עָשַׂר
to tithe, i.e. to take or give atenth
Definition
The Hebrew verb עָשַׂר means to take or give a tenth, specifically to tithe. It denotes the action of setting aside one-tenth of one's produce, livestock, or income as a sacred offering to God, as commanded in Deuteronomy 14:22. In some contexts, it can also refer to a ruler or authority forcibly taking a tenth of the people's property, as seen in 1 Samuel 8:15-17, where Samuel warns that a future king will 'take the tenth' of crops and flocks. The act of tithing is presented both as a voluntary act of worship, as in Jacob's vow in Genesis 28:22, and as a mandatory religious duty in the Mosaic law.
Biblical Usage
This verb is used 7 times in the Old Testament, primarily in contexts of religious obligation and royal taxation. In the Pentateuch, it describes the divine command for Israelites to tithe their produce and livestock to support the Levites and the sanctuary (Deuteronomy 14:22, 26:12). In the historical books, it describes the oppressive practice of a king taking tithes from the people (1 Samuel 8:15, 8:17). In the post-exilic period, it appears in Nehemiah 10:37-38, where the people recommit to bringing the tithe to the temple storehouses. The usage thus spans covenantal worship, warning, and restoration.
Etymology
The verb עָשַׂר is a denominative verb derived from the noun עֶשֶׂר (H6235), meaning 'ten.' While it is a primitive root, its meaning is directly tied to this numeral, specifically the action related to a tenth part. It is identical in form to the root עָשַׁר (H6238), meaning 'to be or become rich,' which involves the idea of accumulation, but the two are distinct in usage. עָשַׂר is exclusively used in the context of tithing or taking a tenth.
Semantic Range
This word is central to the biblical concept of tithing, which embodies the principles of God's ownership, human stewardship, and provision for worship. Tithing acknowledged that all blessings come from God (Deuteronomy 26:10-11) and provided for the Levitical priesthood and the poor (Deuteronomy 14:28-29). The warning in 1 Samuel 8:15-17 contrasts God's righteous tithing system with the exploitative taking by a human king, highlighting a theology of just leadership. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the study of offerings, covenant faithfulness, and the relationship between material possessions and spiritual devotion.
In ancient Israelite culture, tithing was a well-established religious and economic practice. It was not merely a charitable donation but a sacred obligation tied to the land's produce and livestock, reflecting an agrarian society. The tithe supported the tribe of Levi, who had no land inheritance, and maintained the central sanctuary. The concept differed from modern voluntary giving, as it was a mandated proportion (one-tenth) of one's increase, often brought to a communal storage facility (Nehemiah 10:38). The negative use in 1 Samuel reflects the cultural fear of a centralized monarchy imposing heavy taxes on agricultural yields.
תְּרוּמָה (terumah, H8641) — a 'contribution' or 'heave offering'; a specific portion set apart, but not necessarily a fixed tenth. מַעֲשֵׂר (ma'aser, H4643) — the noun 'tithe' or 'tenth part,' the direct object of the verb עָשַׂר.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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