Lexical Summary
asher: who, which, that, when, where, how
Original Word:אֲשֶׁר
Part of Speech:particle of relation; connecting link; conjunction; adverb; conjunction; adverb; conjunction; conjunction; relative particle; pronoun; conjunction
Transliteration:asher
Pronunciation:ah-sher
Phonetic Spelling:(ash-er')
KJV: X after, X alike, as (soon as), because, X every, for, + forasmuch, + from whence, + how(-soever), X if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), X though, + until, + whatsoever, when, where (+ -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, + whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se) As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection
NASB:which, who, whom, what, whose, where, because
Word Origin:[a primitive relative pronoun (of every gender and number)]
1. who, which, what, that
2. (as adverb) when, where, how
3. (as conjunction) because, in order that, etc
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
after, alike, as soon as, because, every, for, forasmuch, from whence,
A primitive relative pronoun (of every gender and number); who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc. -- X after, X alike, as (soon as), because, X every, for, + forasmuch, + from whence, + how(-soever), X if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), X though, + until, + whatsoever, when, where (+ -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, + whither(- soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection.
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origina prim. pronoun
Definitionwho, which, that
NASB Translationalthough (1), anyone (1), because (45), because* (73), before* (3), concerning* (1), deadly* (1), everything* (2), everywhere* (2), how (24), how* (6), if (8), inasmuch (1), inasmuch* (2), just (1), just* (6), much (1), powder* (1), reason (1), set (1), since (3), since* (5), so (9), so* (1), steward* (4), storehouses (1), such (8), such* (2), than* (1), therefore (1), these (2), this (1), though* (1), unless* (1), until* (35), what (166), what* (8), whatever (16), whatever* (40), when (44), when* (1), whenever (1), where (49), where you how (1), where* (136), whereas* (1), whereby (1), wherein (1), wherever (4), wherever* (27), which (1925), which he and how (1), which* (1), whichever (1), while (1), while those who (1), who (1), who (850), whoever (4), whoever* (13), whom (345), whom* (1), whomever (1), whomever* (3), whose (80), whose remains when (1), why (2).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
(Moabite
id.; origin dubious:
according to TsepreghiDiss. Lugd. p. 171 MühlauBö. Lb. ii. 79 n. StaMorg. Forsch. 1875, 188; Lb. § 167 HomZMG 1878, 708 ff. Müll§ 153 SayceHebraica. ii. 51 LagM. i. 255 & especially KraeHebraica. vi. 298 ff, originally a substantive 'place' =
footstep, mark,
(do.), ,
place, Assyrianašru, used (see Kraetz.) both as a substantive 'there, where,' and as a relative of place 'where': in Hebrew this development has advanced further, and it has become a relative sign Generally. The chief objection to this explanation is that it would isolate Hebrew from the other Semitic languages, in which pronouns are formed regularly fromdemonstrative roots (compare also NöZMG 1886, 738).
according to PhiSt. C. 73 SperlingNota Rel. im Hebr. 1876, 15-22 for , developed from the relative (q. v.) by (1) the prefixing of either a merely prosthetic , or, better, a pronominal (giving rise to , the form of the relative in Phoenician), and (2) the addition of the demonstrative root [found also in , , (q. v.),
he who,
who (plural)]: the main objection to this explanation is the change of to , which is hardly rendered probable by the compare of Syriac
by side of . , the primitive root having acquired different significations in the different Semitic languages, and having been weakened in Hebrew to a mere particle of relation). A
, bringing the clause introduced by it into relation with an antecedent clause. As a rule is a mere
, and requires to be supplemented (see the grammars) by a pronominal affix, or other word, such as , defining the nature of the relation more precisely: e.g.Genesis 1:11 literallyas to which, its seed is in it = in which is its seed,Psalm 1:4 like the chaffas to which, the wind drives it = which the wind drives, etc.; & so =where, =whence,Genesis 2:11;Genesis 3:23;Genesis 20:13 etc. Sometimes also (see below) the relation expressed by it is specifically temporal, local causal, etc. More particularly
it includes its pronominal antecedent, whether in the nominative or oblique cases, asNumbers 22:6 andhe whom thou cursest is cursed,Exodus 4:12 and I will teach theethat which thou shalt say; and with particles or prepositions, as (according to the context)him who . . ., those who . . ., that which . . .; tohim who . . .Genesis 43:16, tothose who . . .Genesis 47:24, tothat whichGenesis 27:8;Judges 16:30;2 Samuel 18:18than those whom;Leviticus 27:24to him from whom he bought it,Numbers 5:7;Isaiah 24:2like him against whom there is a creditor.
