תֵּשַׁע

nine or (ordinal) ninth

Definition

The Hebrew word תֵּשַׁע (têshaʻ) is a cardinal number meaning 'nine' and can also function as an ordinal number meaning 'ninth'. It is used to denote quantity, such as the nine generations from Adam to Lamech (Genesis 5), or sequence, as in the ninth hour of prayer (Daniel 9:21). In some contexts, it appears in compound forms like 'nineteen' (e.g., Genesis 11:25) or 'ninety' (e.g., Genesis 5:9). The word consistently functions as a numeral without additional metaphorical meanings.

Biblical Usage

תֵּשַׁע appears 57 times across the Old Testament, primarily in narrative and legal texts. It is frequently used in genealogies (Genesis 5, 11) to list ages and generations, in historical accounts for counting years (2 Kings 25:1), and in priestly instructions for ritual quantities, such as the nine lambs offered on the seventh day of Passover (Numbers 29:26). Its usage is straightforward and mathematical, with no significant variation in meaning across books.

Etymology

The word likely derives from the root שָׁעָה (shâʻâh, H8159), meaning 'to look, regard', through the concept of a 'turn'—implying a turn to the next or full number ten. This connection suggests an ancient counting system based on observation or cycles. The masculine form תִּשְׁעָה (tishʻâh) is also attested, showing grammatical flexibility for gender agreement.

Semantic Range

In ancient Israelite culture, numbers often carried symbolic weight, though 'nine' itself lacks the pervasive symbolic significance of numbers like seven or twelve. It was primarily practical, used in age records, festival counts, and historical dating. The ordinal 'ninth' could mark specific days or positions, but no unique cultural rituals are exclusively tied to it in the biblical text.

עֶשֶׂר (ʻeser, H6235) — 'ten', the next whole number in sequence. שְׁמֹנֶה (shᵉmōneh, H8083) — 'eight', the preceding whole number.

Word Details

Scripture References