אֶמֶשׁ
𐤀𐤌𐤔
ʼemesh
H570 adverb
SILEX Entry
Definition
ʻEmesh refers specifically to the immediate past day or night, often meaning 'yesterday' or 'last night.' In broader usage, it can signify the most recent period prior to the present, distinguishing the previous day or the night before from today. In rare contexts, it may constitute a reference to a period slightly further in the past, but always with a direct connection to the current day or night.
Semantic Range
yesterday, last night, previous period (immediate past), prior day, preceding night
Root / Etymology
Root uncertain, though possible connection with a Semitic root for 'last night' or 'past time' is suggested in comparative linguistics. The term may be a contraction or fossilized form, as similar words appear in related Semitic languages (e.g., Ugaritic ms–, Akkadian mīšu).
Historical & Contextual Notes
אֶמֶשׁ appears rarely in the Hebrew Bible (e.g., Gen 19:34; Job 30:3; Ps 90:4), and always refers to the period immediately preceding the one under discussion. It differs from יוֹם אֶתְמוֹל (yom etmol), which can mean 'formerly' or 'previous days,' by focusing specifically on the last day or night. In some contexts, the English 'yesterday' or 'last night' adequately renders its meaning, but the Hebrew term more precisely draws a temporal line between immediate past and present. The term shows no significant shift in meaning across Israelite history and is not used to refer to a vague or remote past. Where English translations sometimes supply 'yesterday,' the nuance might include 'last night' as well, depending on context.
Translation Consistency
ʼEmesh denotes the immediate past day/night (the previous day or last night). "Yesterday" is the most natural, specific English adverb to convey that immediate-past meaning; it avoids the ambiguity of the adjective/adverb "last" and provides consistent, natural phrasing across all occurrences.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
time past, i.e.; yesterday or last night; former time, yesterday(-night)
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
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אמש (ʾ-m-sh) — immediate past, preceding day, preceding night
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H570-02 |
אֶ֖מֶשׁ | emesh | HD |
last night | yesterday | last night | 4 |
H570-01 |
אָֽמֶשׁ | amesh | HD |
last night | yesterday | last night | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H570-02 |
Genesis 19:34 | אֶ֖מֶשׁ | emesh | HD |
last night | yesterday | last night |
H570-02 |
Genesis 31:29 | אֶ֣מֶשׁ | emesh | HD |
last night | yesterday | last night |
H570-01 |
Genesis 31:42 | אָֽמֶשׁ | amesh | HD |
last night | yesterday | last night |
H570-02 |
2 Kings 9:26 | אֶ֨מֶשׁ֙ | emesh | HD |
yesterday | yesterday | yesterday |
H570-02 |
Job 30:3 | אֶ֝֗מֶשׁ | emesh | HD |
by night | yesterday | last night |