instances of followed by a pronominal affix, or by , , , are so common that the examples cited above will be sufficient. Very rarely there occurs the anomalous constructionGenesis 31:32 for (seeGenesis 44:9),Isaiah 47:12 for , forEzekiel 23:40:Psalm 119:49 see under . It is followed by the pronoun in thenominative, in the following cases: — (a) immediately, mostly before an adjective or participle,Genesis 9:3 all moving things which are living,Leviticus 11:26;Numbers 9:13;Numbers 14:8,27;Numbers 35:31;Deuteronomy 20:20;1 Samuel 10:19 (see Dr)2 Kings 25:19 (""Jeremiah 52:25 )Jeremiah 27:9;Ezekiel 43:19;Haggai 1:9;Ruth 4:15;Nehemiah 2:18;Ecclesiastes 7:26; before a verb2 Kings 22:13 (omitted 2 Chronicles 34:21). (b) in anegative sentence, at the end:Genesis 7:2;Genesis 17:12;Numbers 17:5;Deuteronomy 17:15 who is not thy brother,Deuteronomy 20:15;Judges 19:12;1 Kings 8:41 ""1 Kings 9:20 "".Psalm 16:3 is an unparalleled expression for 'who are in the land'; read 'the saints that are in the land, they () are the nobles, in whom,' etc.
sometimes (though rarely) the defining adjunct is a pronoun of 1 or 2 person as well as of 3 person. In such cases it is strictly to be renderedI who . . ., thou who, etc.;Hosea 14:4thou by whom the fatherless is compassionated !Jeremiah 31:32I, whose covenant they brake,Jeremiah 32:19;Isaiah 49:23;Job 37:17f.thou whose garments are warm . . ., canst thou ? etc.,Psalm 71:19;Psalm 71:20;Psalm 144:12we whose sons, etc.,Psalm 139:15 my frame was not hidden from thee,I who was wrought in secret (=though I was wrought in secret),Exodus 14:13 forye who have seen the Egyptians to-day, — ye shall not see them again for ever! (comparePsalm 41:9).
the defining pron. adjunct isdispensed with —
when represents the simple subject of a sentence, or the direct object of a verb: so constantly, asGenesis 2:1 the workwhich he made,Genesis 3:3 the treewhich is in the midst of the garden, etc.
after words denoting time, place, or manner, so that then becomes equivalent towhen, where, why: (a)Genesis 6:4 afterwards,when, etc. (compare 2 Chronicles 35:20)Genesis 45:6 there are still 5 yearswhen there shall be no plowing,Joshua 14:10;1 Kings 22:25; after orDeuteronomy 4:10;Judges 4:14;1 Samuel 24:5 (see Dr)2 Samuel 19:25;Jeremiah 20:14 and elsewhere; similarlyGenesis 40:13. ()Genesis 35:13 in the placewhere he spake with him,Genesis 35:14;Genesis 39:20;Numbers 13:27;Numbers 22:26;Deuteronomy 1:31 in the desert which thou sawest,where (accents Ke Di),Deuteronomy 8:15;1 Kings 8:9 (unless has here fallen out: see &Deuteronomy 9:9)Isaiah 55:11;Isaiah 64:10;Psalm 84:4. So () into (the place)which (orwhither)Exodus 32:34;Ruth 1:16;to every (place)whitherJoshua 1:16;Proverbs 17:8;in (the place)whereJudges 5:27;Judges 17:8,9;1 Samuel 23:13;2 Kings 8:1;Ruth 1:16,17;Job 39:30, once only withGenesis 21:17;wheresoeverJoshua 1:7,9;Judges 2:15;1 Samuel 14:47;1 Samuel 18:5;2 Samuel 7:7;2 Kings 18:7;from (the place)where =whencesoeverExodus 5:11;Ruth 2:9;to (the place)whither (orwhich)2 Samuel 15:20;1 Kings 18:12;Jeremiah 1:7. () this is the reasonthat orwhy . . .Joshua 5:4;1 Kings 11:27.
more extreme instancesLeviticus 14:22,30,31;Numbers 6:21;Deuteronomy 7:19 (wherewith),Deuteronomy 28:20;1 Samuel 2:32 (wherein),1 Kings 2:26;Judges 8:15 (about whom),Isaiah 8:12 (where would be followed normally by ),Isaiah 31:6 turn ye to (him as to) whom they have deeply rebelled,Isaiah 47:15;Zephaniah 3:11;Ecclesiastes 3:9;1 Kings 14:19 (= how).
it is dispensed with only in appearance after followed by the words used, its place being really taken by a pronoun in the speech which follows, asGenesis 3:17 the treeas to which I commanded thee saying, Thou shalt not eatfrom it,Exodus 22:8;Deuteronomy 28:68;Judges 7:4 ()Judges 8:15 (where the noun repeated takes the place of the pronoun, compareDeuteronomy 9:2)1 Samuel 9:17 ():23 +; compare2 Samuel 11:16;2 Kings 17:12;2 Kings 21:4.
