אֶצֶר
𐤀𐤑𐤓
Etser
H687 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Proper name designating an individual, Etser (Ezer), identified as an Edomite clan chief in the genealogies of Genesis. While derived from a verb meaning 'to store up,' as a name it denotes a person and does not carry a common noun meaning within biblical usage.
Semantic Range
proper name (individual or clan chief among the Edomites); derivative from root meaning 'treasure, store up,' though not used as a common noun in the Hebrew Bible
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root אָצַר (ʾ-ṣ-r), meaning 'to store up, treasure, keep.' The name is a masculine proper noun, likely conveying a sense such as 'stored up' or 'treasured,' though personal names often reflect broader themes and may function as theophoric or commemorative.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The name אֶצֶר appears only in genealogical lists (Genesis 36:26, 1 Chronicles 1:42), identifying a chief or clan among the Edomites, descendants of Esau. The context is non-Israelite; thus, the meaning and function should not be conflated with Israelite tribal names. The standard translation often renders the name as 'Ezer' or 'Etser,' but its meaning as a personal or clan name is not expanded upon. In later English Bibles, this name sometimes appears as 'Etzer' or 'Ezer,' but it is distinct from common noun forms such as אֹצֶר ('storehouse, treasury'). The inclusion in genealogies reflects the importance of recording Edomite lineages, but there is no evidence of the term being used outside of proper naming. It should not be confused with similar-sounding Israelite or geographic names. The root אָצַר yields common nouns and verbs related to treasure and storing, but those meanings are not reflected in the personal name usage seen here.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from אָצַר; treasure; Etser, an Idumaean; Ezer.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
אצר (ʾ-ṣ-r) — to store up, treasure, keep
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H687-01 |
אֵ֑צֶר | etser | HNp |
Ezer | Stored-Up One | 3 |
H687-02 |
וְ/אֵ֖צֶר | veetser | HC/Np |
and Ezer | and Etser | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H687-02 |
Genesis 36:21 | וְ/אֵ֖צֶר | veetser | HC/Np |
and Ezer | and Etser |
H687-01 |
Genesis 36:27 | אֵ֑צֶר | etser | HNp |
Ezer | Stored-Up One |
H687-01 |
Genesis 36:30 | אֵ֖צֶר | etser | HNp |
Ezer | Stored-Up One |
H687-02 |
1 Chronicles 1:38 | וְ/אֵ֖צֶר | veetser | HC/Np |
and Ezer | and Etser |
H687-01 |
1 Chronicles 1:42 | אֵ֔צֶר | etser | HNp |
Ezer | Stored-Up One |