Lexical Summary
echad: One, single, first, alone, unity
Original Word:אֶחָד
Part of Speech:Adjective
Transliteration:echad
Pronunciation:eh-khad'
Phonetic Spelling:(ekh-awd')
KJV: a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-)ly, each (one), + eleven, every, few, first, + highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together,
NASB:one, each, first, other, same, another, any
Word Origin:[a numeral fromH258 (אָחַד - One)]
1. (properly) united, i.e. one
2. (as an ordinal) first
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
a, alike, alone, altogether, and, anything, apiece, a certain
A numeral from'achad; properly, united, i.e. One; or (as an ordinal) first -- a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-)ly, each (one), + eleven, every, few, first, + highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together,
see HEBREW'achad
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origina prim. card. number
Definitionone
NASB Translation151,450* (1), 41,500* (2), 61* (1), 61,000* (1), 621* (2), 721* (1), alike (1), all at once (1), alone (2), altogether (1), another (23), another into one (1), any (15), any one (2), any* (1), anyone* (1), apiece (1), certain (11), certain man (1), each (48), each one (4), each other (1), each* (4), eleven* (9), eleventh* (4), every (1), everyone (1), few (3), first (38), forty-first* (1), forty-one* (4), numbered (1), once (14), once* (4), one (586), one and on another (1), one and the other (2), one at the other (1), one can him who (1), one the other (1), one to another (1), one will to another (1), one another (4), one thing (2), one thing to another (1), one-tenth (1), one-tenth for each (1), only (2), other (27), other was one (1), outermost* (1), same (25), same one (1), single (15), some (2), thirty-first* (1), thirty-one* (3), together (3), twenty-first* (4), twenty-one* (4), uniformly* (2), unique (4), unison (1), unit (4), united (1), whom (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
962 (Phoenician , Sabean
id., compare DHM
ZMG 1876, 707, Arabic
, Ethiopic
Aramaic ,
; on Assyrian
edu, a—adu, compare Dl
W No. 139) — absolute
Genesis 1:5 #NAME?
Genesis 21:15 +; so even before preposition
1 Samuel 9:3 and elsewhere see Dr; feminine absolute
Genesis 2:21 +;
Genesis 11:1 +; construct
Deuteronomy 13:13 +; plural masculine
Genesis 11:1 + 4:t.;
Ezekiel 33:30 strike out Co compare ; —
oneGenesis 1:9;Genesis 27:38,45;Exodus 12:49;Joshua 23:10;1 Samuel 1:24;2 Samuel 12:3 +,Zechariah 14:9;Malachi 2:10;Job 31:15 +, so also (emphatic)2 Samuel 17:3 for We Dr;one or twoEzra 10:13; as substantive followed byGenesis 2:21;Leviticus 4:2,13;Isaiah 34:16 +;Genesis 19:9;Genesis 42:13,32;2 Kings 6:3,5 +;one and the sameGenesis 40:5;Job 31:15; pluralGenesis 11:1 compareEzekiel 37:17 (absolute), but see Co; =few, a fewGenesis 27:44;Genesis 29:20;Daniel 11:20;as one man, togetherJudges 20:8;1 Samuel 11:7; also late = AramaicEzra 2:64 (=Nehemiah 7:66)Ezra 3:9;Ezra 6:20;Ecclesiastes 11:6; see especiallyIsaiah 65:25 ("" earlierIsaiah 11:6,7).
=each, everyExodus 36:30;Numbers 7:3,85;Numbers 28:21;1 Kings 4:7;2 Kings 15:20 +; also repeated, distributive senseNumbers 7:11;Numbers 13:2;Numbers 17:21;Joshua 3:12;Joshua 4:2,4.
=a certain1 Samuel 1:1;2 Samuel 18:10;2 Kings 4:1;Esther 3:8 #NAME?2 Samuel 17:9 see Dr1 Samuel 1:1; hence
= indefinite article1 Samuel 6:7;1 Samuel 24:15;1 Samuel 26:20 (but strike out We Dr)1 Kings 19:4,5 +.