sometimes in poetry =one who, a man who (men who), , ,Psalm 24:4;Psalm 55:20;Psalm 95:4;Psalm 95:5;Job 4:19;Job 5:5;Job 9:5 (Hi)Job 15:17.
occasionally receives its closer definition by a substantivefollowing it, in other words, its logical antecedent is inserted in the relative clause: (a) in the phrase peculiar to Jeremiah, that which came (of) the word of to JeremiahJeremiah 14:1;Jeremiah 46:1;Jeremiah 47:1;Jeremiah 49:34 (compare Ew§ 334); (b)Exodus 25:9;Numbers 33:4;1 Samuel 25:30;2 Kings 8:12;2 Kings 12:6Ezekiel 12:25; compare the Ethiopic usage Di§ 201; (c) (antecedantrepeated)Genesis 49:30 =Genesis 50:13,1 Samuel 25:30 ( repeated),Isaiah 54:9 (probably)as to which I sware that, etc.,Amos 5:1 which I take up over you (as) a dirge.
that (belongs, belong,belonged) to, is used
either alone or preceded by to express(all) that (belongs) to, asGenesis 14:23 of all that isthine,Genesis 31:1 ofthat which was our father's,Genesis 32:24 & sent overthat which he had, + often
as a circumlocution of the Genitive, asGenesis 29:9 with the sheepthat were her father's,Genesis 40:5;Genesis 47:4;Leviticus 9:8;Judges 6:11;1 Samuel 25:7 ,2 Samuel 14:31 ,2 Samuel 23:8;1 Kings 1:8,33 upon mine own mule,1 Kings 1:49;1 Kings 4:2;2 Kings 11:10;2 Kings 16:13;Ruth 2:21; and especially in the case of a compound expression depending on a single Genitive, asGenesis 23:9;Genesis 40:5;Genesis 41:43 the chariot of the second rankwhich he had,Exodus 38:30;Judges 3:20;Judges 6:25;1 Samuel 17:40;1 Samuel 21:8 the mightiest ofSaul's herdmen,1 Samuel 24:5 ,2 Samuel 2:8 Saul's captain of the host,1 Kings 10:28;1 Kings 15:20;1 Kings 22:31;Jeremiah 52:17;Ruth 4:3.
with names of places (especially such as do not readily admit the stative construct)Judges 18:28;Judges 19:14 Gibeah (the hill) of Benjamin,Judges 20:4;1 Samuel 17:1;1 Kings 15:27;1 Kings 16:15;1 Kings 17:9;1 Kings 19:3;2 Kings 14:11. compare (q. v.) which in Rabb, like the Aramaic -,
, is in habitual use as a mark of the Genitive. — In Aramaic also ,
, without , expresses the Genitive relation, as , literally the word,that of the king = the word of the king. The few apparent cases of a similar use of are, however, too foreign to the General usage of the language to be regarded otherwise than as due to textual error:1 Samuel 13:8 read (orExodus 19:5) ( );1 Kings 11:25 supply ( );2 Kings 25:10 supplywith (as ""Jeremiah 52:14); 2Chronicles 34:22 read (compare ) and those whom the king appointed (abbreviated from2 Kings 22:14); compare Ew§ 292 a, b with note.
becomes, like Aramaic ,
, a
: thus
=quod, ,that, subordinating an entire sentence to a verb of knowing, remembering, etc. (a) withDeuteronomy 9:7 forget notthe fact that (=how) thou provokedst, etc.,Deuteronomy 29:15;Joshua 2:10;1 Samuel 24:11;1 Samuel 24:19;2 Samuel 11:20 know ye nothow they shoot from off the wall ?2 Kings 8:12;Isaiah 38:3 #NAME?1 Kings 14:19;2 Kings 14:15;2 Kings 20:20. Of time (peculiarly)2 Samuel 14:15 now (is it)that . . .Zechariah 8:20 (probably) yet (shall it be)that . . .Zechariah 8:23; compareSongs 3:4. () without (not very common, being usually employed): afterExodus 11:7;Ezekiel 20:26 (very strange in Ezekiel: see Hi)Job 9:5 (Ew De Di)Ecclesiastes 8:12,Deuteronomy 1:31 (RV)1 Samuel 18:15, to confessLeviticus 5:5;Leviticus 26:40 b,1 Kings 22:16 (caused to swearthat . . .); after a nounIsaiah 38:7 the signthat . . . (""2 Kings 20:9 ): with growing frequency in late Hebrew, 2 Chron 2:7, and especially Nehemiah, Esther:Nehemiah 2:5,10;Nehemiah 7:65 (=Ezra 2:63)Nehemiah 8:14,15;Nehemiah 10:31;Nehemiah 13:1,19,22;Esther 1:19;Esther 2:10;Esther 3:4;Esther 4:11;Esther 6:2;Esther 8:11;Ecclesiastes 3:22 ()Ecclesiastes 5:4;Ecclesiastes 7:18 (with : contrastRuth 2:22)Ruth 2:22;Ruth 2:29; Ruth 8:12; Ruth 8:14; Ruth 9:1;Daniel 1:8 (twice in verse). () prefixed to adirect citation, like q. v. (=recitativum) (rare)1 Samuel 15:20;2 Samuel 1:4;2 Samuel 2:4 (see Dr)Psalm 10:6 (probably),Nehemiah 4:6.
