אַחַר
ʼachar · H310 · Hebrew · 720 occurrences
Meanings
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behind
A reference to the space behind a person or object
ExamplesGenesis 18:10 He said, “I will certainly return to you at this time next year; and behold, your wife Sarah will have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door, which was behind him.
Genesis 19:6 But Lot went out to them at the doorway, and shut the door behind him,
Genesis 19:17 When they had brought them outside, one said, “Escape for your life! Do not look behind you, and do not stay anywhere in the surrounding area; escape to the mountains, or you will be swept away.”
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behind, after, following
Literally: behind; hence: a state in which humans are committed to follow the leadership and example of other humans or deities
ExamplesDeuteronomy 7:4 “For they will turn your sons away from following Me, and they will serve other gods; then the anger of the LORD will be kindled against you and He will quickly destroy you.
Deuteronomy 12:30 be careful that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from your presence, and that you do not inquire about their gods, saying, ‘How do these nations serve their gods, that I also may do likewise?’
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after
Literally: behind (in rank); hence: state in which humans have a lesser status than other humans
ExamplesRuth 4:4 “So I thought that I would inform you, saying, ‘Buy it before those who are sitting here, and before the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, redeem it; but if not, tell me so that I may know; for there is no one except you to redeem it, and I am after you.’” And he said, “I will redeem it.”
2 Samuel 23:9 And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there to battle and the men of Israel had withdrawn.
2 Samuel 23:11 Now after him was Shammah the son of Agee, a Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered into an army where there was a plot of land full of lentils, and the people fled from the Philistines.
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back, butt
Literally: behind; hence: the side or part of something away from the spectator or from the direction in which it moves or faces
Examples2 Samuel 2:23 However, he refused to turn aside; so Abner struck him in the belly with the butt end of the spear, so that the spear came out at his back. And he fell there and died on the spot. And it happened that all who came thereafter to the place where Asahel had fallen and died, stood still.
1 Kings 10:19 There were six steps to the throne and a round top to the throne at its back, and armrests on each side of the seat, and two lions standing beside the armrests.
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after, since, as soon as
A referent point to the time following a certain event
ExamplesGenesis 5:4 Then the days of Adam after he fathered Seth were eight hundred years, and he fathered other sons and daughters.
Genesis 5:7 Then Seth lived 807 years after he fathered Enosh, and he fathered other sons and daughters.
Genesis 5:10 Then Enosh lived 815 years after he fathered Kenan, and he fathered other sons and daughters.
How it’s used In 5 roles
Every occurrence, grouped by the words it is grammatically related to.
the word studied the word it goes with
Whose, or of whatGenitive or possessive
4 occurrences in 4 groups
- חֲנִיתspear 1
- מֹשֶׁהMoses 1
- רָאָהto see 1
- וֹhim 1
What is done to itIt is the object
2 occurrences in 2 groups
- נָבַטto look 1
- רָאָהto see 1
What it is said to bePredicate
1 occurrences in 1 groups
- מוֹקֵשׁtrap 1
What is said to be itIt is the predicate
1 occurrences in 1 groups
- נָגַןto play 1
After prepositionsPrepositional phrases
8 occurrences in 3 groups
- אַחַרafter, behind 6
- מִןfrom 2
- בin/on/with 2
When two words share a role, as in “Paul and Barnabas said”, the verse appears under each, so a section’s counts can add up to more than the number of occurrences.
MACULA Greek Linguistic Datasets, available at https://github.com/Clear-Bible/macula-greek/, licensed CC BY 4.0; MACULA Hebrew Linguistic Datasets © 2022-2024 by Biblica, Inc., CC BY 4.0. Westminster Leningrad Codex (tanach.us). OpenScriptures Hebrew Bible morphology (hb.openscriptures.org), CC BY 4.0.
In the other Testament 3 words
- ὀπίσω opísō · G3694 · behind, in back of, after
- ὀπίσω (opísō, G3694) ὀπίσω renders אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) אַחַר in spatial-posterior and temporal-subsequent senses ('behind,' 'after,' 'backward'), sharing core directional semantics of posteriority across both spatial and temporal domains.
- ὄπισθεν ópisthen · G3693 · from behind, behind, the back of
- Greek ὄπισθεν specifically denotes spatial/temporal posteriority 'from behind/afterward' as a secure rearward aspect, while Hebrew אַחַר covers a broader semantic range including 'after,' 'behind,' 'follow,' and 'away from' with less emphasis on the secure-rearward nuance.
- ὕστερον hýsteron · G5305 · last, final, finally
- ὕστερον specifically denotes temporal sequence ('afterward', 'later') as a focused subset of אַחַר (ʼachar, H310)'s broader spatial-temporal semantic range ('after', 'behind', 'back from'), representing the Greek adverbial lexicalization of the 'subsequent in time' sense that אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) can express contextually.
