עֵץ
𐤏𐤑
ʻêts
H6086 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Tree; also by extension, wood as a material, or a piece of wood, stick, timber, or log. The term primarily denotes a growing tree, but in many contexts refers to wood in general or to objects made of wood. Its semantic range includes living trees, wooden structures or instruments, carved wooden objects, and the material itself.
Semantic Range
tree, trees; wood (material); piece of wood, stick, staff, log, plank, timber; wooden object; object made of wood; gallows; pole; sometimes metaphorical for idolatry or in allegorical uses
Root / Etymology
From the root עץ (ע-ץ), which in its verbal form (not attested in biblical Hebrew) seems to mean 'to be firm, hard.' The noun עֵץ carries the idea of something firm or strong, hence denoting a tree as a symbol of firmness, and by extension, the material (wood) or objects fashioned from wood. The root is consistent across Semitic languages with similar meanings related to trees or wood.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, עֵץ regularly refers to trees in both literal and figurative senses. It denotes trees as living plants, significant in genealogical and agricultural contexts, as in the 'tree of life' (עֵץ הַחַיִּים) or 'tree of knowledge' (עֵץ הַדַּעַת). The term is also widely used for wood as a material, either as timber for construction, fuel for burning, or for making tools, staffs, weapons, idols, and ritual objects. In legal and ritual texts, distinctions are sometimes made between different species of trees (fruit-bearing or not), but the generic עֵץ often functions in contrast to other materials such as stone, metal, or earth. In later periods (Second Temple and beyond), עֵץ retains broad usage while more specific terms for types of trees or wood develop. Though the KJV and other English translations often render עֵץ as 'tree' or 'wood,' such renderings may overlook its broader application to anything made from wood, including gallows, staffs, or wooden idols. Notably, in Esther 5–7, עֵץ is used for the structure upon which Haman is hanged—translated as 'gallows,' though literally 'wood' or 'timber.' The term does not indicate a particular tree species unless specified in context. It should not be confused with other terms like לֶבֶן (poplar), אֶרֶז (cedar), or שָׁקֵד (almond tree), which specify types of trees. Some later traditions and translations render it in ways reflecting their own historical contexts, such as 'cross,' 'gallows,' or 'staff,' but the basic sense remains unchanged in biblical usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from עָצָה; a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks); [phrase] carpenter, gallows, helve, [phrase] pine, plank, staff, stalk, stick, stock, timber, tree, wood.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
עץ (ʿ-ṣ) — firmness, strength, wood
Word Forms
34 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6086-07 |
עֵ֣ץ | ets | HNcmsc |
tree | wood-tree of | 109 |
H6086-01 |
עֲצֵי | atsey | HNcmpc |
trees of | trees of | 58 |
H6086-15 |
הָ/עֵ֛ץ | haets | HTd/Ncmsa |
the tree | the tree | 31 |
H6086-16 |
הָ/עֵצִ֑ים | haetsim | HTd/Ncmpa |
the trees | the trees | 30 |
H6086-14 |
עֵצִ֖ים | etsim | HNcmpa |
wood | trees | 28 |
H6086-31 |
וְ/עֵ֧ץ | veets | HC/Ncmsa |
and tree | and tree | 15 |
H6086-02 |
בַּ/עֲצֵ֥י | baatsey | HR/Ncmpc |
among the trees | trees of | 8 |
H6086-29 |
וַ/עֲצֵ֥י | vaatsey | HC/Ncmpc |
and trees of | and trees of | 6 |
H6086-21 |
לָ/עֵצִֽים | laetsim | HRd/Ncmpa |
for the wood | to the trees | 4 |
H6086-33 |
וְ/עֵצִים֙ | veetsim | HC/Ncmpa |
and wood | and trees | 4 |
Occurrences in Scripture
330 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6086-07 |
Genesis 1:11 | עֵ֣ץ | ets | HNcmsc |
tree | wood-tree of |
H6086-31 |
Genesis 1:12 | וְ/עֵ֧ץ | veets | HC/Ncmsa |
and tree | and tree |
H6086-15 |
Genesis 1:29 | הָ/עֵ֛ץ | haets | HTd/Ncmsa |
tree | the tree |
H6086-07 |
Genesis 1:29 | עֵ֖ץ | ets | HNcmsa |
of a tree | wood-tree of |
H6086-07 |
Genesis 2:9 | עֵ֛ץ | ets | HNcmsa |
tree | wood-tree of |
H6086-31 |
Genesis 2:9 | וְ/עֵ֤ץ | veets | HC/Ncmsc |
and the tree | and tree |
H6086-31 |
Genesis 2:9 | וְ/עֵ֕ץ | veets-2 | HC/Ncmsc |
and the tree | and tree |
H6086-07 |
Genesis 2:16 | עֵֽץ | ets | HNcmsc |
tree | wood-tree of |
H6086-25 |
Genesis 2:17 | וּ/מֵ/עֵ֗ץ | umeets | HC/R/Ncmsc |
but from the tree | and from wood of |
H6086-07 |
Genesis 3:1 | עֵ֥ץ | ets | HNcmsc |
tree | wood-tree of |