it is resolvable intoso that:Genesis 11:7so that they understand not, etc.,Genesis 13:16;Genesis 22:14 so that it is said,Exodus 20:26;Deuteronomy 4:10,40Deuteronomy 6:3;Deuteronomy 28:27,51;1 Kings 3:12,13;2 Kings 9:37;Malachi 3:19.
it has a causal force,forasmuch as, in that, since:Genesis 30:18;Genesis 31:49 and Mizpah,for that he said,Genesis 34:13,27;Genesis 42:21 we are guilty,we who saw (or,in that we saw),Numbers 20:13 Meribah,because they strove there,Deuteronomy 3:24;Joshua 4:7,23;Joshua 22:31;Judges 9:17;1 Samuel 2:23;1 Samuel 15:15;1 Samuel 20:42 go in peace,forasmuch as we have sworn,1 Samuel 25:26thou whom (= or,seeing that) hath withholden,2 Samuel 2:5 blessed are ye of , ,who () have done (orin that ye have done),1 Kings 3:19;1 Kings 15:5;2 Kings 12:3;2 Kings 17:4;2 Kings 23:26;Jeremiah 16:13;Ecclesiastes 8:11,12 (Hi De Now). Here also belongs its use insince why . . . ? (=lest)Daniel 1:10: see below . Onforasmuch asJob 34:27 see below .
it expresses acondition (rare & peculiar):Leviticus 4:22 in (case) that =when (orif) a ruler sinneth (Leviticus 4:3;Leviticus 4:13;Leviticus 4:37 ),Numbers 5:29 (explained differently by Ew§ 334 a),Deuteronomy 11:27 and the blessingif ye hearken (Deuteronomy 11:28 ),Deuteronomy 18:22 Ges,Joshua 4:21when they ask . . ., then . . . (Joshua 4:6 ),Isaiah 31:4. In1 Kings 8:33 ("" 2 Chronicles 6:24 , compare Kings2 Chronicles 6:35;2 Chronicles 6:37) may be rendered indifferentlybecause orwhen. Once, similarly,1 Kings 8:31 ("" ).
perhaps (exceptionally) = ,as,Jeremiah 33:22;Isaiah 54:9 (followed by ; but q. v. sometimes stands without , & may in these passages connect with what precedes); according to some alsoJeremiah 48:8;Psalm 106:34 (in a connection where would be more usual: may however be the object of ). In1 Samuel 16:7 read , see Dr.
combined with prepositions, converts them into conjunctions: see below, , , . On its use similarly with , , , , , , , , , , , , see these words. — , withinterrogative, occurs once,2 Kings 6:22. InDeuteronomy 15:14 also read : note before.
1 being a connecting link, without any perfectly corresponding equivalent in English, its force is not unfrequently capable of being represented in more than one way. See e.g.2 Samuel 2:5 (above
),Isaiah 28:12 untowhom he said, orfor that he said tothem.
2. The opinion that has an asseverative force (like , q. v.), or introduces the apodosis, is not probably, being both alien to its General usage & not required by the passages alleged. RenderIsaiah 8:20 either 'Surely according to this word will those speakwho have no dawn,' or '. . . will they speakwhen (compare above
Deuteronomy 11:27;Joshua 4:21) they have no dawn.'
19in (that)which . . .Isaiah 56:4;Isaiah 65:12;Isaiah 66:4 (above
);Ecclesiastes 3:9in (that, in)which ();Isaiah 47:12 (see
).
in (the place)where: above ().
in that, inasmuch as,Genesis 39:9,23;Ecclesiastes 7:2;Ecclesiastes 8:4; compare
.
Jonah 1:8on account of whom ? (on account of, framed on model of Aramaic : see below ).
see below .
17from (orthan)that which (him, them, etc.,that . . .)Genesis 3:11;Exodus 29:27 (twice in verse);Numbers 6:11 (seeLeviticus 4:26;Joshua 10:11;Judges 16:30;Isaiah 47:13 +;than that . . .Ecclesiastes 3:22;Esther 4:11.
from (the place)where: above ().
from (the fact)that . . ., sinceIsaiah 43:4.