Semantic domains 4 entries
- Spatial Referents003002005
- אַחַר marks a spatial position “behind” or “after” something, as Abram raising his eyes to look northward and southward, eastward and westward, after Lot had separated from him (Genesis 13:14).
- Faithful002001002008
- The word can describe following after someone loyally, as Caleb who “followed the LORD my God fully” (Joshua 14:8).
- Great002001002012
- In some uses the sense extends to a following of great intensity, as Caleb's report that he followed the LORD “fully,” an intensified sense of wholehearted after-following (Joshua 14:8).
- Circumstantial Referents003002002
- אַחַר most commonly marks a temporal sequence, “after” a stated event, as Seth's years counted after fathering Enosh (Genesis 5:7, drafted under this lexeme's own recurring use in the Genesis genealogies).
Word family 10 words
Words formed from the same root. They share a form, not always a meaning.
Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon H310. achar אַחַר properly substantive the hinder or following part (compare the plural)…
אַחַר properly substantive the hinder or following part (compare the plural)
1. adverb a. of place, behind, twice Gen 22:13 (many MSS. ᵑ6 ᵐ5 ⅏ Ol Ew read אֶחָד see Di) Psa 68:26.
b. of time, afterwards Gen 10:18; Gen 18:5; Gen 24:55; Gen 30:21; Jdg 19:5 +; וְאַחַר in laws of P, as Lev 14:8, Lev 14:19; Lev 15:28; Lev 22:7; Num 5:26 and elsewhere
2. preposition a. of place, behind, after Exo 3:1; Exo 11:5; 2Ki 11:6; Son 2:9; Isa 57:8: אַחַר הָלַח to go after, follow Gen 37:17; 2Ki 13:2; 2Ki 23:3; Isa 65:2; Eze 13:3; Job 31:7; אַחַר חָיָה 1Sa 12:14; מֵאַחַר from after 2Sa 7:8; Psa 78:71; Isa 59:13.
b. of time, after Gen 9:28; Lev 25:15 al; הַדְּבָרִים אַחַר הָאֵלֶּה after these things Gen 15:1; Gen 22:1; Gen 39:7; Gen 40:1; 1Ki 17:17; 1Ki 21:1; Ezr 7:1; Est 2:1; Est 3:1; כֵּן אַחַר Lev 14:36; Deu 21:13; 1Sa 10:5; זֶה אַחַר (late) 2Ch 32:9; followed by infinitive Num 6:19; Jer 40:1; 1Ch 2:24; Job 21:3; אַחַר עַד till after Neh 13:19.
c. Neh 5:15 strangely: Ew RV besides; but text probably corrupt, see Be Ry. 3
conjunction אֲשֶׁר אַחַר after that Eze 40:1; and without אשׁר Lev 14:43; Jer 41:16; Job 42:7. As preposition & conjunction the plural אַחֲרֵי is much more frequently, which in any case must be used before suffixes.
Plural only construct אַחֲרֵי with suffix אַחֲרֶיךָ אַחֲרַי,, etc.
1. substantive hinder part 2Sa 2:23 הַחֲנִית בְּאַחֲרֵי with the hinder end of the spear.
2. preposition a. of place, behind, after Gen 18:10 אַחֲרָיו וְהוּא and it behind him Deu 11:30; Jdg 5:14; 1Sa 14:13; 1Sa 21:10; Hos 5:8 אַחֲרֶיךָ Behind thee! (sc. Look or The foe is); with a verbas הִבִּיט to look Gen 19:17; 1Sa 24:9, ראֹשׁ הֵנִיעַ to shake the head 2Ki 19:21 ( = Isa 37:22), especially verbs expressing or implying motion, as בָּא to enter in (see Dr 2Sa 20:14) הִשְׁלִיח רָדַף, מָּנָה, מִלֵּא, הָלַח, הָיָה, דָּלַק, דָּבֵק, בִּעֵר, (see these words).
