עֲמָשַׂי
𐤏𐤌𐤔𐤉
Amasay
H6022 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A personal name designating several individuals in the Hebrew Bible, typically rendered as 'Amasai.' The underlying sense is likely connected to the notion of bearing a load, whether literal or figurative, such as responsibility, strength, or endurance. The meaning of the name in its original context may be 'burdensome,' 'burden-bearer,' or 'one who carries (a burden).' Lexical meaning is that of a proper noun, not a descriptive title; thus, contextually it refers to distinct Israelite individuals.
Semantic Range
personal name; one who bears; burden-bearer; (as a proper noun) refers specifically to several men in biblical narratives
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root עמס (ʿ-m-s), meaning 'to carry a load, bear a burden.' The name עֲמָשַׂי (ʻĂmâsay) is a theophoric or descriptive personal name formed from the root, likely connoting 'one who bears' or 'burden-bearer.' This construction is typical of Hebrew anthroponyms based on root meaning, sometimes signifying character or hoped-for trait.
Historical & Contextual Notes
עֲמָשַׂי (ʻĂmâsay) is attested as the name of at least three different men in the Hebrew Bible: a leader among those who joined David at Ziklag (1 Chronicles 12:18[17]); a musician or priest involved in bringing the Ark to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 15:24); and a father of a Levite (2 Chronicles 29:12). All bear the name during the monarchic and early post-exilic periods. In English translations and tradition, the name is consistently rendered as 'Amasai,' sometimes anachronistically subsumed under later terminology as 'Jew.' However, each figure is Israelite or Levite by identity, predating the later religious/ethnic distinction implied by 'Jew.' The root meaning of 'burden' in the name does not imply disparagement, but rather may denote strength, endurance, or capacity—qualities valued among ancient Israelites. The name is unrelated to later terms for Judean or Jewish identity. Other Hebrew names based on the same root include עָמָס ('Amas'), though with different nuances. No evidence suggests the name survived in use beyond biblical or early Second Temple periods.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from עָמַס; burdensome; Amasai, the name of three Israelites; Amasai.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
עמס (ʿ-m-s) — to carry, to bear a load, to bear responsibility
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4614 | מַעֲמָסָה | burdensomeness |
| H5986 | עָמוֹס | Amos |
| H6006 | עָמַס | loaded-down ones |
| H6007 | עֲמַסְיָה | Yah Has Borne |
| H6021 | עֲמָשָׂא | Burden-Bearer |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6022-01 |
עֲמָשַׂ֖י | amasay | HNp |
Amasai | Burden-Bearer | 4 |
H6022-02 |
וַ/עֲמָשַׂ֡י | vaamasay | HC/Np |
and Amasai | and Burden-Bearer | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6022-01 |
1 Chronicles 6:10 | עֲמָשַׂ֖י | amasay | HNp |
Amashai | Burden-Bearer |
H6022-01 |
1 Chronicles 6:20 | עֲמָשָֽׂי | amasay | HNp |
Amashai | Burden-Bearer |
H6022-01 |
1 Chronicles 12:19 | עֲמָשַׂי֮ | amasay | HNp |
Amasai | Burden-Bearer |
H6022-02 |
1 Chronicles 15:24 | וַ/עֲמָשַׂ֡י | vaamasay | HC/Np |
and Amasai | and Burden-Bearer |
H6022-01 |
2 Chronicles 29:12 | עֲמָשַׂ֞י | amasay | HNp |
Amasai | Burden-Bearer |