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עֵקֶר

𐤏𐤒𐤓

ʻêqer

H6133 noun

SILEX Entry

Root עקר to uproot, to pluck up, to remove

Definition

Underground root system or stock of a plant; by extension, the original or foundational source, especially in a genealogical, familial, or figurative sense. In some contexts, refers to foundational lineage or ancestry; also, the essential base or root of something.

Semantic Range

root of a plant, rootstock, underground source, foundational base, origin, ancestor, stock (of people); metaphorically, an original source or foundation

Root / Etymology

From the root עקר meaning 'to uproot, pluck up, remove.' The noun form עֵקֶר designates the root or stock of a plant—its source and anchor. The derived meaning moves from literal plant roots to metaphorical senses (origin, stock, foundation).

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical usage, עֵקֶר appears rarely and usually in poetic or metaphorical contexts (e.g., Isaiah 14:30). It refers to the underground part of a plant (root, rootstock), which remains even when the visible plant is cut off—evoking persistence, origin, or the potential for regrowth. When used figuratively for people (as in reference to ancestry or 'stock'), the word points to origin or lineage, but this usage is not widespread in the Hebrew Bible. Later Hebrew sometimes extends the term to mean foundational source in broader metaphorical use. English translations often render it as 'root,' 'rootstock,' or 'stock,' which can miss subtleties of foundation or original source. In contrast to related terms like שֹׁרֶשׁ (shóresh, 'root'), עֵקֶר often denotes the surviving root mass after the main part has been removed, highlighting persistence and origin. The figurative extension to people is more prominent in post-biblical Hebrew.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from עָקַר; figuratively, a transplanted person, i.e. naturalized citizen; stock.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

עקר (ʿ-q-r) — uprooting, plucking up, removal

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H6131 עָקַר he thoroughly uprooted
H6132 עֲקַר were uprooted
H6134 עֵקֶר and Eker
H6135 עָקָר barren man
H6136 עִקַּר stump-of

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6133-01 לְ/עֵ֖קֶר leeqer HR/Ncmsc to a member to root-stock of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6133-01 Leviticus 25:47 לְ/עֵ֖קֶר leeqer HR/Ncmsc to a member to root-stock of
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