Lexical Summary
acher: other, another, others
Original Word:אַחֵר
Part of Speech:Adjective
Transliteration:acher
Pronunciation:a-khair
Phonetic Spelling:(akh-air')
KJV: (an-)other man, following, next, strange
NASB:other, another, others, next, another woman, any, any other
Word Origin:[fromH309 (אָחַר - delay)]
1. (properly) hinder
2. (generally) next, other, etc
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
another man, following, next, strange
From'achar; properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc. -- (an-)other man, following, next, strange.
see HEBREW'achar
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
acharDefinitionanother
NASB Translationanother (59), another woman (1), any (1), any other (1), different (1), first (1), following (1), foreign (1), next (3), other (89), others (11).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
I. (properly
one coming behind), feminine (with daghesh forte implicit); plural (as if from singular ), once
Job 31:10 , (= Arabic
, Sabean , Assyrian
a—ru future feminine plural as substantive
a—rat ûmê future of days)
Genesis 4:25another seed
Genesis 8:10 seven
other days
Exodus 22:4 in the field of
another + often;
another man (husband)
Genesis 29:19;
Deuteronomy 24:2;
Jeremiah 3:1;
1 Kings 7:8the other court, see ; 2Chronicles 32:5 the
other wall, see . Appended to a proper name for distinction
Ezra 2:31=
Nehemiah 7:34 (see
Nehemiah 7:7 = Nehemiah
Nehemiah 7:12)
Nehemiah 7:33 (probably here text error, see Be Ry
18: not in
Ezra 2:29). Often with the collateral sense of
different, as
other garments
Leviticus 6:4;
1 Samuel 28:8;
Ezekiel 42:14;
Ezekiel 44:19; ,
Leviticus 14:42;
Numbers 14:24;
1 Samuel 10:6;
1 Samuel 10:9;
Ezekiel 11:19 ( Hi Sm);
Isaiah 65:15 (compare
Isaiah 62:2 ); with that of
strange, alien, as
Deuteronomy 20:5,6,7;
Deuteronomy 28:30 ( so , alone
Psalm 109:8;
Job 31:8,10;
Isaiah 65:22;
Jeremiah 6:12;
Jeremiah 8:10 and elsewhere);
Deuteronomy 28:32;
Deuteronomy 29:27;
Jeremiah 22:26;
Judges 11:2;
Isaiah 28:11 ("" ); especially in the phrase
other gods (63 t.)
Exodus 20:3 (=
Deuteronomy 5:7)
Deuteronomy 23:13 (both J E)
Joshua 24:2,16 (E)
1 Samuel 26:19;
Hosea 3:1, & particularly in Deuteronomy (
Hosea 6:14;
Deuteronomy 8:19 15t.) & Deuteronomic writers, as
Joshua 23:16;
Judges 2:12,17,19 Jeremiah (18 t.) & compiler of Kings; once
Exodus 34:14 (JE). So alone
Isaiah 42:8;
Psalm 16:4. Of time,
following, next (rare)
Genesis 17:21 (P) in the
next year;
2 Kings 6:29 ;
Joel 1:3;
Psalm 109:13 in poetry
the next Generation (
Judges 2:10 in prose =
another Generation).
Topical Lexicon
Semantic Scopeאַחֵר spans the spectrum from simple numerical succession (“another day,”Genesis 8:10) to moral and spiritual divergence (“other gods,”Exodus 20:3). Whether the term points to a different individual, an alternate object, or a rival deity, it always signals distinction. That distinction may be benign (a second ox,Exodus 21:36) or perilous (foreign worship,Deuteronomy 6:14).
Covenant Loyalty versus “Other Gods”
More than half the occurrences appear in the covenantal formula לֹא־יִהְיֶה לְךָ אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים (“You shall have no other gods,”Exodus 20:3;Deuteronomy 5:7). Here אַחֵר becomes a theological dividing line. The term underscores the exclusive relationship between YHWH and Israel: any rival is, by definition, “other.” The prophets repeatedly indict Israel for turning to these “other gods,” tracing national calamity to that betrayal (Jeremiah 1:16;Hosea 3:1). Thus אַחֵר is central to biblical monotheism, stressing that deviation is not merely additive but treasonous.
Holiness and Separation
Leviticus employs אַחֵר to differentiate clean from unclean and holy from common. When a priestly text warns against “strange fire” (Leviticus 10:1), it pairs אֵשׁ זָרָה with the logic of אַחֵר: any worship element outside divine prescription is “other” and therefore forbidden. The word, then, becomes a linguistic fence around holiness.
Social Justice and Personal Ethics
In civil law the term safeguards neighborly relations: returning “another man’s donkey” (Exodus 23:4), respecting “another man’s field” (Deuteronomy 23:25), or testifying truthfully against “another” (Deuteronomy 19:16). Here אַחֵר secures personal rights within the covenant community, reinforcing love of neighbor by acknowledging distinct ownership and identity.
Kingship and Political Intrigue
Historical narratives highlight the dangers of “another house” usurping the throne (1 Samuel 24:20) or “another king” arising who “did not know Joseph” (Exodus 1:8). The term frames regime change as a departure from divinely ordered continuity, inviting readers to discern God’s providence amid political shifts.