only1 Kings 4:19; & (feminine)once2 Kings 6:10;Psalm 62:12;Psalm 89:36 (once for all); 2Chronicles 9:21,Leviticus 16:34 compareJob 40:5,Joshua 6:3,11 compareJoshua 6:14,Numbers 10:4;Job 33:14;at onceProverbs 28:18 compareJudges 16:28. Num 10:4 is rather 'in one (of the trumpets)';Job 33:14 it =in one way;Proverbs 28:18 read probably with Lag Dy Bi ;Judges 16:28 is rather 'vengeance forone of my two eyes' (see GFM).Jeremiah 10:8 probably =in one, altogether. .
one . . . another, the one . . . the otherExodus 17:12;Exodus 18:3,4;Amos 4:7;2 Samuel 12:1;Jeremiah 24:2; 2Chronicles 3:17;Nehemiah 4:11 +;2 Samuel 14:6 read for We Dr;one after another, one by one,Isaiah 27:12 compareEcclesiastes 7:27.
,first (mostly P & late)Genesis 1:5 (P)Genesis 2:11 (J)Exodus 39:10 (P); absoluteJob 42:14,Ezekiel 10:14 especially of first day of monthExodus 40:2 (P)Ezra 3:6;Ezra 10:16,17;Nehemiah 8:2;Haggai 1:1;first year, 2Chronicles 36:22;Ezra 1:1;Daniel 1:21;Daniel 9:1,2;Daniel 11:1 comparefirst (day, omitted)Genesis 8:5,13 ; soExodus 40:17;Leviticus 23:24;Numbers 1:18;Numbers 29:1;Numbers 33:38 (all P)Deuteronomy 1:3; 2Chronicles 29:17;Ezra 7:9 (twice in verse);Ezekiel 26:1;Ezekiel 29:17;Ezekiel 31:1;Ezekiel 32:1;Ezekiel 45:18.
.,
eleven (compare , )Genesis 32:23;Genesis 37:9 (JE)Deuteronomy 1:2; soJoshua 15:51 (P)2 Kings 23:36;2 Kings 24:18; 2Chronicles 36:5,11;Jeremiah 52:1 (precedes noun, exceptJoshua 15:51; as ordinal,eleventhEzekiel 30:20;Ezekiel 31:1 compare1 Kings 6:38;2 Kings 9:29;
Numbers 1:41; compareNumbers 2:16,28;Numbers 31:34,39 (all P; precedes other numeral); but ( following)1 Kings 14:21;1 Kings 15:10;2 Kings 14:23; 2Chronicles 12:13 compare2 Kings 22:1 2Chronicles 34:1;2 Kings 24:18 =Jeremiah 52:1 2Chronicles 36:11;Joshua 12:24 (D)Isaiah 30:17;Ezra 2:26 =Nehemiah 7:30 compareNehemiah 7:37;Daniel 10:13; as ordinalGenesis 8:13 (P)Exodus 12:18 (P),1 Chronicles 24:17;1 Chronicles 25:28; 2Chronicles 16:13 ( preceding); but1 Kings 16:23;Haggai 2:1 ( following).
(√ of following; see Biblical Hebrew .
; — masculine singularDaniel 2:31+; feminine singularEzra 4:8 +; —
one sideDaniel 7:5; noun omittedDaniel 6:3;Daniel 2:9 =one and invariable (inevitable);Daniel 2:35as one, altogether (so S-CK 3 , and late Biblical HebrewEzra 2:64 +); = ordinal,first yearEzra 7:1;Ezra 5:13;Ezra 6:3; =a certain one ()Daniel 7:16 (with partitive).
a (indefinite article) with substantiveDaniel 2:31;Daniel 6:18;Daniel 4:16 (see ),Ezra 4:8;Ezra 6:2,Daniel 3:19 =seven-fold (as Syriac: Nö§ 241 PS 1194; compareExodus 16:5 ), see K§ 66, 2.
Topical Lexicon
Meaning and Range of Usageאֶחָד functions as the ordinary Hebrew word for “one,” but its reach is far wider than simple arithmetic. It can mark singularity (“one lampstand,”Exodus 25:31), priority (“first day,”Genesis 1:5), individuality (“each man,”Exodus 16:16), a particular but unnamed item or person (“a certain man,”1 Samuel 1:1), or collective unity (“one people,”Genesis 11:6). Used about 967 times, the term weaves through historical narrative, legal material, poetry, prophecy, and wisdom literature, providing a foundational thread of unity, identity, and exclusivity.
