Lexical Summary
achar: after, behind, following, afterward
Original Word:אַחַר
Part of Speech:Adverb; Preposition; Conjunction; substantive; Adjective
Transliteration:achar
Pronunciation:ah-khar'
Phonetic Spelling:(akh-ar')
KJV: after (that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side), behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from, hereafter, hinder end, + out (over) live, + persecute, posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth), when, with
NASB:after, behind, following, afterward, followed, follow, again
Word Origin:[fromH309 (אָחַר - delay)]
1. (properly) the hind part
2. (generally, as adverb or conjunction) after (in various senses)
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
after that again, at, away from, back from behind, beside, by
From'achar; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses) -- after (that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side), behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from, hereafter, hinder end, + out (over) live, + persecute, posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth), when, with.
see HEBREW'achar
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
acharDefinitionthe hind or following part
NASB Translationaccording (1), after (363), after* (6), afterward (30), afterward* (18), afterwards (3), afterwards* (5), again (4), away (1), back (2), behind (49), behind* (9), besides (1), butt end (1), care (1), follow (11), follow* (16), followed (16), followed* (24), following (35), following and followed (1), following* (5), follows* (3), forsaking* (1), later (1), long* (1), pursuing (4), rear (3), since (3), since* (4), subsequent (2), succeeded (1), survived* (2), then (1), thereafter* (1), west (2), west side (1), when* (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
properly substantive
the hinder or
following part (compare the plural)
Genesis 22:13 (many MSS. Ol Ew read see Di)Psalm 68:26.
Genesis 10:18;Genesis 18:5;Genesis 24:55;Genesis 30:21;Judges 19:5 +; in laws of P, asLeviticus 14:8,19;Leviticus 15:28;Leviticus 22:7;Numbers 5:26 and elsewhere
Exodus 3:1;Exodus 11:5;2 Kings 11:6;Songs 2:9;Isaiah 57:8:to go after, followGenesis 37:17;2 Kings 13:2;2 Kings 23:3;Isaiah 65:2;Ezekiel 13:3;Job 31:7;1 Samuel 12:14;from after2 Samuel 7:8;Psalm 78:71;Isaiah 59:13.
Genesis 9:28;Leviticus 25:15 al;after these thingsGenesis 15:1;Genesis 22:1;Genesis 39:7;Genesis 40:1;1 Kings 17:17;1 Kings 21:1;Ezra 7:1;Esther 2:1;Esther 3:1;Leviticus 14:36;Deuteronomy 21:13;1 Samuel 10:5; (late) 2 Chronicles 32:9; followed by infinitiveNumbers 6:19;Jeremiah 40:1;1 Chronicles 2:24;Job 21:3;till afterNehemiah 13:19.
Nehemiah 5:15 strangely: Ew RVbesides; but text probably corrupt, see Be Ry.
after thatEzekiel 40:1; and withoutLeviticus 14:43;Jeremiah 41:16;Job 42:7. As preposition & conjunction the plural is much more frequently, which in any case must be used before suffixes.
only construct with suffix , , etc.
2 Samuel 2:23 with thehinder end of the spear.
Genesis 18:10 and itbehind himDeuteronomy 11:30;Judges 5:14;1 Samuel 14:13;1 Samuel 21:10;Hosea 5:8 Behind thee! (sc. Lookor The foe is); with a verbas to lookGenesis 19:17;1 Samuel 24:9, to shake the head2 Kings 19:21 ( =Isaiah 37:22), especially verbs expressing or implying motion, as to enter in (see Dr2 Samuel 20:14) , , , , , , , , (see these words).
