אִמְרָה
Definition
The Hebrew noun אִמְרָה (ʼimrâh) primarily refers to a spoken utterance, often with a sense of authority or weight. It can denote a specific command or directive, as in Deuteronomy 33:9 where the Levites are said to have kept God's 'word' (ʼimrâh). More broadly, it describes the speech or promises of God, which are portrayed as pure, reliable, and powerful, such as in Psalm 12:6 where God's 'words' (ʼimrâh) are refined silver. In some poetic contexts, like Genesis 4:23, it simply means a spoken saying or declaration.
Biblical Usage
אִמְרָה is used 35 times, predominantly in poetic and wisdom literature (especially Psalms) and in Deuteronomy. It frequently describes the authoritative and trustworthy speech of God (e.g., Psalm 18:30; 2 Samuel 22:31). It appears in contexts emphasizing the reliability of divine promises (Psalm 105:19) and the purity of God's communication (Psalm 12:6). Its usage underscores the active, effective nature of God's spoken word.
Etymology
Derived from the root אמר (ʼmr), meaning 'to say' or 'to speak.' It is the feminine form of the noun אֵמֶר (ʼemer, H561), and both share the core meaning of 'utterance' or 'speech.' The feminine form אִמְרָה is the more common biblical variant, carrying the same fundamental sense of something spoken.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it highlights the nature of God's communication. It portrays God's word not as inert information but as an active, powerful, and utterly reliable force that accomplishes His purposes (Isaiah 55:11). Understanding אִמְרָה enriches the reading of passages about God's promises, laws, and creative speech, emphasizing their purity, trustworthiness, and effective power in the lives of believers.
In ancient Israelite culture, a spoken word, especially from a person of authority like a king, patriarch, or deity, was understood to carry inherent power and commitment. An אִמְרָה was not a casual remark but a weighty utterance that shaped reality, established covenants, or issued binding commands. This contrasts with a modern, sometimes more casual, view of 'speech.'
דָּבָר (dāḇār, H1697) — A broader term for 'word,' 'thing,' or 'matter,' often used for God's word but with a wider semantic range. אֵמֶר (ʼemer, H561) — The masculine form, essentially synonymous but less frequently used. תּוֹרָה (tôrâh, H8451) — Specifically 'instruction' or 'law,' a subset of God's authoritative words. מִצְוָה (miṣwâh, H4687) — 'Commandment,' a specific type of authoritative utterance.
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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