עֲשִׂירִי
tenth; by abbreviation, tenth month or (feminine) part
Definition
The Hebrew word עֲשִׂירִי (ʻăsîyrîy) is an ordinal number meaning 'tenth.' It most commonly functions as an adjective to describe the tenth item in a sequence, such as the tenth day (Genesis 8:5) or the tenth month (Genesis 8:5). In cultic and legal contexts, it specifically denotes a 'tenth part' or tithe, a portion set apart for sacred use, as seen in regulations for grain offerings (Leviticus 5:11) and the tithing of livestock (Leviticus 27:32). When used substantively, it can refer to the tenth day of a month or, by abbreviation, to the tenth month (Tevet) in the Hebrew calendar.
Biblical Usage
This word appears 26 times, primarily in the Pentateuch (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers). Its usage is concentrated in two main contexts: narrative sequences (e.g., the tenth month in the flood narrative, Genesis 8:5) and detailed ritual or legal prescriptions. In the latter, it is a key term in laws concerning offerings, tithes, and measurements, such as the tenth of an ephah of flour for a sin offering (Leviticus 5:11, Numbers 5:15) or the specifications for daily offerings (Numbers 28:5). It consistently denotes precise, divinely ordained proportions within Israel's worship system.
Etymology
Derived from the masculine noun עֶשֶׂר (ʻeser, H6235), meaning 'ten.' The ordinal form עֲשִׂירִי is created by adding the suffix -ִי (-iy), a standard pattern for forming ordinal numbers in Hebrew (e.g., רִאשׁוֹן, 'first'). Its meaning is directly tied to its root, denoting position or fraction in relation to the base number ten.
Semantic Range
As the term for 'tenth' and 'tithe,' this word is theologically significant for understanding the biblical principle of giving the first and best to God. It anchors the concept of the tithe—a sacred portion representing God's ownership and provision (Leviticus 27:30-32). This practice of dedicating the tenth was integral to Israel's worship, supporting the priesthood and the communal religious system. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of both legal texts and prophetic calls to faithfulness (e.g., Malachi 3:8-10), highlighting stewardship as an act of worship and covenant responsibility.
In ancient Israelite culture, a 'tenth' was a standard, recognizable proportion for sacred contributions. The tenth month (Tevet) falls in the winter (December/January) and is referenced in narratives like the flood (Genesis 8:5). The precise measurement of a 'tenth part' of an ephah (Exodus 16:36, Leviticus 5:11) was a specific dry volume used in daily life and ritual, underscoring the integration of faith with everyday economics and agriculture. The tithe was not merely a tax but a tangible acknowledgment of divine provision.
מַעֲשֵׂר (maʻăśēr, H4643) — a noun specifically meaning 'tithe' or 'tenth part,' often used interchangeably for the offering itself. עֶשֶׂר (ʻeser, H6235) — the cardinal number 'ten,' the root from which 'tenth' is derived.
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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