אֹשֶׁר
𐤀𐤔𐤓
ʼôsher
H837 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A state or condition of prosperity, well-being, or good fortune. In most biblical contexts, it refers to material prosperity, abundance, or the overall favorable circumstance of a person, rather than merely subjective feelings of happiness. The term can also denote riches, wealth, or possessions (especially in poetic or wisdom literature). While it sometimes includes non-material well-being, its primary reference is to tangible success or prosperity.
Semantic Range
prosperity, well-being, good fortune, abundance, success, wealth (in context)
Root / Etymology
From the root אָשַׁר (א-ש-ר), meaning 'to go straight, advance, walk, prosper.' The nominal form אֹשֶׁר denotes that which results from advancing or prospering—namely, prosperity or wealth. The root sense of 'going straight' or 'making progress' underlies the development of the noun's meaning to signify well-being or abundant circumstance.
Historical & Contextual Notes
אֹשֶׁר occurs infrequently (e.g., Genesis 30:13; Psalm 1:1; Proverbs 3:13), and when it does, it typically refers not to fleeting emotion but to a lasting state of prosperity or blessedness. In some contexts, אֹשֶׁר overlaps semantically with עָשֵׁר (wealth, riches), but more often, עָשֵׁר is concrete (material possessions), whereas אֹשֶׁר may denote broader well-being. The term never signifies religious or ritual blessedness in the later sense of beatitude (cf. Greek 'makarios'), but describes an enviable condition of flourishing. Translating אֹשֶׁר as 'happiness' can misleadingly suggest subjective feelings; 'prosperity,' 'well-being,' or 'good fortune' better reflect its contextual use. The term's usage remains relatively stable from early to late biblical Hebrew, retaining its emphasis on observable well-being or prosperity.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from אָשַׁר; happiness; happy.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
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אשר (ʾ-š-r) — go straight, advance, succeed, prosper
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H7789 | שׁוּר | Ashshur |
| H804 | אַשּׁוּר | Ashshur |
| H833 | אָשַׁר | Declare fortunate! |
| H834 | אֲשֶׁר | that-which |
| H835 | אֶשֶׁר | his happinesses |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H837-01 |
בְּ/אָשְׁרִ֕/י | beasheri | HR/Ncmsc/Sp1cs |
happy am I | in my prosperity | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H837-01 |
Genesis 30:13 | בְּ/אָשְׁרִ֕/י | beasheri | HR/Ncmsc/Sp1cs |
happy am I | in my prosperity |