Divine Unity and the Shema
The most celebrated appearance isDeuteronomy 6:4: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One!”. Here אֶחָד proclaims the exclusive, indivisible sovereignty of the covenant God over against polytheism. The Shema became Israel’s daily confession, recited morning and evening, shaping worship, ethics, and national identity. Jesus affirms the same declaration inMark 12:29, linking אֶחָד to the core of faithful obedience.
Creation and Cosmic Order
Genesis opens by counting creative days, but the first is uniquely labelled “one day” (Genesis 1:5), not “first” in a sequence. The wording highlights completeness and sets the pattern that each successive day will mirror. אֶחָד thus establishes order from the start, grounding time, rhythm, and Sabbath theology.
Covenant Community and Corporate Identity
Israel is repeatedly called to be “one congregation” (Numbers 15:15) under one law. The phrase underlines corporate responsibility—whether in worship assemblies (Leviticus 24:22) or military censuses (Numbers 1:44)—and counters tribal or class fragmentation. Even when the monarchy divided, prophets looked forward to reunification as “one nation in the land” (Ezekiel 37:22).
Sacrifice, Worship, and Ritual Precision
In the tabernacle ordinances, אֶחָד specifies singular animals or objects to ensure exact compliance: “one male lamb a year old without blemish” (Leviticus 14:10) or the “one golden plate” for the high priest’s turban (Exodus 39:30). Such precision protects the holiness of worship and the purity of Israel’s offerings.
Social and Judicial Applications
Legal passages deploy אֶחָד to insist on impartiality: “You shall have one statute for the foreigner and the native-born” (Numbers 15:16).Deuteronomy 17:6 tempers capital cases by requiring “two or three witnesses,” implying that the testimony of a single (אֶחָד) witness is insufficient. Justice in Israel must resist the danger of a lone, uncorroborated claim.
Marriage and Family
Genesis 2:24 anticipates the unifying power of covenant marriage: “and they shall become one flesh.” InMalachi 2:15 the prophet asks, “Has not the one God made you? You belong to Him in body and spirit.” The singularity of God grounds the singular devotion expected within marriage, foreshadowing New Testament teaching that husband and wife symbolize Christ and His church.
Prophetic Vision of Restored Oneness
Ezekiel 37,Zechariah 14:9, andIsaiah 11:13 project a future when divided kingdoms, scattered peoples, and rival loyalties will be gathered under “one King,” “one Shepherd,” and “one Name.” אֶחָד is the hallmark of eschatological harmony when the nations will stream to Zion and the earth will acknowledge the singular lordship of God.
Messianic Overtones and Christological Fulfillment
Zechariah 11:12–13 speaks of “thirty pieces of silver,” but verse 8 quietly introduces “one month” in which three shepherds are dismissed—compressing judgment into a single span. The evangelists trace the fulfillment in the Passion narrative, where the Shepherd binds scattered sheep into one flock (John 10:16). In New Testament perspective, the unity foretold by אֶחָד blossoms in the church, where Jew and Gentile are “one new man” (Ephesians 2:15).
Literary Function and Narrative Flow
Hebrew prose often opens a scene with אֶחָד to introduce a key character or focus attention: “Now there was a certain (אֶחָד) man of Zorah” (Judges 13:2). Poetry uses it for contrast and climax: “For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me” (Psalm 32:4, lit. “in day and night”), intensifying the psalmist’s experience by merging temporal extremes into one continuous pressure.
Intertestamental and New Testament Resonance
Second Temple liturgy continued the Shema, and the synagogue’s singular confession laid groundwork for apostolic preaching. Paul cites it directly: “There is one God” (1 Timothy 2:5). James urges consistent allegiance: “You believe that God is one. Good!” (James 2:19). The early church proclaimed unity of essence within the Godhead while maintaining monotheism, a tension traceable to אֶחָד.
Pastoral and Ministry Applications
1. Worship: Churches reciting creeds echo the Shema’s insistence on focused adoration.
2. Unity: Congregations fractured by division recall that Christ prayed “that they may be one” (John 17:21), standing on the Old Testament precedent of corporate oneness.
3. Marriage and Family Counseling: Counselors appeal toGenesis 2:24 when nurturing covenant commitment.
4. Justice and Mercy: Social ministries draw from the “one statute” principle to champion equitable treatment of outsiders and locals alike.
5. Eschatology and Missions: Evangelism is propelled by the conviction that the Lord will be King over all the earth, His Name one (Zechariah 14:9).
