עָתַד
𐤏𐤕𐤃
ʻâthad
H6257 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To arrange, make ready, prepare; with extensions to furnish, equip, or make something suitable for a purpose. The verb often describes practical preparation or arranging of people, objects, or actions in advance of an event. In some contexts, it carries the sense of rendering something appropriate, suitable, or fit.
Semantic Range
to prepare, to make ready, to arrange, to equip, to furnish, to dedicate (for a task or purpose), to set apart
Root / Etymology
From the root ע-ת-ד (עתד), which at the root level relates to the notion of readiness or preparation. The verb עָתַד is the primary verbal form attested in Biblical Hebrew and conveys the idea of making ready or equipping. The root-generated noun (e.g., עֵתָד, meaning 'ram' or 'a reserved animal', likely suggesting one set aside or prepared for sacrifice) supports the theme of setting apart, preparing, or making ready.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Attested primarily in poetic or elevated narrative contexts (e.g., Genesis 24:31; Judges 12:5; 1 Chronicles 22:3). In the monarchy and First Temple periods, עָתַד is used of persons (preparing oneself), objects (arrangements of materials), and actions (making preparations ahead of time). The verb can be literal (e.g., preparing a place) or figurative (e.g., readying oneself mentally). In later Hebrew (post-biblical), the sense of 'preparing' expands, but remains recognizably linked to the biblical usage. The related noun עֵתָד occasionally means 'ram' as one set apart, likely for sacrifice, illustrating the semantic connection between preparation and dedicating for a purpose. English translations typically render עָתַד as 'prepare', 'make ready', or 'arrange', which generally captures its semantic range, though the nuance of dedicating or reserving for use can be understated in some translations. The root is distinct from כון (kun, 'to establish') and יָצַב (yatsav, 'to set, place upright'), emphasizing proactive readiness more than static establishment.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to prepare; make fit, be ready to become.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
עתד (ʿ-t-d) — to prepare, to make ready, to arrange, to equip
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H6259 | עָתוּד | he-goats |
| H6260 | עַתּוּד | mature he-goats of |
| H6263 | עֲתִיד | prepared ones |
| H6264 | עָתִיד | prepared one |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6257-01 |
הִתְעַתְּד֣וּ | hiteatedu | HVtp3cp |
were appointed | they prepared themselves | 1 |
H6257-02 |
וְ/עַתְּדָ֣/הּ | veatedah | HC/Vpv2ms/Sp3fs |
and make it ready | and prepare her | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6257-02 |
Proverbs 24:27 | וְ/עַתְּדָ֣/הּ | veatedah | HC/Vpv2ms/Sp3fs |
and make it ready | and prepare her |
H6257-01 |
Job 15:28 | הִתְעַתְּד֣וּ | hiteatedu | HVtp3cp |
were appointed | they prepared themselves |