עָתַר
to be (causatively, make) abundant
Definition
The Hebrew verb עָתַר (ʻâthar) primarily means 'to be abundant' or 'to make abundant,' conveying the idea of increase or multiplication. In its causative form, it can mean 'to make plentiful' or 'to heap up.' Its two biblical occurrences show distinct nuances: in Proverbs 27:6, it describes the 'abundance' or 'profuseness' of a friend's wounds, which are faithful, contrasting with the deceitful kisses of an enemy. In Ezekiel 35:13, it is used in the context of Israel's enemies magnifying themselves or speaking arrogantly against God, implying a self-aggrandizing multiplication of words.
Biblical Usage
This verb appears only twice in the Old Testament, in two different contexts. In Proverbs 27:6, it is used positively in a wisdom saying about honest, if painful, friendship ('Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful'), where the wounds are described as 'abundant' or 'profuse' in their faithfulness. In Ezekiel 35:13, the prophet condemns Edom, stating, '...you have multiplied your words against me,' where the sense is of arrogant, boastful speech that piles up against God. The usage thus spans from a concrete description of abundance to a metaphorical piling up of hostile speech.
Etymology
As a primitive root, עָתַר (ʻâthar) is the base for related words. It is cognate with the noun עָתָר (ʻâthâr, H6281), meaning 'supplication' or 'prayer,' which suggests an original concept of 'piling up' or 'heaping up' petitions before God. This etymological connection highlights a development from a physical sense of abundance to a spiritual act of earnest, repeated prayer.
Semantic Range
This word connects the concept of physical or verbal abundance with spiritual posture. Its link to the noun for 'prayer' (עָתָר) implies that fervent prayer involves a 'heaping up' of requests before God, as seen in the earnest prayers of the patriarchs. In Ezekiel 35:13, it warns against the sin of multiplying arrogant words against the Lord, contrasting human pride with humble, abundant supplication. Understanding this root enriches reading by showing how abundance—whether of wounds, words, or prayers—carries moral and relational weight before God.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, abundance was a direct sign of divine blessing, while arrogant speech, especially against a deity, was a grave offense. The use in Proverbs reflects the high cultural value placed on candid, even harsh, honesty from a true friend over flattery. The connection to prayer as 'heaping up' petitions aligns with persistent, urgent intercessory practices, as exemplified by figures like Abraham interceding for Sodom (Genesis 18:22-33).
רָבָה (râbâh, H7235) — a more common verb for 'to be many/multiply,' often used for population growth or increase in general. פָּרָה (pârâh, H6509) — means 'to be fruitful,' specifically in the sense of bearing fruit or multiplying, as in the creation mandate. עָשַׁר (ʻâshar, H6238) — means 'to be rich' or 'to accumulate wealth,' focusing on material abundance and prosperity.
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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