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אֶפֶס

𐤀𐤐𐤎

ʼepheç

H657 noun

SILEX Entry

Root אפס to end, cease to exist, reach a limit

Definition

A limit, end, or extremity; in various contexts, can denote a boundary (geographical or abstract), a point of cessation, or nonexistence. Used often as a negative particle or adverbial expression (e.g., nothing, none, only) to indicate the absence of something or the idea of exclusivity ('none besides'). Can also refer, in the dual form, to the ankle, as the extremity of the leg.

Semantic Range

end, limit, boundary, extremity (esp. anatomical: ankle); nothing, nonexistence, absence, zero; exclusion, only, none besides, except, save, nevertheless

Root / Etymology

From the root אָפֵס (ʼāpēs), meaning 'to end, cease to exist.' The nominal form אֶפֶס (ʼepheṣ) derives from this root and conveys the sense of limit, absence, or boundary. The sense relating to the ankle arises from the notion of the body's extremity or limit.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical usage, אֶפֶס functions both as a noun ('end,' 'extremity,' or 'nothingness'), and as an adverb or particle of exclusion ('none besides me'). This sense of exclusivity is especially prominent in Deuteronomistic and prophetic literature where it underscores the uniqueness or singularity of a deity or entity by denying the existence or reality of alternatives (e.g., Deuteronomy 4:35; Isaiah 45:6). As a negation or negative adverb, it carries the force of 'there is not' or 'nothing exists except.' The dual form is attested primarily in anatomical contexts to signify 'ankles' (extremities of the leg, e.g., 2 Samuel 22:37). Its negative or privative uses overlap with, but are distinct from, terms like אַיִן (ayin, 'there is not') and בִּלְתִּי (bilti, 'except, without'). In post-biblical and Modern Hebrew, אֶפֶס retains the sense of 'zero' or 'nothing.' English translations often collapse the nuanced senses into 'nothing,' 'only,' or 'end,' but this can obscure the richer range of meaning in the original contexts.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from אָפֵס; (sometimes like פָּעַל); cessation, i.e. an end (especially of the earth); often used adverb, no further; also the ankle (in the dual), as being the extremity of the leg or foot; ankle, but (only), end, howbeit, less than nothing, nevertheless (where), no, none (beside), not (any, -withstanding), thing of nought, save(-ing), there, uttermost part, want, without (cause).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

אפס (ʾ-p-s) — end, cessation, limit, nonexistence

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H656 אָפֵס has come to an end

Word Forms

13 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H657-03 אַפְסֵי afesey HNcmpc ends of extremities of 12
H657-05 אֶ֚פֶס efes HNcmsa besides end-limit 11
H657-13 וְ/אֶ֗פֶס veefes HC/Ncmsa and none and nonexistence 5
H657-12 וְ/אַפְסִ֣/י veafesi HC/Ncmsc/Sp1cs and none besides me and my limit 3
H657-04 בְּ/אֶ֥פֶס beefes HR/Ncmsa for lack of at the limit 3
H657-11 וּ/בְ/אֶ֥פֶס uveefes HC/R/Ncmsc and in absence and in absence-of 2
H657-01 אָֽפֶס afes HNcmsa None he has ceased 2
H657-09 מֵ/אֶ֥פֶס meefes HR/Ncmsa less than nothing end, limit 1
H657-06 הַ/אֶ֨פֶס haefes HTi/Ncmsa Is there not the limit 1
H657-02 אָפְסָֽיִם afesayim HNcmda ankle-deep leg extremities 1

Occurrences in Scripture

44 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H657-05 Numbers 13:28 אֶ֚פֶס efes HNcmsa Nevertheless end-limit
H657-13 Numbers 22:35 וְ/אֶ֗פֶס veefes HC/Ncmsa but only and nonexistence
H657-05 Numbers 23:13 אֶ֚פֶס efes HNcmsa only end-limit
H657-05 Deuteronomy 15:4 אֶ֕פֶס efes HNcmsa save end-limit
H657-13 Deuteronomy 32:36 וְ/אֶ֖פֶס veefes HC/Ncmsa and none and nonexistence
H657-03 Deuteronomy 33:17 אַפְסֵי afesey HNcmpc ends extremities of
H657-05 Judges 4:9 אֶ֚פֶס efes HNcmsa nevertheless end-limit
H657-03 1 Samuel 2:10 אַפְסֵי afesey HNcmpc ends of extremities of
H657-06 2 Samuel 9:3 הַ/אֶ֨פֶס haefes HTi/Ncmsa Is there not the limit
H657-05 2 Samuel 12:14 אֶ֗פֶס efes HNcmsa However end-limit
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