(compare for the combined Aramaic , ) —
according to that which, according as, as:
Genesis 34:12 I will giveaccording as ye shall (or may) say unto me,Genesis 44:1;Exodus 8:23;Numbers 22:8;1 Samuel 2:16;Genesis 34:22 if we are circumcised ;Genesis 41:21as at the beginning, soJoshua 8:5,6;2 Samuel 7:10;Exodus 5:13Genesis 7:9 they came in two by two ,as God commanded Noah; so, or similarly, very often, especially in P,Genesis 7:16;Genesis 8:21;Genesis 12:4;Genesis 17:23;Genesis 21:1 (twice in verse);Exodus 16:24;Exodus 39:1,5,7;Numbers 3:16,42 etc.;Deuteronomy 1:21;Deuteronomy 2:1;Deuteronomy 6:3,19 #NAME? Deuteronomy.
answered, for increased emphasis, by (compare ),Genesis 50:12 ,Exodus 7:10,20;Genesis 18:5 (J) ,Exodus 10:10 (iron.),Amos 5:14 (do.); in opposed to order,Judges 1:7 , ,Exodus 7:6 , compareExodus 12:28,50;Exodus 39:43;Numbers 5:4;Numbers 17:26;Numbers 36:10 (all P); with imperfect (frequently)Numbers 2:17 (P) ; of degree =the more. . . the more,Exodus 1:12 , compareExodus 17:11 (JE)according as he held up, etc., Israel prevailed; in an oath or solemn promise,Numbers 14:28 ,Deuteronomy 28:63 (Jeremiah 31:28),1 Kings 1:30;Isaiah 10:11;Isaiah 14:24;Isaiah 52:14f. (see ).
(Dr§ 127 )Exodus 16:34;Numbers 1:19.
often insimiles (followed by imperfect of habit)Exodus 33:11 ,Numbers 11:12;Deuteronomy 1:44;Isaiah 9:2;Isaiah 66:20 +, answered byIsaiah 31:4;Isaiah 55:10;Isaiah 66:22;Amos 3:12 +; a second verb is, in such cases, in the perfect with consecutive (Dr§ 115)Deuteronomy 22:26;Isaiah 29:8 ,Isaiah 65:8;Amos 5:19.
(compare ) to beas if,Job 10:19 ,Zechariah 10:6 .
with acasual force,in so far as, since (Germandemgemäss dass),Genesis 26:29 if thou doest us no harmaccording as, in so far as, we have not touched thee;Numbers 27:14inasmuch as ye have defied my mouth,Judges 6:27;1 Samuel 28:18 (answered by ),2 Kings 17:26;Micah 3:4.
with atemporal force,when,Genesis 18:33 and Y. went awaywhen he had finished, etc.,Genesis 32:3;Genesis 32:32;1 Samuel 8:6;2 Samuel 12:21 +; answered by (Dr§ 127 ),1 Samuel 6:6;1 Samuel 12:8; and it came to pass, when . . .Genesis 12:11;Genesis 20:13;Genesis 24:22,52;Exodus 32:19 + often;Genesis 43:14 when I am bereaved, I am bereaved ! an expression of resignation, soEsther 4:16 .Joshua 2:7 is a 'conflate' reading, omit either or . Of future time,Genesis 27:40;Genesis 40:14 ,Hosea 7:12;Ecclesiastes 4:17;Ecclesiastes 5:3, and without a verbIsaiah 23:5 . —Micah 3:3 is simplyas that which,Job 29:25as one who.
