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אַזְכָּרָה

𐤀𐤆𐤊𐤓𐤄

ʼazkârâh

H234 noun

SILEX Entry

Root זכר to remember, to mention, to recall

Definition

A portion of a grain offering, or sometimes incense, designated to be burned on the altar as a memorial element, signifying a symbolic act of 'bringing to remembrance' before God. The term specifically refers to the part set aside for sacrificial burning, distinguishing it from the rest of the offering consumed or distributed. In ritual contexts, it functions as a ritualized act of remembrance within the sacrificial system; outside the cultic sense, the word does not occur.

Semantic Range

memorial portion of a grain offering, memorial portion of incense, symbolic act of remembrance in the sacrificial system; never a general commemoration or memory, but strictly the ritual act effected by burning the prescribed portion on the altar

Root / Etymology

Root: זכר (z-k-r), meaning 'to remember, recall, mention.' אַזְכָּרָה derives from this root and is constructed as a feminine noun with the mem-prefix (az-), suggestive of the concept of memorializing or causing remembrance.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the priestly sacrificial system (primarily in Leviticus and Numbers), אַזְכָּרָה consistently denotes the portion of grain (minḥah) or incense (qĕṭōret) offerings that is burned on the altar. This 'memorial portion' serves a symbolic ritual purpose: it does not merely remind human participants or God, but marks the offering as acknowledged and accepted, effecting a ritual act of 'remembrance' by the deity. English terms like 'memorial portion' or 'memorial offering' partially capture its role, but only within the context of prescribed sacrifices. The term is not used for general acts of remembrance or monuments. In later Jewish (and English Bible) usage, 'memorial' sometimes acquires commemorative connotations, but in ancient priestly texts, the function is narrower and specifically cultic. The word occurs mostly in priestly texts (Pentateuch), ceasing after the biblical period. There is no direct parallel in non-cultic language; thus, standard translations ('memorial', 'memorial offering', etc.) may risk anachronistic associations if not rooted in sacrificial context. It is distinct from זִכָּרוֹן (zikārôn), which can mean a physical memorial or remembrance in both cultic and non-cultic contexts.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from זָכַר; a reminder; specifically remembrance-offering; memorial.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

זכר (z-k-r) — to remember, to recall, to mention

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1798 דְּכַר male rams
H2138 זָכוּר her male
H2139 זַכּוּר and Remembered-one
H2142 זָכַר I will cause to be remembered
H2143 זֵכֶר for remembrance of

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H234-01 אַזְכָּרָתָ/הּ֙ azekaratah HNcfsc/Sp3fs its memorial portion her remembrance-portion 6
H234-02 לְ/אַזְכָּרָ֔ה leazekarah HR/Ncfsa a memorial for a remembrance-portion 1

Occurrences in Scripture

7 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H234-01 Leviticus 2:2 אַזְכָּרָתָ/הּ֙ azekaratah HNcfsc/Sp3fs its memorial portion her remembrance-portion
H234-01 Leviticus 2:9 אַזְכָּ֣רָתָ֔/הּ azekaratah HNcfsc/Sp3fs its memorial portion her remembrance-portion
H234-01 Leviticus 2:16 אַזְכָּרָתָ֗/הּ azekaratah HNcfsc/Sp3fs its memorial portion her remembrance-portion
H234-01 Leviticus 5:12 אַזְכָּרָתָ/ה֙ azekaratah HNcfsc/Sp3fs memorial portion her remembrance-portion
H234-01 Leviticus 6:8 אַזְכָּרָתָ֖/הּ azekaratah HNcfsc/Sp3fs memorial-portion-of-it her remembrance-portion
H234-02 Leviticus 24:7 לְ/אַזְכָּרָ֔ה leazekarah HR/Ncfsa a memorial for a remembrance-portion
H234-01 Numbers 5:26 אַזְכָּ֣רָתָ֔/הּ azekaratah HNcfsc/Sp3fs its memorial portion her remembrance-portion
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