,Genesis 9:9 your seedafter you; similarlyGenesis 17:7-10,19;Genesis 35:12;Genesis 48:4;Exodus 28:43;Numbers 25:13 all P (alsoDeuteronomy 1:8;Deuteronomy 4:37;Deuteronomy 10:15;1 Samuel 24:22;2 Samuel 7:12 ""), & withGenesis 18:19 J ( + )Exodus 29:29 PLeviticus 25:46 HDeuteronomy 4:40;Deuteronomy 12:25,28;Jeremiah 32:18,39;1 Chronicles 28:8;Proverbs 20:7,Joshua 22:27,Job 21:21;Exodus 10:14;Judges 10:3 etc.; with infinitiveGenesis 5:4after his begetting Sheth,Genesis 13:14;Genesis 14:17;Genesis 18:12;Genesis 25:11 + often;afterwardsGenesis 6:4 ( =afterwards, when, compare 2 Chronicles 35:20)Genesis 15:14;Genesis 23:18;Genesis 25:26;Genesis 32:21;Genesis 41:31;Genesis 45:15 etc.; as a formula of transition chiefly in 2Samuel (2Samuel 2:1; 8:1 ""2 Samuel 10:1 ""2 Samuel 13:1;2 Samuel 21:18 "") compare1 Samuel 24:6;Judges 16:4;2 Kings 6:24; 2Chronicles 20:1; 24:4 ; in late HebrewJob 42:16;Ezra 9:10; 2Chronicles 21:18 ( + 2Chronicles 35:20 (do.); compare AramaicDaniel 2:29,45, andDaniel 7:6,7. — The local (metaphor) and temporal senses blendPsalm 49:14 &after them (i.e. following, imitating them) men applaud their speech, compareJob 21:33.
after that, with the finite verbDeuteronomy 24:4;Joshua 7:8;Joshua 9:16;Joshua 23:1;Joshua 24:20 +; withoutLeviticus 25:48;1 Samuel 5:9 . (The most common construction of is as a preposition with the infinitive construct)Joshua 2:7 must be an error, either for or for alone (notice twice in the same verse);2 Samuel 24:10 read see Dr.
—
57,1 Chronicles 17:7 (""2 Samuel 7:8 ); ()from behindGenesis 19:26;2 Samuel 2:23;from after i.e.from following after, usually with or1 Samuel 24:2;2 Samuel 2:22,26,30;2 Samuel 11:15;Joshua 22:16,18,23,29;1 Samuel 15:11 +; with other verbs of motion, as1 Samuel 14:46;2 Samuel 20:2,2 Samuel 2:27,Amos 7:15;1 Chronicles 17:7,Hosea 1:2; pregnantlyIsaiah 30:21 thy ears shall hear a wordcoming from behind thee,Jeremiah 9:21 (that is , see va)1 Samuel 13:7L We Dr () denotingposition ( =off, on the side of; seebehindExodus 14:19 (twice in verse);Joshua 8:2,4,14;1 Kings 10:19;Nehemiah 4:7 () 2 Chronicles 13:13 b, () of time (rare)Deuteronomy 29:21;Ecclesiastes 10:14;2 Samuel 3:28;2 Samuel 15:1; 2Chronicles 32:23.
2 Samuel 5:23;2 Kings 9:182 Kings 9:19;Zechariah 6:6.
Ezekiel 41:15beside, at the back of.
Proverbs 28:23 (si vera lectio)
a man that turneth backwards (compareJeremiah 7:24) so JosKi De Olp. 429 (doubtfully) Now Sta§ 301 b: according to Ew§ 220 a Hi an abnormal adverb =afterwards, LagPr conjectures compare .
Kt2 Samuel 20:5 (Qr ) see above and Drsm.
(√ of following; meaning unknown; derivatives common in Late Hebrew and Aramaic)
Topical Lexicon
Semantic Range and Overviewאַחַר (’achar) functions adverbially, prepositionally, and conjunctively to express the idea of “after,” “behind,” and “following.” Its flexibility allows Scripture to trace sequences in time, mark spatial position, and frame covenantal allegiance. From Genesis to Malachi (about 715 occurrences), it weaves together narrative progression, prophetic hope, and ethical exhortation.
Principal Categories of Usage
1. Temporal succession
• Narrative chronology: “After these things” inaugurates new stages in redemptive history (Genesis 15:1;Judges 1:1).
• Historical transition: dynastic or generational shifts—“And after him arose…” (Judges 10:1;2 Kings 23:31).
• Eschatological horizon: “In the latter days you will consider it” (Jeremiah 30:24).
2. Spatial orientation
• Physical position: the cloud “went behind them” to shield Israel (Exodus 14:19).
• Military formation: rearguard actions (Joshua 6:9).
• Ritual placement: parts of the tabernacle situated “behind the veil” (Leviticus 16:15, implied by context).
3. Relational allegiance
• Positive discipleship: “You shall follow the LORD your God” (Deuteronomy 13:4).
• Negative apostasy: “They went after other gods” (Jeremiah 11:10).
• Personal devotion: Caleb “followed the LORD fully” (Numbers 32:12).
4. Causal or consequential connection
• “Because” or “after” in causal clauses (Exodus 15:23).
• Wisdom observations: blessings or curses that come “after” certain behaviors (Proverbs 20:17).