, also (Genesis 6:3 [? see ],Judges 5:7 (twice in verse);Songs 1:7;Job 19:29 [?]) , inJudges 6:17, and inEcclesiastes 2:22,Ecclesiastes 3:18 (elsewhere before guttural , asSongs 1:6;Ecclesiastes 2:18,Psalm 146:3,Songs 6:5;Lamentations 4:9,Judges 7:12;Judges 8:26,Songs 5:2),
, etc. (constantly in Late Hebrew; Aramaic of Nerab, Ldzb371, 445; Assyriansha; Phoenician (regularly), also sometimes (Ldzb227f.): according to Ges Ew§ 181 b Olp. 439 Sta§ 176 e, abbreviated from ; more probably (Sperling [see ], Köii. 323 f.) an original demonstrative particle), synonym with , but in usage limited to late Hebrew, and passages with north Palestinian colouring, namelyJudges 5:7 (twice in verse) [Judges 5:27],Judges 6:17;Judges 7:12;Judges 8:26;2 Kings 6:11 (see ),Jonah 1:7,12;Jonah 4:10 [11t.],Psalm 122:3;Psalm 122:4;Psalm 123:2;Psalm 124:1;Psalm 124:2;Psalm 124:6;Psalm 129:6;Psalm 129:7;Psalm 133:2;Psalm 133:3;Psalm 135:2;Psalm 135:8;Psalm 135:10;Psalm 136:23;Psalm 137:8;Psalm 137:9;Psalm 144:15;Psalm 146:3;Psalm 146:5;Lamentations 2:15,16;Lamentations 4:9;Lamentations 5:18;Ezra 8:20;1 Chronicles 5:20;1 Chronicles 27:27; Canticles (uniformly, except in titleSongs 1:1); Ecclesiastes (68 t.; 89t.); also (dubious)Genesis 6:3;Genesis 49:10 ( ),Job 19:29; and in the proper name (q. v.) and . — In usage, is in the main parallel with , namely as
who, which, whom,Judges 7:12 (compare ),Psalm 122:3;Psalm 124:6 etc.;him whom, that which, etc.,Songs 1:7;Songs 3:1;1 Chronicles 27:27;Ecclesiastes 1:11;Ecclesiastes 6:3 and much (verb) isthat which his days amount to (Hi De and others),Ecclesiastes 6:10;that whichEcclesiastes 1:9 (twice in verse); in the Genitive,Psalm 137:8;Psalm 137:9;Psalm 146:5. — On in Eccl =whatever, what, seeb. ; =where (compare p. 81, and ),Ecclesiastes 1:7;Ecclesiastes 11:3 (compareGenesis 39:20 +: Ges§ 130c),whitherPsalm 122:4 (),whenSongs 8:8;Ecclesiastes 12:3 (compareib.
a). as a
(compare ); —that, afterEcclesiastes 2:13;Ecclesiastes 3:18,Ecclesiastes 1:17;Ecclesiastes 2:14;Ecclesiastes 9:5;Job 19:19 (?),Ecclesiastes 2:15,Ecclesiastes 8:14,Judges 6:17; as subject of sentence,Ecclesiastes 3:13;Ecclesiastes 5:15; also in the phrases,(a) what is ... that ?Songs 5:9 (usually ; seeb), how comes itthat ... ?Ecclesiastes 7:10; (b)Songs 3:4 hardly (was it)that (Germankaum dass) I had passed, etc.,Ecclesiastes 7:14 to the intentthat ...,Ecclesiastes 5:15 exactlyas ...,Ecclesiastes 12:9 besidesthat, (Judges 5:7) untilthatPsalm 123:2;Songs 2:7,17 + (see III.a andb; compare Late HebrewYomaSongs 5:1),whileSongs 1:12 (ib. ); to make or causethat ...,Ecclesiastes 3:14 (compareEzekiel 36:27). (compare ),because, since,Songs 1:6 (twice in verse);Songs 5:2;Ecclesiastes 2:18 b. HenceSongs 1:7since why ? = lest (seeb). , i. q. (p. 84a)in that, seeing that,Ecclesiastes 2:16; also (according to Hu De)Genesis 6:3because thathe also is flesh; but see . , i. q. p. 455: —(a) according asEcclesiastes 5:14;Ecclesiastes 12:7;(b) when (so often in Late Hebrew, asAbEcclesiastes 1:8 (3 t. in verse);Ecclesiastes 1:14)Ecclesiastes 9:12;Ecclesiastes 10:3. , i. q. (p. 84:a),2 Kings 6:12 who ofthose that are ours ? (but Klo KmpKau Benz whobetrays us ? compare );Ecclesiastes 5:4than that (compareEcclesiastes 3:22), +Ecclesiastes 2:24 (read with Ew De, etc.; compareEcclesiastes 3:22). , like ( ), , adding slight emphasis to the suffix,Songs 1:6 =Songs 8:12my vineyard (literally my vineyard, which is mine),Songs 3:7 (so often in Late Hebrew, but without any special emphasis, asAbothSongs 1:12 be of Aaron's disciples,Songs 2:1 ,Songs 2:2;Songs 3:2 ; compare
in Syriac, as Luke 6:42
my words, Nö§ 225). And with , literallythrough that which belongs to orconcerns, pleonastic foron account of (a late, unidiomatic translation of Aramaic , from , , and , as in OnkGenesis 12:13on my account,Genesis 30:27;Genesis 39:5 ,on account of what ?Judges 8:1;2 Samuel 9:1;1 Kings 11:12,39, etc.),Jonah 1:7on account of whom ? (""Jonah 1:8 ; probably a gloss),Jonah 1:12an account of me ( , );Ecclesiastes 8:17on account of (the fact)that (= seeing that) man labours, etc. (unidiomatic translation of Aramaicbecause that, asGenesis 6:3 ,Genesis 39:9 [for Hebrew ]; Palmyrene Ldzb233, — in TariffGenesis 1:4 (CookeN. Semitic Inscr. 320) = ).
[] see [ ].
