אֲמַר

𐤀𐤌𐤓

ʼămar

H560 verb

SILEX Entry

Root אמר to say, to speak, to declare

Definition

(Aramaic) To say, speak, declare, express, utter verbally; to command or instruct in speech. Primarily denotes the act of verbal communication, either direct or reported, with applications both to ordinary speaking and to official proclamation or instruction. Context may emphasize the act of stating, requesting, commanding, or narrating.

Semantic Range

to say, to speak, to utter, to declare, to proclaim, to command, to instruct, to tell, to express

Root / Etymology

Aramaic verb corresponding to the Hebrew root א-מ-ר, which means 'to say, speak'. Derived directly from the same Semitic root, but reflects normal phonological and morphological features of Aramaic verbal forms. See especially the Pe‘al stem usage in Imperial and Official Aramaic as seen in biblical texts.

Historical & Contextual Notes

As a basic verb of speech, אֲמַר is used throughout the Aramaic portions of the Hebrew Bible (notably Daniel and Ezra) to introduce direct and indirect quotations, narrative speech, official pronouncements, and instructions. It functions analogously to Hebrew אָמַר, though phonologically Aramaic. The word appears across various dialects of Aramaic and is the standard verb for 'to say' in those contexts, used for both common speech and the declarations of rulers or officials. In official documents and royal proclamations, it may be closely associated with decrees or responses. The semantic scope of אֲמַר is somewhat broader than the typical English 'say,' also encompassing 'proclaim' or 'declare' in certain formulaic contexts. English translations sometimes render it as 'command' when the verb carries imperatival force, though the basic meaning remains 'to speak' or 'to say.' Later translations (including those in the KJV tradition) often supply additional terms for clarity, which can over-specify the context; in the Aramaic narrative, אֲמַר simply marks speech or verbal assertion. There is no significant shift in meaning between the pre-exilic and exilic periods within biblical Aramaic usage, though extra-biblical inscriptions occasionally show specific administrative or judicial nuances.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) corresponding to אָמַר; {to say (used with great latitude)}; command, declare, say, speak, tell.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

אמר (ʾ-m-r) — to say, to speak, to utter

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H201 אוֹמָר Omar
H3982 מַאֲמַר authoritative declaration of
H3983 מֵאמַר according to decree-of
H534 אָמִיר prominent summit
H559 אָמַר he said

Word Forms

16 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H560-13 וְ/אָמַ֣ר veamar AC/Vqrmsa and said and he said 24
H560-01 אֲמַר amar AVqrmsa said he said 13
H560-14 וְ/אָמְרִ֑ין veamerin AC/Vqrmpa and saying and speaking ones 8
H560-05 אָֽמְרִין֙ amerin AVqrmpa they were saying the ones speaking 6
H560-11 וַ/אֲמַר֙ vaamar AC/Vqp3ms and he said and he said 4
H560-06 אֱמַ֥ר emar AVqv2ms tell Say! 3
H560-16 יֵאמַ֥ר yemar AVqi3ms speaks he will say 2
H560-08 לְ/מֵאמַ֣ר lememar AR/Vqc to say to say 2
H560-02 אֲמַ֣רְנָא amarena AVqp1cp we said we said 2
H560-09 נֵאמַ֥ר nemar AVqi1cp we will tell we will say 1

Occurrences in Scripture

71 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H560-10 Jeremiah 10:11 תֵּאמְר֣וּן temerun AVqi2mp you shall say you will say
H560-06 Daniel 2:4 אֱמַ֥ר emar AVqv2ms tell Say!
H560-13 Daniel 2:5 וְ/אָמַ֣ר veamar AC/Vqrmsa and said and he said
H560-14 Daniel 2:7 וְ/אָמְרִ֑ין veamerin AC/Vqrmpa and said and speaking ones
H560-16 Daniel 2:7 יֵאמַ֥ר yemar AVqi3ms tell he will say
H560-13 Daniel 2:8 וְ/אָמַ֔ר veamar AC/Vqrmsa and said and he said
H560-08 Daniel 2:9 לְ/מֵאמַ֣ר lememar AR/Vqc to say to say
H560-07 Daniel 2:9 אֱמַ֣רוּ emaru AVqv2mp tell Speak, you men!
H560-14 Daniel 2:10 וְ/אָ֣מְרִ֔ין veamerin AC/Vqrmpa and saying and speaking ones
H560-11 Daniel 2:12 וַ/אֲמַר֙ vaamar AC/Vqp3ms and commanded and he said