אֶשֶׁךְ
𐤀𐤔𐤊
ʼeshek
H810 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Testicle; refers specifically to the male reproductive gland, normally as part of the male anatomy of either humans or animals. The term denotes the physical organ and is used in contexts relating to ritual, physiological, and bodily integrity.
Semantic Range
testicle (anatomical), male reproductive organ, physical sign of virility or bodily integrity
Root / Etymology
Derived from an uncertain root, possibly related to a meaning such as 'to bunch together' or 'to collect/lump,' referencing the physical form of the testicle. The root is not otherwise attested in Biblical Hebrew.
Historical & Contextual Notes
אֶשֶׁךְ occurs rarely (notably in Deuteronomy 23:2 [ET 23:1]), where it refers to the male testicle in the context of regulations concerning physical wholeness required for entry into the Israelite assembly. The word specifically denotes the anatomical feature and does not carry metaphorical, euphemistic, or cultic meanings in the Hebrew Bible. Its usage is literal and anatomical, without additional connotations seen in some other ancient Near Eastern languages. Distinct from related words like מָתְנַיִם (loins) or יָרֵךְ (thigh/upper leg), אֶשֶׁךְ is precise in its reference. English translations sometimes use the euphemism 'stone(s),' but this does not capture the anatomical specificity; in biblical context, it always refers to the physical organ. Post-biblical Hebrew continued to use related terms but sometimes expanded euphemistic usage. The entry does not reflect later English or religious euphemisms such as 'eunuch.'
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from an unused root (probably meaning to bunch together); a testicle (as a lump); stone.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
אשך (ʾ-š-k) — to bunch together, to collect into a ball, lumped mass
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H811 | אֶשְׁכּוֹל | clusters of |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H810-01 |
אָֽשֶׁךְ | ashekhe | HNcmsa |
testicle | testicle | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H810-01 |
Leviticus 21:20 | אָֽשֶׁךְ | ashekhe | HNcmsa |
testicle | testicle |