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רִאשׁוֹן

𐤓𐤀𐤔𐤅𐤍

riʼshôwn

H7223 adjective

SILEX Entry

Root ראשׁ to be first, to precede, to be at the head, to begin

Definition

Adjective or substantive meaning 'first'—denoting precedence in time, order, position, or rank. Its semantic range includes 'earliest,' 'former,' 'previous,' 'chief,' and, as a noun, 'first one,' 'earliest generation,' or 'ancestor.' The term can also indicate the 'beginning' of something, such as an event, period, or sequence, or describe items or people of primary importance or status.

Semantic Range

first in time, earliest, former, previous, chief, foremost in rank or position, beginning, ancestor, original, before, of old, in the past

Root / Etymology

Root: רא״ש (ר-א-ש). Derived from the root meaning 'head,' 'top,' or 'beginning.' 'רִאשׁוֹן' is a formation indicating 'pertaining to the head/beginning' or 'the foremost.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

רִאשׁוֹן is widely used in the Hebrew Bible as both an adjective and a noun, often to indicate something or someone that comes before others in time, position, or importance. In genealogical contexts, it refers to ancestors or previous generations. In narrative or legal texts, it can distinguish a 'former' event, period, or state (e.g., previous kings, previous times). In poetic and prophetic literature, רִאשׁוֹן is contrasted with אַחֲרוֹן ('last, later'), highlighting the movement from former to latter times. The English terms 'first' or 'former' usually capture the general meaning, but can obscure nuances: 'first' may indicate sequence or status, while 'former' emphasizes prior existence. Translation as 'ancestor' or 'of old' in genealogical or historical passages helps clarify the referent. Unlike headwords like רֹאשׁ ('head') or תְּחִלָּה ('beginning'), רִאשׁוֹן specifically expresses relational precedence. Its use remained consistent over biblical periods, though in post-exilic literature, chronological and eschatological contrasts with 'last' or 'latter' (אַחֲרוֹן) became more pronounced.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or רִאשֹׁן; from רִאשָׁה; first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun); ancestor, (that were) before(-time), beginning, eldest, first, fore(-father) (-most), former (thing), of old time, past.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

ראשׁ (r-ʾ-š) — head, top, beginning, to be first, to precede

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4761 מַרְאָשָׁה your dominions
H4762 מַרְאֵשָׁה to Mareshah
H4763 מְרַאֲשָׁה his headrests
H7217 רֵאשׁ be head
H7219 רֹאשׁ poison-plant

Word Forms

22 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H7223-04 הָ/רִאשׁוֹן֙ harishon HTd/Aomsa the first the foremost one 63
H7223-06 הָ/רִאשֹׁנִ֖ים harishonim HTd/Aampa the first the first ones 30
H7223-02 בָּ/רִאשֹׁנָ֑ה barishonah HRd/Aofsa first in the first (feminine) 17
H7223-18 רִֽאשֹׁנָ֑ה rishonah HAafsa first first (feminine) 10
H7223-01 בָּֽ/רִאשׁוֹן֙ barishon HRd/Aamsa in the first in the first 8
H7223-17 רִאשׁ֥וֹן rishon HAomsa first first one 8
H7223-05 הָ/רִאשֹׁנָֽה harishonah HTd/Aafsa the first the first (feminine) 8
H7223-21 בָ/רִֽאשׁוֹנָ֖ה varishonah HRd/Aofsa first in the first 6
H7223-07 הָ/רִאשֹׁנ֖וֹת harishonot HTd/Aafpa the former things the first ones 6
H7223-12 כְּ/בָ/רִאשֹׁנָ֑ה kevarishonah HR/Rd/Aafsa as at first as in the first 5

Occurrences in Scripture

182 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H7223-01 Genesis 8:13 בָּֽ/רִאשׁוֹן֙ barishon HRd/Aamsa in the first in the first
H7223-02 Genesis 13:4 בָּ/רִאשֹׁנָ֑ה barishonah HRd/Aofsa at the first in the first (feminine)
H7223-04 Genesis 25:25 הָ/רִאשׁוֹן֙ harishon HTd/Aomsa the first the foremost one
H7223-04 Genesis 26:1 הָ/רִאשׁ֔וֹן harishon HTd/Aomsa first the foremost one
H7223-14 Genesis 28:19 לָ/רִאשֹׁנָֽה larishonah HRd/Aafsa at the first to the first (feminine)
H7223-04 Genesis 32:18 הָ/רִאשׁ֖וֹן harishon HTd/Aomsa the foremost the foremost one
H7223-18 Genesis 33:2 רִֽאשֹׁנָ֑ה rishonah HAafsa first first (feminine)
H7223-18 Genesis 38:28 רִאשֹׁנָֽה rishonah HAomsa first first (feminine)
H7223-04 Genesis 40:13 הָֽ/רִאשׁ֔וֹן harishon HTd/Aomsa former the foremost one
H7223-07 Genesis 41:20 הָ/רִאשֹׁנ֖וֹת harishonot HTd/Aafpa the first the first ones
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