Lexical Summary
asar or esreh: Ten, -teen (as in thirteen, fourteen, etc.)
Original Word:עָשָׂר
Part of Speech:Noun
Transliteration:`asar
Pronunciation:ah-SAR or es-REH
Phonetic Spelling:(aw-sawr')
KJV: (eigh-, fif-, four-, nine-, seven-, six-, thir-)teen(-th), + eleven(-th), + sixscore thousand, + twelve(-th)
Word Origin:[forH6235 (עֶשֶׂר עֲשָׂרָה - ten)]
1. ten
2. (only in combination), i.e. -teen
3. (ordinal) -teenth
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
ten, teen, tenth
Foreser; ten (only in combination), i.e. -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth -- (eigh-, fif-, four-, nine-, seven-, six-, thir-)teen(-th), + eleven(-th), + sixscore thousand, + twelve(-th).
see HEBREWeser
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom the same as
eserDefinitionten
NASB Translation1,017* (2), 112* (3), 12* (2), 12,000* (8), 120,000* (1), 13* (1), 14,000* (1), 14,700* (1), 15* (1), 15,000* (1), 16,000* (2), 16,750* (1), 17,200* (1), 18* (2), 18,000* (6), 2,812* (1), 2,818* (1), 212* (1), 218* (1), eighteen* (8), eighteenth* (11), eleven* (15), eleventh* (17), fifteen* (14), fifteenth* (17), fourteen* (17), fourteenth* (23), nineteen* (3), nineteenth* (4), seventeen* (5), seventeenth* (6), sixteen* (18), sixteenth* (3), thirteen* (12), thirteenth* (11), twelfth* (22), twelve* (93).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
203,
144 , only after units to make numbers 11-19, both cardinal and ordinal; with
, with
, thus:
eleven:
(with masculine noun)Genesis 32:23 2t.
(with feminine noun)2 Kings 23:36 7t.; also =eleventh1 Kings 6:38;2 Kings 9:29.
(with masculine noun)Numbers 29:20; ordinalDeuteronomy 1:3 7t.
(with feminine noun)Exodus 26:7 4t.; ordinalJeremiah 1:3 4t.
twelve:
(with masculine noun)Genesis 35:22 80t. ordinal1 Kings 19:19 12t.
(with feminine noun)Exodus 24:4 31t.; ordinal2 Kings 8:25 6t.
thirteen:
(with masculine noun)Numbers 29:14 2t.; ordinalEsther 3:12 7t.
(with feminine noun)1 Kings 7:1 9t.; ordinalGenesis 14:4 2t.
fourteen:
Genesis 46:22 13t.; ordinalExodus 12:6 17t.
Genesis 31:41 5t.; ordinal2 Kings 18:13 3t.
fifteen:
Hosea 3:2 3t.; ordinalExodus 16:1 14t.
Judges 8:10;2 Samuel 19:18.
2 Kings 14:17 9t.; ordinal2 Kings 14:23; 2Chronicles 15:10. — See also
sixteen:
Exodus 26:25 6t.; ordinal1 Chronicles 24:14 2t.
Genesis 46:18 13t.
seventeen:
1 Chronicles 7:11 2t.; ordinalGenesis 7:11 3t.
Genesis 37:2 4t.; ordinal1 Kings 22:52;2 Kings 16:1. — See also
eighteen:
Genesis 14:4 10t.; ordinal1 Chronicles 24:15;1 Chronicles 25:25.
Judges 3:14 6t.; ordinal1 Kings 15:1 8t.
nineteen:
2 Samuel 2:30; ordinal1 Chronicles 24:16;1 Chronicles 25:26.
Genesis 11:25;Joshua 19:38; ordinal2 Kings 25:8 =Jeremiah 52:12. These numbers usually take singular of the nouns most often used, , , , compare (sometimes) , , etc.; otherwise plural; rarely (late usage) they follow noun, which is then usually plural, e.g.Numbers 29:30;Joshua 15:51 (P),Ezra 8:35 (twice in verse);Esther 3:13;Esther 8:5, etc. (even NahEsther 5:14), but precedes ordinal1 Kings 6:38,1 Kings 15:1 8t., so (c. ordinal) 2 Chronicles 29:17 5t.Esther 9; also and both precede and following ordinalNumbers 7:72,78;2 Kings 8:25;2 Kings 9:29;2 Kings 14:23;2 Kings 16:1;Jeremiah 32:1;2 Kings 25:8 =Jeremiah 52:12. — See also Köii. 1. 211 ff. DaSynt. § 37 a, also R. 1, 2. Ges§§ 92d, e, 134, and especially HernerSynt. d. Zahlw-rter im AT {1893}; on form in (prob for ), Ol§ 110 Köii. 1, 427 WSG 138.
Topical Lexicon
Linguistic and Distribution OverviewThe numeral עָשָׂר occurs approximately three-hundred-thirty-eight times in the Hebrew Scriptures. It serves as the cardinal “ten” and, in compound form, produces the “-teen” numbers (eleven through nineteen). The usage permeates narrative, legal, poetic, and prophetic texts, giving the term a wide theological and practical reach.
Frequency by Canonical Division
• Torah: more than 140 uses, especially in Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers.
• Former Prophets: around 60 occurrences, notably in Joshua and 2 Samuel.
• Writings: roughly 80 instances, dominated by Psalms, Job, and Chronicles.
• Latter Prophets: about 60 uses, with concentrations in Ezekiel, Daniel, and Zechariah.