Topical Lexicon
Overview of אֲשֶׁרOccurring about 5,502 times, אֲשֶׁר is the principal Hebrew relative particle, functioning much like “who,” “which,” “that,” “where,” or “because.” Its ubiquity means that nearly every page of the Old Testament displays its connective power. By linking clauses, it clarifies identity, grounds commands, frames promises, and ties narratives together, underlining the coherence of divine revelation.
Grammatical Roles
• Relative pronoun – introduces adjectival clauses.
–Genesis 12:1 “...to the land that I will show you.”
–Exodus 20:2 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.”
• Conjunction of reason or result – translated “because,” “for,” or “since.”
–1 Kings 3:11 “Because you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth...”
• Concessive — “although,” “even though.”
–Isaiah 53:9 “...although He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth.”
• Temporal — “when,” “whenever.”
–Judges 16:16 “When she pressed him day after day...”
• Locative — “where.”
–Genesis 28:13 “...the land on which you lie, I will give to you...”
• With prepositions – בַּאֲשֶׁר (“in that”), כַּאֲשֶׁר (“as, just as”), עַד־אֲשֶׁר (“until”).
–Deuteronomy 12:8 “You are not to do as we are doing here today, each doing whatever is right in his own eyes, until you cross the Jordan...”
• Resumptive particle – restates the antecedent to smooth Hebrew style.
–Numbers 13:27 “We went to the land to which you sent us.”
Key Theological Themes Highlighted by אֲשֶׁר
1. Covenant Identity
אֲשֶׁר attaches God’s name to His saving acts, continually reminding Israel of covenant realities.Exodus 20:2 grounds every commandment in the historic redemption “who brought you out.”
2. Promise and Fulfillment
The particle ties Abrahamic promises to later fulfillment.Genesis 15:18 “To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates,” foreshadowsJoshua 21:45, “Not one of all the LORD’s good promises to Israel failed.”
3. Holiness and Obedience
Leviticus 18’s repeated “which you shall not do” strengthens the call to moral distinctiveness. אֲשֶׁר links the prohibition directly to divine authority.
4. Messianic Expectation
Genesis 3:15 “He will crush your head” is introduced by the antecedent clause identified by אֲשֶׁר.Isaiah 53,Micah 5:2, andZechariah 12:10 all use the particle to identify the coming Servant or King, anchoring prophetic detail to historical fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
5. Worship and Wisdom
Psalms and Proverbs employ אֲשֶׁר in beatitudes and maxims.Psalm 1:1 “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,” sets the tone for the entire Psalter;Proverbs 3:13 “Blessed is the man who finds wisdom.”
6. Divine Sovereignty Over Nations
In prophetic oracles (Isaiah 14,Jeremiah 46–51), the phrase “nations which” introduces judgments, showing that every empire exists under God’s rule.
Historical Distribution
• Torah – foundational narratives and legislation use אֲשֶׁר to embed history within instruction.
• Former Prophets – narrative flow (Joshua–Kings) depends on it for genealogies, geography, and covenant assessments of kings.
• Latter Prophets – visions and oracles hinge on explanatory clauses introduced by the particle.
• Writings – poetry, wisdom, and post-exilic chronicles rely on it for parallelism and retrospective theology.
Representative Passages
Blessing:Numbers 6:27;Psalm 2:12.
Law:Deuteronomy 6:5;Leviticus 19:18.
Narrative:Genesis 22:14;1 Samuel 17:45.
Wisdom:Ecclesiastes 12:13.
Prophecy:Isaiah 7:14;Jeremiah 31:31.
Lament:Lamentations 3:25.
Hope:Daniel 12:1.
Intertextual and Typological Significance
New Testament writers often cite or allude to אֲשֶׁר-governed clauses. Peter quotesPsalm 34:12-16; Paul draws onDeuteronomy 30:12-14 (Romans 10:6-8). These connections demonstrate continuity in redemptive history and validate the Old Testament’s witness to Christ.
Pastoral and Ministry Implications
• Expository preaching benefits from tracing אֲשֶׁר clauses to show how commands rest on gospel indicatives.
• In counseling, passages likePsalm 32:2 “Blessed is the man whose iniquity the LORD does not count against him,” illuminate justification.
• Bible translation and study require recognizing the particle’s flexibility to preserve nuance and doctrinal clarity.
• Discipleship curricula can highlight beatitudes marked by אֲשֶׁר to teach the blessedness of obedience.
Practical Application for Believers
Reading with attention to אֲשֶׁר sharpens observation of cause and effect in Scripture, deepens appreciation of covenant promises, and fosters confidence that every divine statement is anchored in historical reality. From creation’s purpose to prophetic hope, the little word אֲשֶׁר quietly but powerfully threads the account of redemption together for the glory of God and the edification of His people.
