עָשׂוֹר
ten; by abbreviated form ten strings, and so a decachord
Definition
The Hebrew word עָשׂוֹר primarily means 'ten' or 'tenth', functioning as both a cardinal and ordinal number. It most frequently denotes the tenth day of a month, which is significant for several religious observances, such as the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:29, 23:27) and the start of the siege of Jerusalem (2 Kings 25:1). In a musical context, found in Psalms 33:2 and 144:9, it refers to a 'ten-stringed instrument' or 'decachord', an instrument of praise. The term can also simply indicate a group or period of ten, as seen in Genesis 24:55 where Rebekah's family asks for her to stay 'ten days'.
Biblical Usage
עָשׂוֹר is used 16 times in the Old Testament, predominantly in the Pentateuch (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers) for dating religious festivals. It specifies the tenth day for the selection of the Passover lamb (Exodus 12:3), the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) in Leviticus, and the Jubilee year's commencement (Leviticus 25:9). Its usage in the historical books (Joshua 4:19, 2 Kings 25:1) continues this calendrical function. The poetic usage for a musical instrument appears only in the Psalms.
Etymology
Derived from the masculine noun עֶשֶׂר (H6235), meaning 'ten'. עָשׂוֹר is the nominal form, often functioning as a substantive adjective ('a ten', 'a tenth'). It is related to the base of the decimal system in Hebrew, sharing a root with other numbers like עֲשָׂרָה (ten).
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it anchors the date of the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), the most solemn holy day in Israel's calendar, centered on repentance, purification, and atonement before God (Leviticus 16). Its use for a 'ten-stringed instrument' also connects the concept of completeness (ten) with musical worship and praise to God in the Psalms, suggesting a full or complete expression of homage.
In ancient Israelite culture, the tenth day of the month held specific ritual importance, marking key moments in the sacred calendar. The 'instrument of ten strings' reflects the musical culture of the time, though its exact design is unknown; it signifies an instrument capable of a rich, full range of sound used in temple and personal worship.
עֶשֶׂר (ʻeser, H6235) — the basic cardinal number 'ten'. עֲשָׂרָה (ʻăśārâ, H6235) — the feminine absolute form 'ten'. עֲשִׂירִי (ʻăśîyrîy, H6224) — the ordinal adjective 'tenth'.
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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