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אֲבֵדָה

𐤀𐤁𐤃𐤄

ʼăbêdâh

H9 noun

SILEX Entry

Root אבד to perish, to vanish, to be lost, to be destroyed

Definition

A lost item, property that has been lost or is missing; by extension, a lost possession or thing found to be missing. Primarily refers to an object that has been unintentionally separated from its owner or keeper, often with possible recovery in view. The term does not connote abstract destruction, nor does it refer to a place of the dead; rather, it is about a concrete instance of loss, most commonly discussed within legal or social contexts concerning lost-and-found property.

Semantic Range

lost item, lost property, something missing, lost possession

Root / Etymology

From the Hebrew root אבד (ʼ-b-d), meaning 'to perish, vanish, be lost, be destroyed.' The noun אֲבֵדָה is a feminine form derived from this root, signifying a thing or object which has undergone the act of being lost.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, אֲבֵדָה is used in legal contexts, particularly in discussions concerning the recovery or return of lost property (e.g., Deuteronomy 22:3, Exodus 23:4). Its use is confined to practical, concrete references (livestock, garments, or other property) rather than abstract concepts like 'destruction' in general, nor does it ever refer to the realm of the dead—a meaning found in later translations or interpretations. In Israelite law, the ethical obligation to return an אֲבֵדָה to its rightful owner is a recurring theme, underscoring solidarity and communal responsibility. This term differs from wider destruction words, such as חָרָב or שָׁמֵם, which connote ruin or desolation. The English term 'lost property' or 'lost thing' best represents its core biblical sense.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from אָבַד; Compare אֲבַדֹּה.; concrete, something lost; abstract, destruction, i.e. Hades; lost.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

אבד (ʾ-b-d) — to perish, to vanish, to be lost, to be destroyed

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H10 אֲבַדֹּה and destruction-of
H11 אֲבַדּוֹן Realm of Destruction
H12 אַבְדָן and utter ruin
H13 אׇבְדַן in ruin-of
H5648 עֲבַד he perished

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H9-01 אֲבֵדָ֗ה avedah HNcfsa lost thing she has perished 2
H9-03 הָ/אֲבֵדָ֖ה haavedah HTd/Ncfsa the lost thing the lost item 1
H9-02 אֲבֵדַ֥ת avedat HNcfsc lost thing lost item of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H9-01 Exodus 22:8 אֲבֵדָ֗ה avedah HNcfsa lost thing she has perished
H9-01 Leviticus 5:22 אֲבֵדָ֛ה avedah HNcfsa lost thing she has perished
H9-03 Leviticus 5:23 הָ/אֲבֵדָ֖ה haavedah HTd/Ncfsa the lost thing the lost item
H9-02 Deuteronomy 22:3 אֲבֵדַ֥ת avedat HNcfsc lost thing lost item of
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