Wisdom Literature
Proverbs warns, “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth” (Proverbs 27:2). Here אַחֵר curbs pride, teaching that legitimate honor comes from an outside witness. Ecclesiastes laments toil that benefits “another who never labored over it” (Ecclesiastes 4:8), exposing the emptiness of self-centered ambition.
Prophetic Anticipation of the New Covenant
Jeremiah 31:22 foretells, “The LORD will create a new thing on earth,” using אַחֵר conceptually to herald a work unlike previous acts. The promise of “another” sort of covenant (Jeremiah 31:31) prepares the way for the Messiah, in whom discontinuity from the old order becomes redemptive fulfillment rather than rebellion.
Foreshadowing in the Psalms
Psalm 81:9 repeats the Decalogue warning: “There must be no strange god among you; you must not bow down to a foreign god.” The psalmist interprets national distress through the lens of אַחֵר, echoing Sinai and urging wholehearted return.
Typology and the Suffering Servant
Isaiah 53:2 describes the Servant as having “no beauty that we should desire Him,” setting Him apart as “other” in appearance yet uniquely appointed by God. The paradox of the rejected “other” who becomes cornerstone (Psalm 118:22) prepares readers for Jesus Christ, the one distinct yet pre-eminent.
New Testament Resonance
Although Greek terms are employed, the Septuagint often renders אַחֵר with ἕτερος or ἄλλος. When Paul warns of “a different gospel” (Galatians 1:6), he invokes the moral freight already loaded into אַחֵר: any alternative message stands condemned as alien to Christ.
Pastoral and Missional Applications
1. Guard Worship: Churches must vigilantly exclude “other” objects of trust—be they wealth, ideology, or celebrity—echoing the first commandment.
2. Maintain Holiness: Liturgical innovation is welcome, but only insofar as it honors God’s revealed character; unauthorized fire remains deadly.
3. Champion Neighbor Love: Recognizing the legitimate claims of “another” safeguards property, reputation, and dignity.
4. Discern Cultural Change: Political upheaval calls believers to rest in divine sovereignty, discerning providence when “another king” arises.
5. Proclaim Exclusivity of Christ: In evangelism the category of אַחֵר clarifies that Jesus is not merely one option among many but the unique Savior.
Conclusion
From Sinai to the prophets, from wisdom sayings to messianic hope, אַחֵר functions as Scripture’s linguistic signpost marking the boundary between fidelity and deviation. It calls God’s people to steadfast worship, holy living, and faithful witness in a world forever tempted by the allure of “other” paths.
Forms and Transliterations
אֲחֵר֔וֹת אֲחֵר֗וֹת אֲחֵרִ֑ים אֲחֵרִ֔ים אֲחֵרִ֖֜ים אֲחֵרִ֖ים אֲחֵרִ֗ים אֲחֵרִ֛ים אֲחֵרִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֤ים אֲחֵרִֽים׃ אֲחֵרִֽין׃ אֲחֵרִים֙ אֲחֵרֽוֹת׃ אֲחֵרוֹת֙ אַ֝חֵ֗ר אַחֵ֑ר אַחֵ֔ר אַחֵ֖ר אַחֵ֗ר אַחֵ֛ר אַחֵ֜ר אַחֵ֣ר אַחֵ֥ר אַחֵ֪ר אַחֵֽר׃ אַחֵר֙ אַחֶ֑רֶת אַחֶ֔רֶת אַחֶ֖רֶת אַחֶ֗רֶת אַחֶ֙רֶת֙ אַחֶ֛רֶת אחר אחר׃ אחרות אחרות׃ אחרים אחרים׃ אחרין׃ אחרת הָאַחֵ֗ר הָאַחֵֽר׃ הָאַחֶ֗רֶת הָאַחֶ֙רֶת֙ הָאַחֶ֜רֶת הָאַחֶֽרֶת׃ האחר האחר׃ האחרת האחרת׃ וְאַחֵ֣ר וְלַאֲחֵרִ֖ים ואחר ולאחרים לְאַחֵ֣ר לְאַחֵ֥ר לַאֲחֵרִ֔ים לַאֲחֵרִ֗ים לַאֲחֵרִ֣ים לַאֲחֵרִֽים׃ לָאַחֶֽרֶת׃ לאחר לאחרים לאחרים׃ לאחרת׃ מֵאַחֶ֛רֶת מאחרת ’a·ḥe·reṯ ’ă·ḥê·rîm ’ă·ḥê·rîn ’ă·ḥê·rō·wṯ ’a·ḥêr ’aḥêr ’aḥereṯ ’ăḥêrîm ’ăḥêrîn ’ăḥêrōwṯ aCher aCheret acheRim acheRin acheRot hā’aḥêr hā’aḥereṯ hā·’a·ḥe·reṯ hā·’a·ḥêr haaCher haaCheret lā’aḥereṯ la’ăḥêrîm lā·’a·ḥe·reṯ la·’ă·ḥê·rîm laaCheret laacheRim lə’aḥêr lə·’a·ḥêr leaCher mê’aḥereṯ mê·’a·ḥe·reṯ meaCheret veaCher velaacheRim wə’aḥêr wə·’a·ḥêr wə·la·’ă·ḥê·rîm wəla’ăḥêrîm
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