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אֵיבָה

𐤀𐤉𐤁𐤄

ʼêybâh

H342 noun

SILEX Entry

Root איב to be hostile, to be an enemy, to be antagonistic

Definition

A state or attitude of active hostility, enmity, or animosity, denoting antagonism between individuals or groups. The term encompasses both inward dispositions of hatred or ill will and the outward expression or condition of being at odds with another party. In certain contexts, it can refer to the persistent, ongoing nature of animosity or adversarial relations.

Semantic Range

hostility, enmity, animosity, state of hatred, antagonism, adversarial relationship

Root / Etymology

From the root איב (ʼ-y-b), meaning 'to be hostile' or 'to be an enemy.' The noun form אֵיבָה derives from the verbal root and concretizes the abstract concept of hostility or enmity. The base root refers to personal or group animosity and adversarial relations rather than mere dislike.

Historical & Contextual Notes

אֵיבָה appears both in references to inter-personal conflict (Genesis 3:15) and to animosity between larger groups such as peoples or nations (Ezekiel 25:15). In the Genesis account, it denotes the divinely ordained enmity between the serpent and the woman, setting a paradigmatic precedent for conflict. In prophetic and legal contexts, it may denote the state of ongoing hostilities, not simply a one-time act or emotion. The term is distinct from related words such as שִׂנְאָה (sin'ah, 'hatred'), in that אֵיבָה specifically frames relationship as one of opposition or antagonism, rather than general aversion. In post-exilic and later Hebrew, the term retains its meaning of adversarial relationship, and the nuance can include both internal disposition and outward conflict. Standard English translations as 'enmity' or 'hostility' are generally accurate, but may not capture the persistent or mutual nature implied in biblical contexts.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from אָיַב; hostility; emnity, hatred.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

איב (ʾ-y-b) — to be hostile, to be an enemy, to be antagonistic

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H340 אָיַב and I will act as an enemy
H341 אֹיֵב among hostile-ones of
H347 אִיּוֹב in Iyov

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H342-03 וְ/אֵיבָ֣ה veeyvah HC/Ncfsa and enmity hostility 2
H342-02 אֵיבַ֥ת eyvat HNcfsc enmity hostility of 2
H342-01 אֵיבָ֖ה eyvah HNcfsa enmity hostility 1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H342-03 Genesis 3:15 וְ/אֵיבָ֣ה veeyvah HC/Ncfsa and enmity hostility
H342-03 Numbers 35:21 בְ/אֵיבָ֞ה veeyvah HR/Ncfsa in enmity hostility
H342-01 Numbers 35:22 אֵיבָ֖ה eyvah HNcfsa enmity hostility
H342-02 Ezekiel 25:15 אֵיבַ֥ת eyvat HNcfsc hatred hostility of
H342-02 Ezekiel 35:5 אֵיבַ֣ת eyvat HNcfsc enmity hostility of
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