Covenantal Significance: The Ten Commandments
Exodus 34:28 declares, “And He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant—the Ten Commandments.” The numeral marks the foundational moral code given to Israel. The “ten words” form the ethical core that shapes subsequent law and prophetic admonition, underscoring the completeness and sufficiency of divine revelation for ordering covenant life.
Tithes and Sacred Portions
While the ordinal “tenth” employs a cognate, the cardinal ten undergirds the concept of giving a tenth to the Lord (Leviticus 27:30). The repeated emphasis on ten as a unit of dedication fosters a culture of worshipful stewardship. In ministry settings, teaching on the tithe draws upon the symbolic fullness of ten—acknowledging God’s ownership of all while cultivating habitual generosity.
Psalm 33:2: “Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre; make music to Him with a ten-stringed harp.” The ten-stringed instrument showcases artistic completeness in praise. Later references (Psalm 92:3) employ the same imagery, encouraging congregations to pursue excellence and fullness in musical worship.
Tribal and Military Organization
Numbers 11:16 records administrative groupings: “Gather for Me seventy men… officers over the people.” Parallel passages reveal subdivisions down to groups of tens (e.g.,Exodus 18:21). The decimal structure facilitates order, accountability, and rapid mobilization—principles still valuable for church leadership and small-group ministry.
Divine Judgment and Restraint
Genesis 18:32: “Then he said, ‘May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak once more. Suppose ten are found there.’ And He answered, ‘For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it.’” Ten becomes the minimal righteous remnant necessary to avert judgment on Sodom. The passage highlights both God’s justice and His mercy, offering a sobering reminder of corporate responsibility in intercession.
Tenfold Plagues and Testing
Although Exodus does not list the total explicitly, tradition counts ten plagues, each confronting an Egyptian deity and culminating in Israel’s deliverance.Numbers 14:22 later notes Israel’s tenfold testing of the LORD in the wilderness, contrasting His faithfulness with human unbelief. In teaching, these patterns emphasize that persistent rebellion invites discipline, while covenant faithfulness secures blessing.
Prophetic and Eschatological Images
Daniel 1:12 speaks of a “ten-day” test of fidelity to dietary convictions, foreshadowing future trials.Daniel 7:24 describes “ten kings” symbolized by horns, echoed in Revelation.Zechariah 8:23 foretells a universal pilgrimage: “In those days ten men from every language and nation will take firm hold of one Jew….” The recurrence of ten in eschatological contexts signals completeness of judgment and gathering.
Wisdom Literature
Ecclesiastes 7:19: “Wisdom makes the wise man stronger than ten rulers in a city.” Here ten represents consolidated human strength, yet still inferior to God-given wisdom. Similarly,Job 19:3 laments, “These ten times you have reproached me,” marking total exhaustion of friendly counsel. Such texts offer pastoral insight into perseverance and the limits of human insight.
Chronological Markers
The Hebrew calendar repeatedly identifies the tenth day for significant events:
• Tenth of the first month—selecting the Passover lamb (Exodus 12:3).
• Tenth of the seventh month—Day of Atonement (Leviticus 23:27).
These markers integrate redemption and reconciliation, encouraging believers to view time itself as structured by divine grace.
Typology and Theological Reflection
Throughout Scripture, ten conveys wholeness under God’s sovereign order. Whether in commandments, plagues, or prophetic visions, it testifies to the comprehensive scope of divine authority. In Christ’s teaching on the ten virgins (Matthew 25), this symbolism reaches forward, urging readiness for the Bridegroom’s return—a theme that harmonizes the Testaments and informs present-day discipleship.
Applications for Ministry Today
1. Discipleship: Utilize the Decalogue as a framework for moral formation, showing its fulfillment in Christ while affirming its ongoing ethical value.
2. Stewardship: Teach the tithe as a baseline of giving that recognizes God’s total ownership.
3. Leadership Structure: Implement small-group networks patterned after the biblical “tens” for pastoral care and accountability.
4. Worship: Encourage artistic excellence, drawing on the symbolism of ten-stringed instruments to inspire creativity devoted to God’s glory.
5. Intercession: Remind congregations of Abraham’s plea for ten righteous, motivating persistent prayer for communities and nations.
Conclusion
The recurring appearance of עָשָׂר weaves the number ten into the fabric of biblical history, law, worship, and prophecy. Its consistent thematic function—completeness under divine order—invites believers to respond with wholehearted obedience, generous stewardship, and vigilant hope.
Forms and Transliterations
הֶֽעָשָׂר֙ הֶעָשָׂ֑ר העשר עֶשְׂרֵ֑ה עֶשְׂרֵ֔ה עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה עֶשְׂרֵ֗ה עֶשְׂרֵ֛ה עֶשְׂרֵ֜ה עֶשְׂרֵ֞ה עֶשְׂרֵ֣ה עֶשְׂרֵ֤ה עֶשְׂרֵ֥ה עֶשְׂרֵ֨ה עֶשְׂרֵֽה׃ עֶשְׂרֵה֙ עָשָֽׂר־ עָשָֽׂר׃ עָשָׂ֑ר עָשָׂ֔ר עָשָׂ֖ר עָשָׂ֛ר עָשָׂ֜ר עָשָׂ֣ר עָשָׂ֤ר עָשָׂ֥ר עָשָׂ֨ר עָשָׂר֙ עָשָׂר֩ עָשָׂה֩ עשה עשר עשר־ עשר׃ עשרה עשרה׃ ‘ā·śāh ‘ā·śār ‘ā·śār- ‘āśāh ‘āśār ‘āśār- ‘eś·rêh ‘eśrêh aSah aSar esReh he‘āśār he·‘ā·śār heaSarLinks
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