Selected Key References
Genesis 1:5;Genesis 2:24;Genesis 11:6;Exodus 25:31;Leviticus 14:10;Numbers 15:15–16;Deuteronomy 6:4;Deuteronomy 17:6;Joshua 22:20;Judges 13:2;1 Samuel 1:1;Psalm 133:1;Isaiah 11:13;Ezekiel 37:22;Zechariah 14:9;Malachi 2:10;Mark 12:29;John 10:16;John 17:21;Ephesians 2:15;1 Timothy 2:5;James 2:19.
Through these manifold appearances, אֶחָד anchors Scripture’s testimony to the singularity of God, the wholeness of His people, and the ultimate harmony He purposes in redemption.
Forms and Transliterations
אֲחָדִ֑ים אֲחָדִ֔ים אֲחָדִֽים׃ אֲחָדִים֙ אֶ֝חָ֗ד אֶֽחָ֖ד אֶֽחָד־ אֶחָ֑ד אֶחָ֑ת אֶחָ֔ד אֶחָ֔ת אֶחָ֕ד אֶחָ֖ד אֶחָ֗ד אֶחָ֛ד אֶחָ֜ד אֶחָ֞ד אֶחָ֡ד אֶחָ֣ד אֶחָ֣ד ׀ אֶחָ֤ד אֶחָ֥ד אֶחָ֧ד אֶחָ֨ד אֶחָֽ seg type='large'>ד׃ seg> אֶחָֽד׃ אֶחָֽת׃ אֶחָד֙ אֶחָד֩ אֶחָד֮ אַ֭חַת אַֽחַת־ אַחַ֔ת אַחַ֖ד אַחַ֖ת אַחַ֗ד אַחַ֗ת אַחַ֛ד אַחַ֛ת אַחַ֜ת אַחַ֣ד אַחַ֣ת אַחַ֣ת ׀ אַחַ֤ד אַחַ֤ת אַחַ֤ת ׀ אַחַ֥ד אַחַ֥ת אַחַ֧ת אַחַ֨ד אַחַ֨ת אַחַד֙ אַחַת֙ אַחַת֩ אחד אחד־ אחד׃ אחדים אחדים׃ אחת אחת־ אחת׃ בְ֭אֶחָד בְּאֶחָ֞ד בְּאֶחָ֣ד בְּאֶחָ֥ד בְּאֶחָֽת׃ בְּאֶחָד֙ בְּאֶחָד֩ בְּאַחַ֖ת בְּאַחַ֛ת בְּאַחַ֣ד בְּאַחַ֣ת בְּאַחַ֤ת בְּאַחַ֥ד בְּאַחַ֨ת בְּאַחַת֙ בְאַחַ֥ת בְּאַחַ֣ת בְּאַחַ֤ד באחד באחת באחת׃ הָֽאֶחָ֑ת הָֽאֶחָ֔ד הָֽאֶחָ֔ת הָֽאֶחָ֖ד הָֽאֶחָ֗ד הָֽאֶחָ֞ד הָֽאֶחָֽד׃ הָֽאֶחָד֙ הָֽאַחַ֔ת הָֽאַחַ֗ת הָֽאַחַת֙ הָאֶחָ֑ד הָאֶחָ֑ת הָאֶחָ֔ד הָאֶחָ֔ת הָאֶחָ֖ד הָאֶחָ֗ד הָאֶחָ֗ת הָאֶחָ֛ד הָאֶחָ֜ד הָאֶחָ֞ד הָאֶחָ֣ד הָאֶחָ֣ד ׀ הָאֶחָ֤ד הָאֶחָ֥ד הָאֶחָ֧ד הָאֶחָ֨ד הָאֶחָֽד׃ הָאֶחָֽת׃ הָאֶחָד֙ הָאֶחָד֮ הָאֶחָת֒ הָאַחַ֔ת הָאַחַ֖ת הָאַחַ֗ת הָאַחַ֣ת הָאַחַ֤ת הָאַחַ֨ת הָאַחַת֮ האחד האחד׃ האחת האחת׃ וְאֶחָ֖ד וְאֶחָ֣ד וְאֶחָ֥ד וְאֶחָ֨ד וְאֶחָֽד׃ וְאֶחָד֙ וְאַחַ֖ת וְאַחַ֛ת וְאַחַ֜ת וְאַחַ֣ת וְאַחַ֤ד וְאַחַ֤ת וְאַחַת֙ וְהָאֶחָ֖ד וְהָאֶחָ֥ד וְהָאַחַ֣ת וְהָאַחַת֙ וּבְאֶחָ֞ד וּבְאַחַ֖ת וּכְאַחַ֖ד וּלְאֶחָ֖ד וּלְאַחַד֙ ואחד ואחד׃ ואחת ובאחד ובאחת והאחד והאחת וכאחד ולאחד כְ֠אֶחָד כְּאֶחָ֑ד כְּאֶחָ֔ד כְּאֶחָ֖ד כְּאַחַ֖ד כְּאַחַ֖ת כְּאַחַ֣ד כְּאַחַ֤ד כְּאַחַ֥ד כְאֶחָ֗ד כאחד כאחת לְאֶחָ֑ד לְאֶחָ֑ת לְאֶחָ֔ד לְאֶחָ֗ד לְאֶחָ֞ד לְאֶחָ֤ד לְאֶחָֽת׃ לְאַחַ֔ת לְאַחַ֖ד לְאַחַ֖ת לְאַחַ֞ד לְאַחַ֣ד לְאַחַ֣ת לְאַחַ֥ד לְאַחַ֥ת לְאַחַד֙ לַאֲחָדִ֖ים לָאֶחָ֑ד לָאֶחָ֖ד לאחד לאחדים לאחת לאחת׃ מֵֽאַחַ֥ת מֵאַחַ֖ד מֵאַחַ֖ת מֵאַחַ֤ד מֵאַחַ֥ד מאחד מאחת ’ă·ḥā·ḏîm ’a·ḥaḏ ’a·ḥaṯ ’a·ḥaṯ- ’aḥaḏ ’ăḥāḏîm ’aḥaṯ ’aḥaṯ- ’e·ḥāḏ ’e·ḥāḏ- ’e·ḥāṯ ’eḥāḏ ’eḥāḏ- ’eḥāṯ aChad achaDim aChat bə’aḥaḏ bə’aḥaṯ ḇə’aḥaṯ bə’eḥāḏ ḇə’eḥāḏ bə’eḥāṯ bə·’a·ḥaḏ bə·’a·ḥaṯ ḇə·’a·ḥaṯ bə·’e·ḥāḏ ḇə·’e·ḥāḏ bə·’e·ḥāṯ beaChad beaChat beeChad beeChat cheeChad Cheechod eChad eChat echod hā’aḥaṯ hā’eḥāḏ hā’eḥāṯ hā·’a·ḥaṯ hā·’e·ḥāḏ hā·’e·ḥāṯ haaChat haeChad haeChat kə’aḥaḏ kə’aḥaṯ kə’eḥāḏ ḵə’eḥāḏ kə·’a·ḥaḏ kə·’a·ḥaṯ kə·’e·ḥāḏ ḵə·’e·ḥāḏ keaChad keaChat keeChad la’ăḥāḏîm lā’eḥāḏ la·’ă·ḥā·ḏîm lā·’e·ḥāḏ laachaDim laeChad lə’aḥaḏ lə’aḥaṯ lə’eḥāḏ lə’eḥāṯ lə·’a·ḥaḏ lə·’a·ḥaṯ lə·’e·ḥāḏ lə·’e·ḥāṯ leaChad leaChat leeChad leeChat mê’aḥaḏ mê’aḥaṯ mê·’a·ḥaḏ mê·’a·ḥaṯ meaChad meaChat ū·ḇə·’a·ḥaṯ ū·ḇə·’e·ḥāḏ ū·ḵə·’a·ḥaḏ ū·lə·’a·ḥaḏ ū·lə·’e·ḥāḏ ūḇə’aḥaṯ ūḇə’eḥāḏ ucheaChad ūḵə’aḥaḏ ūlə’aḥaḏ ūlə’eḥāḏ uleaChad uleeChad uveaChat uveeChad veaChad veaChat veeChad Veechod vehaaChat vehaeChad wə’aḥaḏ wə’aḥaṯ wə’eḥāḏ wə·’a·ḥaḏ wə·’a·ḥaṯ wə·’e·ḥāḏ wə·hā·’a·ḥaṯ wə·hā·’e·ḥāḏ wəhā’aḥaṯ wəhā’eḥāḏ
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