עֲשַׂר
𐤏𐤔𐤓
ʻăsar
H6236 adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
A numeral denoting the quantity ten; in Aramaic portions of the Hebrew Bible, עֲשַׂר (ʿăsar) functions as the masculine form for 'ten.' It is regularly used to form numbers in combination with other words (such as 'ten days,' 'ten cubits'), and also appears compounded in higher numerals (such as twelve or thirteen, equivalent to 'ten plus two' or 'ten plus three'). The form is specific to the Aramaic sections of the biblical text.
Semantic Range
ten (numeral), a group of ten, used in compounding to create higher numerals (e.g., twelve, thirteen) in Aramaic texts; appears as component of time, quantities, measurements
Root / Etymology
Root: ע-שׂ-ר. The word derives from the Semitic root עשר, which means 'ten' or 'to be ten.' In Hebrew, the basic numeral is עֶשֶׂר (ʿéser, feminine), with distinct forms for gender. The Aramaic עֲשַׂר (ʿăsar) is the masculine numeral and is cognate to Hebrew עשר and numerous related Semitic forms (e.g., Akkadian ešer, Ugaritic ʿšr, Arabic ʿashr).
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the canonical Hebrew Bible, עֲשַׂר (ʿăsar) occurs in the Aramaic portions, principally in Daniel and Ezra, reflecting the language shift in Judah during the late exilic and Persian periods. The usage parallels the Hebrew עֶשֶׂר, but its occurrence signals the underlying Aramaic context. Masculine and feminine distinctions are preserved in Aramaic numerals. The word regularly appears in lists, descriptions of time, and measurements. In post-biblical and modern Hebrew, the classical Hebrew forms are standard; עֲשַׂר is not used outside Aramaic. Standard English translations consistently render it as 'ten,' but do not reflect gender or the linguistic distinction between Hebrew and Aramaic forms. 'Twelve' and similar compounds use this base form in combination with additional numerals. Note that English 'Jew' may incorrectly be applied in translations or discussions for Aramaic sections related to later Judeans; the underlying text refers to ethnic or geographic identities depending on the context.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) masculine עֲשְׂרָה (Aramaic); corresponding to עֶשֶׂר; ten; ten, [phrase] twelve.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
עשר (ʿ-š-r) — ten, group of ten, make ten
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4643 | מַעֲשֵׂר | the tenth-portion |
| H6218 | עָשׂוֹר | group of ten |
| H6223 | עָשִׁיר | wealthy man |
| H6224 | עֲשִׂירִי | tenth |
| H6235 | עֶשֶׂר | ten |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6236-01 |
עֲשַׂ֑ר | asar | AAcmsa |
ten | -teen | 5 |
H6236-02 |
עַשְׂרָ֥ה | aserah | AAcbsa |
ten | she bound | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
6 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6236-01 |
Daniel 4:26 | עֲשַׂ֑ר | asar | AAcmsa |
ten | -teen |
H6236-01 |
Daniel 7:7 | עֲשַׂ֖ר | asar | AAcbsa |
ten | -teen |
H6236-01 |
Daniel 7:20 | עֲשַׂר֙ | asar | AAcbsa |
ten | -teen |
H6236-01 |
Daniel 7:24 | עֲשַׂ֔ר | asar | AAcbsa |
ten | -teen |
H6236-02 |
Daniel 7:24 | עַשְׂרָ֥ה | aserah | AAcbsa |
ten | she bound |
H6236-01 |
Ezra 6:17 | עֲשַׂ֔ר | asar | AAcbsa |
-teen |