Temporal Succession and Narrative Flow
Genesis launches the pattern: God creates, pronounces, and then acts “after” (Genesis 1:31–2:2). The formula recurs at covenantal milestones—after the flood (Genesis 8:15), after circumcision (Genesis 17:22), after the binding of Isaac (Genesis 22:1). Such usage highlights God’s orderly governance and faithfulness.
The Deuteronomistic historians employ אַחַר to underscore leadership succession. Joshua follows Moses; judges follow Joshua; kings follow judges.1 Samuel 13:14 anticipates David: “The LORD has sought for Himself a man after His own heart,” entwining temporal succession with divine election.
Spatial and Relational Nuances
When the angel of God moves “behind” Israel (Exodus 14:19: “Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s camp, withdrew and went behind them”), אַחַר signals protective covering. Conversely, Lot’s wife “looked back behind him” (Genesis 19:26), revealing divided loyalty.
Relationally, אַחַר serves either covenant fidelity or idolatrous pursuit. The Shema’s immediate application warns, “Do not go after other gods” (Deuteronomy 6:14), whereas the prophets commend those who “went after Me in the wilderness” (Jeremiah 2:2).
Covenantal and Redemptive Themes
The unfolding of promise “after” exile dominates prophetic literature.Zechariah 8:7 depicts restoration “from the land of the east and from the land of the west.”Hosea 3:5 climaxes: “Afterward the children of Israel will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king.” Here אַחַר frames post-exilic hope that ultimately anticipates Messianic fulfillment.
Ethical and Discipleship Implications
To “walk after” the LORD (Deuteronomy 13:4) encapsulates obedience, love, and fear of God—an Old Testament call that prefigures New Testament discipleship: “Follow Me” (Matthew 4:19). The consistency affirms one divine ethic across covenants: allegiance produces blessing; turning “after” idols brings judgment.
Prophetic and Eschatological Dimensions
Prophets harness אַחַר to project the “latter days” (Isaiah 2:2;Daniel 2:28). Daniel interprets Nebuchadnezzar’s dream: “What will come to pass after this” (Daniel 2:29). The term therefore anchors eschatology in concrete historical sequence while pointing ahead to ultimate consummation.
Liturgical and Devotional Applications
Psalms internalize אַחַר in personal trust—“Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life” (Psalm 23:6). Worshipers are assured that covenant grace pursues them.Psalm 119:67 contrasts life “before” and “after” affliction, turning reflection into praise.
New Testament Echoes and Continuity
Though Greek texts employ different vocabulary (ὀπίσω, μετὰ), the conceptual thread remains: “He who comes after me is preferred before me” (John 1:27). Jesus’ repeated summons “Follow Me” (Luke 9:23) resonates with the Hebrew backdrop of אַחַר, inviting total commitment.
Ministry Significance Today
Pastors, teachers, and believers discern in אַחַר a summons to:
1. Trace God’s faithful sequence of redemptive acts;
2. Position themselves “behind” Christ in dependence and protection;
3. Reject all competing loyalties;
4. Await confidently what God will do “afterward,” assured that future grace stands on historic precedent.
Reflective Summary
אַחַר binds the Old Testament’s account line, spatial metaphors, and heart-level allegiance into one tapestry. Read attentively, it anchors believers in God’s past deeds, orientates them in present devotion, and directs them toward the promised future where every faithful follower will see the full fruition of what comes “after.”
