he delayed |
| H310 | אַחַר | after, behind |
| H311 | אַחַר | behind / after |
| H313 | אַחֵר | another one |
Word Forms
13 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H312-03 |
אֲחֵרִ֑ים | acherim | HAampa |
other | other ones | other ones | 76 |
H312-01 |
אַחֵ֔ר | acher | HAamsa |
another | another (masculine) | other (masculine) | 48 |
H312-02 |
אַחֶ֔רֶת | acheret | HAafsa |
another | another, different | other | 13 |
H312-07 |
הָ/אַחֶֽרֶת | haacheret | HTd/Aafsa |
the other | the other one | the other one | 6 |
H312-05 |
אֲחֵרֽוֹת | acherot | HAafpa |
other | other ones | other ones | 5 |
H312-09 |
לַ/אֲחֵרִ֔ים | laacherim | HR/Aampa |
to others | to other ones | to other ones | 5 |
H312-10 |
לְ/אַחֵ֣ר | leacher | HR/Aamsa |
to another | to another | to other | 3 |
H312-06 |
הָ/אַחֵ֗ר | haacher | HTd/Aamsa |
the other | the other one | the other one | 3 |
H312-12 |
וְ/אַחֵ֣ר | veacher | HC/Aamsa |
and-another | and another | and another | 3 |
H312-04 |
אֲחֵרִֽין | acherin | HAampa |
others | other ones | others | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
166 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H312-01 |
Genesis 4:25 | אַחֵ֔ר | acher | HAamsa |
another | another (masculine) | other (masculine) |
H312-03 |
Genesis 8:10 | אֲחֵרִ֑ים | acherim | HAampa |
more | other ones | other ones |
H312-03 |
Genesis 8:12 | אֲחֵרִ֑ים | acherim | HAampa |
more | other ones | other ones |
H312-07 |
Genesis 17:21 | הָ/אַחֶֽרֶת | haacheret | HTd/Aafsa |
next | the other one | the next |
H312-02 |
Genesis 26:21 | אַחֶ֔רֶת | acheret | HAafsa |
another | another, different | other |
H312-02 |
Genesis 26:22 | אַחֶ֔רֶת | acheret | HAafsa |
another | another, different | other |
H312-01 |
Genesis 29:19 | אַחֵ֑ר | acher | HAamsa |
another | another (masculine) | other (masculine) |
H312-05 |
Genesis 29:27 | אֲחֵרֽוֹת | acherot | HAafpa |
other | other ones | other ones |
H312-05 |
Genesis 29:30 | אֲחֵרֽוֹת | acherot | HAafpa |
another | other ones | other ones |
H312-01 |
Genesis 30:24 | אַחֵֽר | acher | HAamsa |
another | another (masculine) | other (masculine) |