Lexical Summary
ethmowl: Yesterday, formerly, in times past
Original Word:אֶתְמוֹל
Part of Speech:Adverb
Transliteration:ethmowl
Pronunciation:eth-mole
Phonetic Spelling:(eth-mole')
KJV: + before (that) time, + heretofore, of late (old), + times past, yester(day)
Word Origin:[probably fromH853 (אֵת - Not typically translated) orH854 (אֵת - against) andH4136 (מוּל מוֹל מוֹאל מוּל - opposite)]
1. heretofore
2. definitely yesterday
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
before that time, heretofore, of late old, times past, yesterday
Or tithmowl {ith-mole'}; or methmuwl {eth- mool'}; probably from'eth or'eth andmuwl; heretofore; definitely yesterday -- + before (that) time, + heretofore, of late (old), + times past, yester(day).
see HEBREW'eth
see HEBREW'eth
see HEBREWmuwl
Brown-Driver-Briggs
,
23,
5,
1 Samuel 10:11,
Isaiah 30:33;
Micah 2:8 (see infinitive),
, used sometimes as
, , figurative (Aramaic , , sometimes ,
,
,
Mandean NöM 202; Ethiopic
Assyriantimâli, itimâli, ina timâli (Dl158, 721); derivation dubious; according to MeiGr. Syr. 118 Köii. 264 f. from Arabic
II.prolongavit, IV.longam vitam concessit,
tempus,
the two times, i.e. night and day, in form an infinitive of VI.
; hence properlylong time, (past)time, specialized toyesterday); — yesterday, but usually figurative=recently orformerly:
2 Samuel 15:20yesterday (=only lately) was thy coming,Job 8:9 (of) yesterday (Ges§ 141d) are we,Psalm 90:4 (genitive) .
usuually in combination withyesterday (and)the third day, to express the idea offormerly: thus
asadverb accusative (a)1 Samuel 20:27 (literal), compareExodus 5:14 (sub );()Exodus 5:8RuthExodus 2:11, so1 Samuel 4:7;(c)2 Samuel 3:17;1 Chronicles 11:2 (""2 Samuel 5:2 with ).
as formerlyGenesis 31:2,5;Exodus 5:7;Joshua 4:18;1 Samuel 21:6 (but Bu , as ),2 Kings 13:5;1 Samuel 14:21;1 Samuel 19:7;Exodus 5:14as yesterday (and)the third day (= as formerly), both yesterday and to-day(=so more recently).
=(form) aforetime,Exodus 21:29,36;Joshua 3:6,Deuteronomy 4:42;Deuteronomy 19:4,6;Joshua 20:5; so1 Samuel 10:11;Exodus 4:10.
(alone)Isaiah 30:33from yesterday = already;Micah 2:8 corrupt, read (WRS, with ; We Now, with ), and see .
Topical Lexicon
Scope and Function in Scriptureאֶתְמוֹל designates the immediate past—“yesterday,” “formerly,” “recently,” or “in times gone by.” Its eight appearances span historical narrative, poetry, and prophecy, consistently anchoring the reader in a point of contrast between what was and what now is.
Narrative Uses: Marking Change and Continuity
1. Samuel employs the term four times to spotlight sudden reversals or unexpected continuities.
•1 Samuel 4:7 records Philistine panic when the ark enters Israel’s camp: “Woe to us! Nothing like this has happened before.” The word underscores the unprecedented nature of the event and heightens theological tension.
•1 Samuel 10:11 contrasts Saul’s “yesterday” identity with his Spirit-empowered prophesying, illustrating how divine intervention can overturn settled expectations.
•1 Samuel 14:21 notes Hebrews who had defected to the Philistines but “yesterday” belonged to Israel. The term exposes divided loyalties and God's capacity to reclaim compromised people.
•1 Samuel 19:7 speaks of David standing before Saul “as he did yesterday,” evoking the fragile restoration momentarily achieved through Jonathan’s mediation.
These occurrences show אֶתְמוֹל functioning like a narrative hinge: Israel’s history often turns on what God does “today” in contrast to “yesterday,” reminding readers that divine initiative, not human predictability, governs redemptive history.
Covenant Memory in Royal Transition
In2 Samuel 5:2 the elders cite David’s prior leadership: “Even previously, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and in.” אֶתְמוֹל validates David’s kingship by appealing to remembered experience. Covenant faithfulness is discerned through accumulated evidence; yesterday’s deeds warrant today’s trust.
Poetic Reflection on Human Transience
Psalm 90:4 elevates the word from human viewpoint to divine: “For in Your sight a thousand years are like a day that passes, or like a watch in the night.” In Moses’ prayer, “yesterday” becomes a metaphor for the brevity of all creaturely time, contrasting fleeting human life with the everlasting God. The term thus invites humility and sober numbering of days (Psalm 90:12).
Prophetic Warnings Rooted in History
Isaiah 30:33 declares Topheth “has long been prepared” (literally, “from yesterday”), emphasizing that judgment is neither impulsive nor unjust; it has been provisioned in God’s plan from ages past.
Micah 2:8 laments, “But recently My people have risen up like an enemy.” The use of אֶתְמוֹל confronts Judah with the immediacy of their apostasy; the shift from covenant loyalty to oppression has occurred almost overnight, intensifying the prophet’s indictment.
Theological Significance
1. Divine Sovereignty over Time: Whether describing God’s foreordained judgment (Isaiah 30:33) or His timeless perspective (Psalm 90:4), אֶתְמוֹל reinforces the biblical assertion that past, present, and future are under the Lord’s unchanging rule.
2. Continuity of Covenant Faithfulness: References in Samuel and 2 Samuel reveal that “yesterday’s” acts of deliverance or leadership establish a foundation for present obedience and future hope.
3. Moral Accountability: Prophetic uses press God’s people to remember deeds committed only “yesterday,” stripping away excuses of ignorance or forgetfulness.
Ministry and Homiletical Applications
• Encourage believers to recount God’s “yesterdays” as fuel for present trust, echoing the elders’ recognition of David’s proven leadership (2 Samuel 5:2).
• Expose the rapid progression of sin by contrasting the recent past with current rebellion, following Micah’s pattern.
• Highlight God’s timelessness in funerals or lament services throughPsalm 90:4, providing comfort amid human frailty.
• Warn against complacency with1 Samuel 10:11: the Spirit can transform the most familiar life; conversely, spiritual pride can calcify if yesterday’s grace is forgotten.
Conclusion
אֶתְמוֹל functions far beyond a mere chronological marker. From battlefield dread to prophetic admonition, it anchors Scripture’s testimony that God’s dealings with humanity are consistent yet continually fresh. Remembered rightly, “yesterday” becomes a catalyst for faith, repentance, and obedient expectancy for what the Lord will do today and forever.
Forms and Transliterations
אֶ֭תְמוֹל אֶתְמ֣וֹל אֶתְמ֥וֹל אתמול וְאֶתְמ֗וּל ואתמול כְּאֶתְמ֣וֹל כְּאֶתְמ֥וֹל כאתמול מֵֽאֶתְמוּל֙ מֵאִתְּמ֣וֹל מאתמול ’eṯ·mō·wl ’eṯmōwl etMol kə’eṯmōwl kə·’eṯ·mō·wl keetMol mê’eṯmūl mê’ittəmōwl mê·’eṯ·mūl mê·’it·tə·mō·wl meetMul meitteMol veetMul wə’eṯmūl wə·’eṯ·mūl
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