Forms and Transliterations
אַ֝חַ֗ר אַ֠חֲרֵי אַ֣חֲרֵיהֶ֔ם אַ֣חַר אַ֭חֲרֶיהָ אַ֭חֲרַי אַ֭חֲרָיו אַֽחֲרֵ֣י אַֽחֲרֵי֙ אַֽחֲרֵי־ אַֽחֲרֵיהֶ֑ם אַֽחֲרֵיהֶ֔ם אַֽחֲרֵיהֶם֙ אַֽחֲרֵיכֵ֡ן אַֽחֲרֵיכֶֽם׃ אַֽחֲרֶ֖יךָ אַֽחֲרָ֑י אַֽחֲרָ֔יו אַֽחֲרָיו֙ אַֽחַרֶ֔יךָ אַחֲרֵ֑ינוּ אַחֲרֵ֕י אַחֲרֵ֖י אַחֲרֵ֗ינוּ אַחֲרֵ֛י אַחֲרֵ֡י אַחֲרֵ֣י אַחֲרֵ֣י ׀ אַחֲרֵ֤י אַחֲרֵ֥י אַחֲרֵ֧י אַחֲרֵ֨י אַחֲרֵֽי־ אַחֲרֵֽינוּ׃ אַחֲרֵי֙ אַחֲרֵי֩ אַחֲרֵי־ אַחֲרֵיהֶ֑ם אַחֲרֵיהֶ֔ם אַחֲרֵיהֶ֔ן אַחֲרֵיהֶ֖ם אַחֲרֵיהֶ֗ם אַחֲרֵיהֶ֗ן אַחֲרֵיהֶ֜ם אַחֲרֵיהֶֽם׃ אַחֲרֵיהֶֽן׃ אַחֲרֵיהֶם֒ אַחֲרֵיהֶם֙ אַחֲרֵיהֶם֮ אַחֲרֵיהֶן֙ אַחֲרֵיכֵ֑ן אַחֲרֵיכֵ֔ן אַחֲרֵיכֶ֑ם אַחֲרֵיכֶ֖ם אַחֲרֵיכֶ֛ם אַחֲרֵיכֶ֣ם אַחֲרֵיכֶם֙ אַחֲרֵינוּ֒ אַחֲרֶ֑יהָ אַחֲרֶ֑יךָ אַחֲרֶ֔יהָ אַחֲרֶ֔יךָ אַחֲרֶ֖יהָ אַחֲרֶ֖יךָ אַחֲרֶ֗יהָ אַחֲרֶ֗יךָ אַחֲרֶ֙יךָ֙ אַחֲרֶ֛יךָ אַחֲרֶ֜יךָ אַחֲרֶ֣יךָ אַחֲרֶ֥יךָ אַחֲרֶ֧יהָ אַחֲרֶֽיהָ׃ אַחֲרֶֽיךָ׃ אַחֲרַ֔י אַחֲרַ֔יִךְ אַחֲרַ֖י אַחֲרַ֖יִךְ אַחֲרַ֣יִךְ אַחֲרַי֙ אַחֲרָ֑י אַחֲרָ֑יו אַחֲרָ֔יו אַחֲרָ֖יו אַחֲרָ֗יו אַחֲרָ֛יו אַחֲרָ֜יו אַחֲרָ֣יו אַחֲרָ֤יו אַחֲרָ֤יו ׀ אַחֲרָ֧יו אַחֲרָ֨יו אַחֲרָֽי׃ אַחֲרָֽיו׃ אַחֲרָיו֙ אַחַ֕ר אַחַ֖ר אַחַ֗ר אַחַ֣ר אַחַ֣ר ׀ אַחַ֤ר אַחַ֥ר אַחַ֨ר אַחַר֙ אחר אחרי אחרי־ אחרי׃ אחריה אחריה׃ אחריהם אחריהם׃ אחריהן אחריהן׃ אחריו אחריו׃ אחריך אחריך׃ אחריכם אחריכם׃ אחריכן אחרינו אחרינו׃ בְּאַחֲרֵ֨י באחרי וְ֝אַחֲרָ֗יו וְ֝אַחַ֗ר וְ֭אַחֲרָיו וְאַ֣חֲרֵי וְאַ֣חֲרֵי־ וְאַ֥חַר וְאַ֨חַר וְאַֽחֲרֵ֥י וְאַֽחֲרֵי֙ וְאַֽחֲרֵי־ וְאַֽחֲרָיו֙ וְאַחֲרֵ֖י וְאַחֲרֵ֛י וְאַחֲרֵ֣י וְאַחֲרֵ֤י וְאַחֲרֵ֥י וְאַחֲרֵ֨י וְאַחֲרֵי֙ וְאַחֲרֵי־ וְאַחֲרֵיהֶ֓ם ׀ וְאַחֲרֵיהֶ֗ם וְאַחֲרֵיהֶ֥ם וְאַחֲרֵיכֵ֗ן וְאַחֲרֵיכֵ֞ן וְאַחֲרֶ֖יךָ וְאַחֲרֶ֣יהָ וְאַחֲרַ֖י וְאַחֲרַ֖יִךְ וְאַחֲרָ֔יו וְאַחֲרָ֖יו וְאַחֲרָ֛יו וְאַחֲרָ֞יו וְאַחֲרָ֤יו וְאַחֲרָיו֙ וְאַחַ֕ר וְאַחַ֖ר וְאַחַ֗ר וְאַחַ֛ר וְאַחַ֣ר וְאַחַ֤ר וְאַחַ֥ר וְאַחַר֙ וּמֵאַחֲרַ֖י ואחר ואחרי ואחרי־ ואחריה ואחריהם