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רִאשֹׁנִי

𐤓𐤀𐤔𐤍𐤉

riʼshônîy

H7224 adjective

SILEX Entry

Root ראשׁ to be first, to be chief, to begin

Definition

Adjectival form meaning 'first' or 'former,' used to indicate primacy in time, order, or status. Rarely, it may refer to a 'precursor' or that which precedes others. Can function substantivally as 'forebear' or 'one who comes first.' In context, often describes the earliest of a sequence, a previous generation, or an initial event or person.

Semantic Range

first, foremost, former, earliest, of the first (rank or order), that which came before, earlier (in sequence, period, or generation), previous

Root / Etymology

From the root ראשׁ (r-ʾ-sh), meaning 'head, chief, beginning.' רִאשֹׁנִי is an adjective derived from רִאשׁוֹן ('first'), itself based on the noun meaning 'head' or 'beginning.' The adjective is formed with the suffix ־ִי indicating attributive relation.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The term רִאשֹׁנִי most commonly appears in late prose and post-exilic texts, though it is attested in earlier periods. It can distinguish 'former' times from 'later' (אַחֲרוֹן) times, especially in historical or prophetic literature (e.g., Zechariah 8:11; Isaiah 41:22). While English 'first' typically refers only to sequence, רִאשֹׁנִי can also carry connotations of status or precedence, depending on context. In some passages where English translations use 'first' or 'former,' this may obscure nuances related to earlier generations or earlier historical phases within the Israelite narrative. The distinction between רִאשֹׁן ('first' as ordinal, or 'ancestor, predecessor') and רִאשֹׁנִי (adjectival, 'first' or 'former') is important, as the latter modifies nouns adjectivally and can refer specifically to 'the earlier' as opposed to 'the current.' Use varies between narrative, legal, and prophetic genres, sometimes indicating the prototype or ideal model in temple instructions or laws.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from רִאשׁוֹן; first; first.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

ראשׁ (r-ʾ-sh) — to be first, to be chief, to begin

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

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H7224-01 הָ/רִ֣אשֹׁנִ֔ית harishonit HTd/Aafsa first the first one 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H7224-01 Jeremiah 25:1 הָ/רִ֣אשֹׁנִ֔ית harishonit HTd/Aafsa first the first one
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