Forms and Transliterations
אֲ֝שֶׁ֗ר אֲ֠שֶׁר אֲֽשֶׁר־ אֲשֶֽׁר־ אֲשֶׁ֕ר אֲשֶׁ֖ר אֲשֶׁ֖רׅ אֲשֶׁ֗ר אֲשֶׁ֛ר אֲשֶׁ֞ר אֲשֶׁ֡ר אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֲשֶׁ֣ר ׀ אֲשֶׁ֤֣ר אֲשֶׁ֤ר אֲשֶׁ֤ר ׀ אֲשֶׁ֥֣ר אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֲשֶׁ֧ר אֲשֶׁ֨ר אֲשֶׁ֪ר אֲשֶׁר אֲשֶׁר֙ אֲשֶׁר֩ אֲשֶׁר֮ אֲשֶׁר־ אֲשֶׁ֥ר אִ֣ישׁ איש אשר אשר־ בַּאֲשֶׁ֕ר בַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר בַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר בַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר בַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר בַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר באשר הַאֲשֶׁ֥ר האשר וְכַֽאֲשֶׁר֙ וְכַאֲשֶׁ֛ר וְכַאֲשֶׁ֣ר וְכַאֲשֶׁ֤ר וְכַאֲשֶׁ֥ר וְכַאֲשֶׁ֨ר וְכַאֲשֶׁר֙ וְלַֽאֲשֶׁ֖ר וְלַֽאֲשֶׁר֙ וְלַאֲשֶׁ֖ר וְלַאֲשֶׁ֣ר וְלַאֲשֶׁ֥ר וְלַאֲשֶׁ֧ר וַֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר וַֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר֩ וַֽאֲשֶׁר֙ וַֽאֲשֶׁר־ וַאֲשֶֽׁר־ וַאֲשֶׁ֖ר וַאֲשֶׁ֛ר וַאֲשֶׁ֣ר וַאֲשֶׁ֣ר ׀ וַאֲשֶׁ֤ר וַאֲשֶׁ֥֣ר וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר֩ וַאֲשֶׁ֧ר וַאֲשֶׁ֨ר וַאֲשֶׁ֪ר וַאֲשֶׁר֙ וַאֲשֶׁר֩ וַאֲשֶׁר־ וָֽאֵשֵׁ֔ב וּבַאֲשֶׁ֤ר וּבַאֲשֶׁ֥ר וּמֵאֲשֶׁ֣ר וּמֵאֲשֶׁ֥ר ואשב ואשר ואשר־ ובאשר וכאשר ולאשר ומאשר כַּ֝אֲשֶׁ֗ר כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֖ר כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֤ר כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֨ר כַּֽאֲשֶׁר֙ כַּֽאֲשֶׁר־ כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר ׀ כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר כַּאֲשֶׁ֧ר כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר כַּאֲשֶׁר֙ כַּאֲשֶׁר֩ כַּאֲשֶׁר־ כַאֲשֶׁ֣ר כַאֲשֶׁר־ כאשר כאשר־ לַ֠אֲשֶׁר לַֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר לַֽאֲשֶׁ֤ר לַֽאֲשֶׁר֙ לַאֲשֶׁ֖ר לַאֲשֶׁ֛ר לַאֲשֶׁ֣ר לַאֲשֶׁ֤ר לַאֲשֶׁ֥ר לַאֲשֶׁ֧ר לַאֲשֶׁ֨ר לַאֲשֶׁר־ לאשר לאשר־ מֵאֲשֶׁ֖ר מֵאֲשֶׁ֥ר מֵאֲשֶׁ֨ר מאשר ’ă·šer ’ă·šer- ’ăšer ’ăšer- ’îš aSher asheroSha asheroShi asherSa ba’ăšer ba·’ă·šer baaSher chaaSher ha’ăšer ha·’ă·šer haaSher Ish ka’ăšer ḵa’ăšer ka’ăšer- ḵa’ăšer- ka·’ă·šer ḵa·’ă·šer ka·’ă·šer- ḵa·’ă·šer- kaaSher la’ăšer la’ăšer- la·’ă·šer la·’ă·šer- laaSher mê’ăšer mê·’ă·šer meaSher ū·ḇa·’ă·šer ū·mê·’ă·šer ūḇa’ăšer ūmê’ăšer umeaSher uvaaSher vaaSher vaeShev vechaaSher velaaSher wa’ăšer wa’ăšer- wā’êšêḇ wa·’ă·šer wa·’ă·šer- wā·’ê·šêḇ wə·ḵa·’ă·šer wə·la·’ă·šer wəḵa’ăšer wəla’ăšer
Links
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Strong's Numbers •
Englishman's Greek Concordance •
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