עַשְׁתְּרָה
increase
Definition
The Hebrew noun עַשְׁתְּרָה refers to the 'increase' or 'progeny' of livestock, specifically the offspring of a flock or herd. In its biblical usage, it denotes the young animals born to domesticated animals like sheep and cattle. This word appears exclusively in the context of God's covenantal blessings and curses in Deuteronomy, where it is listed alongside other agricultural and familial blessings such as grain, wine, oil, and children. For example, in Deuteronomy 7:13, God promises to bless 'the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground, your grain and your wine and your oil, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock,' using עַשְׁתְּרָה to specify the latter.
Biblical Usage
This word is used four times, all within the book of Deuteronomy (7:13, 28:4, 28:18, 28:51). It consistently appears in lists detailing material blessings for obedience or curses for disobedience to the Mosaic covenant. In Deuteronomy 28:4 and 28:18, it is paired with terms for agricultural produce and human offspring, highlighting it as a key component of prosperity in an agrarian society. The usage pattern underscores that fertility and multiplication of livestock were seen as direct indicators of divine favor or judgment within the covenant framework.
Etymology
The noun עַשְׁתְּרָה is likely derived from the root עָשַׁר (H6238), meaning 'to be rich' or 'to accumulate wealth.' This connection suggests that the 'increase' of flocks was intrinsically linked to economic prosperity and abundance in ancient Israel. Cognates in other Semitic languages also relate to concepts of fertility and multiplication, reinforcing its association with growth and blessing.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it embodies the tangible blessings of the covenant between God and Israel. In Deuteronomy, the promise or removal of עַשְׁתְּרָה serves as a concrete measure of faithfulness, illustrating that God's involvement extends into the economic and agricultural spheres of life. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches Bible reading by revealing how biblical prosperity was understood holistically—encompassing family, land, and livestock—as gifts from a providential God, rather than merely abstract spiritual concepts.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, livestock like sheep and cattle were primary indicators of wealth and social stability. The 'increase' of a flock was not only an economic asset but also a sign of divine favor, as deities were often petitioned for fertility in herds. This contrasts with modern, industrialized views of wealth, where livestock hold less central economic importance. The term reflects a pastoral-agrarian society where survival and prosperity depended directly on such blessings.
צֹאן (tsoʼn, H6629) — a general term for 'flock' or 'small cattle,' referring to the animals themselves, not specifically their offspring. פְּרִי (periy, H6529) — meaning 'fruit' or 'produce,' used more broadly for yield from plants, trees, or even the womb, whereas עַשְׁתְּרָה is specific to livestock increase. בָּקָר (bâqâr, H1241) — refers to 'cattle' or 'herd,' denoting the animals, not their progeny.
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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