ואחריו ואחריך ואחריכן ומאחרי מֵֽאַחֲרֵ֕י מֵֽאַחֲרֵ֖י מֵֽאַחֲרֵיהֶ֑ם מֵֽאַחֲרֶ֖יךָ מֵֽאַחֲרַ֔י מֵֽאַחֲרַ֗י מֵֽאַחֲרָ֑יו מֵֽאַחֲרָ֔יו מֵאַ֣חֲרֵי מֵאַ֣חֲרֵיהֶ֔ם מֵאַ֣חֲרֵיכֶ֔ם מֵאַֽחֲרֵי־ מֵאַֽחֲרֵיהֶ֑ם מֵאַֽחֲרַ֔י מֵאַֽחֲרָ֑י מֵאַֽחֲרָ֑יו מֵאַֽחֲרָ֔יו מֵאַחֲרֵ֖י מֵאַחֲרֵ֣י מֵאַחֲרֵ֥י מֵאַחֲרֵיהֶ֑ם מֵאַחֲרֵיהֶ֖ם מֵאַחֲרֵיהֶֽם׃ מֵאַחֲרֶֽיהָ׃ מֵאַחֲרֶֽיךָ׃ מֵאַחֲרָ֑יִךְ מֵאַחֲרָ֑יו מֵאַחֲרָ֔יו מֵאַחֲרָ֖יו מֵאַחֲרָ֜יו מֵאַחֲרָֽיו׃ מֵאַחַ֖ר מֵאַחַ֣ר מֵאַחַ֥ר מאחר מאחרי מאחרי־ מאחריה׃ מאחריהם מאחריהם׃ מאחריו מאחריו׃ מאחריך מאחריך׃ מאחריכם ’a·ḥă·ra·yiḵ ’a·ḥă·rāw ’a·ḥă·ray ’a·ḥă·rāy ’a·ḥă·rê ’a·ḥă·rê- ’a·ḥă·re·hā ’a·ḥă·rê·hem ’a·ḥă·rê·hen ’a·ḥa·re·ḵā ’a·ḥă·re·ḵā ’a·ḥă·rê·ḵem ’a·ḥă·rê·ḵên ’a·ḥă·rê·nū ’a·ḥar ’aḥar ’aḥărāw ’aḥăray ’aḥărāy ’aḥărayiḵ ’aḥărê ’aḥărê- ’aḥărehā ’aḥărêhem ’aḥărêhen ’aḥareḵā ’aḥăreḵā ’aḥărêḵem ’aḥărêḵên ’aḥărênū aChar achaRai achaRav achaRayich achaRei achaReicha AchareiChem achareiChen achaReiha achareiHem achareiHen achaReinu bə’aḥărê bə·’a·ḥă·rê beachaRei mê’aḥar mê’aḥărāw mê’aḥăray mê’aḥărāy mê’aḥărāyiḵ mê’aḥărê mê’aḥărê- mê’aḥărehā mê’aḥărêhem mê’aḥăreḵā mê’aḥărêḵem mê·’a·ḥă·rā·yiḵ mê·’a·ḥă·rāw mê·’a·ḥă·ray mê·’a·ḥă·rāy mê·’a·ḥă·rê mê·’a·ḥă·rê- mê·’a·ḥă·re·hā mê·’a·ḥă·rê·hem mê·’a·ḥă·re·ḵā mê·’a·ḥă·rê·ḵem mê·’a·ḥar meaChar meachaRai meachaRav meachaRayich meachaRei meachaReicha meAchareiChem meachaReiha meachareiHem ū·mê·’a·ḥă·ray ūmê’aḥăray umeachaRai veaChar veachaRai veachaRav veachaRayich veacharei veachaReicha veachareiChen veachaReiha veachareiHem wə’aḥar wə’aḥărāw wə’aḥăray wə’aḥărayiḵ wə’aḥărê wə’aḥărê- wə’aḥărehā wə’aḥărêhem wə’aḥăreḵā wə’aḥărêḵên wə·’a·ḥă·ra·yiḵ wə·’a·ḥă·rāw wə·’a·ḥă·ray wə·’a·ḥă·rê wə·’a·ḥă·rê- wə·’a·ḥă·re·hā wə·’a·ḥă·rê·hem wə·’a·ḥă·re·ḵā wə·’a·ḥă·rê·ḵên wə·’a·ḥar
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