אָנַס
𐤀𐤍𐤎
ʼânaç
H597 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To force, coerce, or compel someone to act against their will; typically used in contexts implying the exercise of overwhelming pressure or authority that leaves the subject with little to no choice. This term appears especially in situations of coercion, legal compulsion, or imposition of will.
Semantic Range
to force, to compel, to coerce, to insist with authority, to apply legal or societal pressure
Root / Etymology
Root is אנס, a verb form. The core meaning of the root is to force or exert compulsion. The specific verb אָנַס (ʼânaç) directly carries the sense of compulsion or coercion.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The verb אָנַס is rare in the Hebrew Bible, attested only in later texts such as Esther (e.g., Esth 1:8, 'there was no compulsion/oness') and possibly in some post-biblical Hebrew. Its late appearance suggests possible foreign influence or development within post-exilic Persian context. Ancient Israelite texts more commonly use other roots to express force or violence (e.g., חזק 'to seize', לחץ 'to oppress'). אָנַס emphasizes the application of authority or external pressure, distinct from more general terms for violence. Standard English translations like 'compel' or 'force' capture the basic meaning but may miss the specific association with official or societal pressure found in late biblical usage. In later Jewish tradition (Rabbinic Hebrew), אונס (ones) developed as the technical term for coercion—especially in legal contexts (compelled consent)—a nuance that already emerges in the biblical occurrences. This term is not attested in pre-exilic sources.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
to insist; compel.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
אנס (ʾ-n-s) — to force, to coerce, to compel
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H598 | אֲנַס | one who compels |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H597-01 |
אֹנֵ֑ס | ones | HVqrmsa |
compelling | the one who compels | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H597-01 |
Esther 1:8 | אֹנֵ֑ס | ones | HVqrmsa |
compelling | the one who compels |