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אַמְתַּחַת

𐤀𐤌𐤕𐤇𐤕

ʼamtachath

H572 noun

SILEX Entry

Root מתח to stretch, to spread out, to extend

Definition

A large sack or bag, typically made of coarse material, used for carrying or storing items such as grain or provisions. The term generally refers to a container for bulk goods, often used in both domestic and travel contexts.

Semantic Range

bag, sack, large container for grain or provisions, a vessel for storage or transport

Root / Etymology

The term derives from the root מָתַח (to stretch, spread out) with the prefixed aleph indicating a noun of instrument or result. Thus, אַמְתַּחַת denotes something that 'is stretched out' or 'spreads out' — i.e., a sack or bag formed from material stretched into shape.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, אַמְתַּחַת appears in narratives such as Genesis 42–44, most notably in the story of Joseph and his brothers, where it denotes the sacks used by Jacob's sons to transport grain from Egypt. These bags could carry a significant quantity, pointing to both their functional size and the socioeconomic context required for their use. The material is not always specified but would usually be woven fabric or animal skin. Unlike the word צִקְלוֹן (qiklon, 'small bag' or 'satchel'), אַמְתַּחַת typically refers to a more substantial, utilitarian sack. English translations often render the word as 'sack' or 'bag,' but may not convey the sense of its size or typical use in interregional commerce. The term does not carry ritual or symbolic connotations; its meaning remained stable from the patriarchal through the exilic period, always denoting a practical object of everyday or commercial use.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from מָתַח; properly, something expansive, i.e. a bag; sack.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

מתח (m-t-ḥ) — to stretch, to spread out, to extend

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4969 מָתַח and he stretched them

Word Forms

9 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H572-02 אַמְתַּחְתּֽ/וֹ ametacheto HNcfsc/Sp3ms his sack his stretched-out sack 5
H572-05 אַמְתְּחֹתֵ֔י/נוּ ametechoteynu HNcfpc/Sp1cp our sacks our stretched-out sacks 2
H572-08 בְּ/אַמְתְּחֹתֵ֨י/נוּ֙ beametechoteynu HR/Ncfpc/Sp1cp in our sacks in our stretched sacks 2
H572-07 בְּ/אַמְתְּחֹ֣תֵי/כֶ֔ם beametechoteykhem HR/Ncfpc/Sp2mp in your sacks in your stretched-out sacks 1
H572-01 אַמְתַּ֣חַת ametachat HNcfsc the sack stretched-out sack of 1
H572-06 בְּ/אַמְתַּ֖חַת beametachat HR/Ncfsc in the sack of stretched-out sack of 1
H572-09 בְ/אַמְתַּחְתִּ֑/י veametacheti HR/Ncfsc/Sp1cs in my sack in my stretched-out sack 1
H572-03 אַמְתְּחֹ֤ת ametechot HNcfpc sacks stretched-out sacks of 1
H572-04 אַמְתְּחֹֽתֵי/כֶם֙ ametechoteykhem HNcfpc/Sp2mp your sacks your stretched-out sacks 1

Occurrences in Scripture

15 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H572-02 Genesis 42:27 אַמְתַּחְתּֽ/וֹ ametacheto HNcfsc/Sp3ms his sack his stretched-out sack
H572-09 Genesis 42:28 בְ/אַמְתַּחְתִּ֑/י veametacheti HR/Ncfsc/Sp1cs in my sack in my stretched-out sack
H572-04 Genesis 43:12 אַמְתְּחֹֽתֵי/כֶם֙ ametechoteykhem HNcfpc/Sp2mp your sacks your stretched-out sacks
H572-08 Genesis 43:18 בְּ/אַמְתְּחֹתֵ֨י/נוּ֙ beametechoteynu HR/Ncfpc/Sp1cp in our sacks in our stretched sacks
H572-05 Genesis 43:21 אַמְתְּחֹתֵ֔י/נוּ ametechoteynu HNcfpc/Sp1cp our sacks our stretched-out sacks
H572-02 Genesis 43:21 אַמְתַּחְתּ֔/וֹ ametacheto HNcfsc/Sp3ms his sack his stretched-out sack
H572-08 Genesis 43:22 בְּ/אַמְתְּחֹתֵֽי/נוּ beametechoteynu HR/Ncfpc/Sp1cp in our sacks in our stretched sacks
H572-07 Genesis 43:23 בְּ/אַמְתְּחֹ֣תֵי/כֶ֔ם beametechoteykhem HR/Ncfpc/Sp2mp in your sacks in your stretched-out sacks
H572-03 Genesis 44:1 אַמְתְּחֹ֤ת ametechot HNcfpc sacks stretched-out sacks of
H572-02 Genesis 44:1 אַמְתַּחְתּֽ/וֹ ametacheto HNcfsc/Sp3ms his sack his stretched-out sack
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