b. of time, after Gen 9:9 אַחֲרֵיכֶם זַרְעֲכֶם your seed after you; similarly Gen 17:7-10, Gen 17:19; Gen 35:12; Gen 48:4; Exo 28:43; Num 25:13 all P (also Deu 1:8; Deu 4:37; Deu 10:15; 1Sa 24:22; 2Sa 7:12 ||), & with בָּנָיו Gen 18:19 J ( + בֵּיתוֺ) Exo 29:29 P Lev 25:46 H Deu 4:40; Deu 12:25, Deu 12:28; Jer 32:18, Jer 32:39; 1Ch 28:8; Pro 20:7, דּוֺרוֺתֵינוּ Jos 22:27, בֵּיתוֺ Job 21:21; Exo 10:14; Jdg 10:3 etc.; with infinitive Gen 5:4 הוֺלִידֹוֺ אַחֲרֵי after his begetting Sheth, Gen 13:14; Gen 14:17; Gen 18:12; Gen 25:11 + often; אַחֲרֵיכֵֿן afterwards Gen 6:4 (אשׁר כן אחרי = afterwards, when, compare 2Ch 35:20) Gen 15:14; Gen 23:18; Gen 25:26; Gen 32:21; Gen 41:31; Gen 45:15 etc.; אחריכֿן ויהי as a formula of transition chiefly in 2Samuel (2Sa 2:1; 2Sa 8:1 || 2Sa 10:1 || 2Sa 13:1; 2Sa 21:18 ||) compare 1Sa 24:6; Jdg 16:4; 2Ki 6:24; 2Ch 20:1; 2Ch 24:4 ; in late Hebrew זֹאת אַחֲרֵי Job 42:16; Ezr 9:10; 2Ch 21:18 ( + כָּלֿ2Ch 35:20 (do.); compare Aramaic דְנָה אַחֲרֵי Dan 2:29, Dan 2:45, and דְּנָה בָּאתַר Dan 7:6-7,. — The local (metaphor) and temporal senses blend Psa 49:14 יִרְצוּ בְּפִיהֶם וְאַחֲרֵיהֶם & after them (i.e. following, imitating them) men applaud their speech, compare Job 21:33.
3. conjunction אֲשֶׁר אַחֲרֵי after that, with the finite verb Deu 24:4; Jos 7:8; Jos 9:16; Jos 23:1; Jos 24:20 +; without אשׁר Lev 25:48; 1Sa 5:9 . (The most common construction of אחרי is as a preposition with the infinitive construct) Jos 2:7 יָצְאוּ כַּאֲשֶׁר אַחֲרֵי must be an error, either for אשׁר אחרי or for כאשׁר alone (notice אחריהם twice in the same verse); 2Sa 24:10 read סָפַר אַחֲרֵי see Dr.
4 with other prepositions: —
a. מֵאַחֲרֵי57, 1Ch 17:7 מִןאַֿחֲרֵי (|| 2Sa 7:8 מֵאַחַר); (α) from behind Gen 19:26; 2Sa 2:23; from after i.e. from following after, usually with שׁוּב or סוּר 1Sa 24:2; 2Sa 2:22, 2Sa 2:26, 2Sa 2:30; 2Sa 11:15; Jos 22:16, Jos 22:18, Jos 22:23, Jos 22:29; 1Sa 15:11 +; with other verbs of motion, as עָלָה 1Sa 14:46; 2Sa 20:2, נַעֲלָה 2Sa 2:27, לָקַח Amo 7:15; 1Ch 17:7, זָנָה Hos 1:2; pregnantly Isa 30:21 thy ears shall hear a word מֵאַחֲרֶיךָ coming from behind thee, Jer 9:21 (that is נָפַל, see va) 1Sa 13:7 ᵐ5L We Dr מֵאַחֲרָיו חָֽרְדוּ (β) denoting position (מן = off, on the side of; see מן behind Exo 14:19 (twice in verse); Jos 8:2, Jos 8:4, Jos 8:14; 1Ki 10:19; Neh 4:7 (לְ מֵאַחֲרֵי) 2Ch 13:13 b, (γ) of time (rare) Deu 29:21; Ecc 10:14; כֵן מֵאַחֲרֵי 2Sa 3:28; 2Sa 15:1; 2Ch 32:23.
b. אֶלאַֿחֲרֵי 2Sa 5:23; 2Ki 9:18 אֶלאַֿחֲרַי סֹב 2Ki 9:19; Zec 6:6.
c. עַלאַֿחֲרֵי Eze 41:15 beside, at the back of.
אַחֲרַי adjective Pro 28:23 (si vera lectio)
אַחֲרַי אָדָם a man that turneth backwards (compare Jer 7:24) so JosKi De Olp. 429 (doubtfully) Now Sta§ 301 b: according to Ew§ 220 a Hi an abnormal adverb = afterwards, LagPr conjectures בְּאָרְחוֺ compare ᵐ5 ὁδούς.
(ו)ייחר Kt 2Sa 20:5 (Qr וַיּ֫וֺחֶר) see אחר above and Drsm.
יחשׂ (√ of following; meaning unknown; derivatives common in Late Hebrew and Aramaic)
Brown, Driver and Briggs, A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament (1906), public domain
Topical studies with this word 4 entries
Meanings adapted from the UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament, © United Bible Societies, CC BY-SA 4.0 and the UBS Dictionary of Biblical Hebrew (from the Semantic Dictionary of Biblical Hebrew), © United Bible Societies, CC BY-SA 4.0; MACULA Greek Linguistic Datasets, available at https://github.com/Clear-Bible/macula-greek/, licensed CC BY 4.0; MACULA Hebrew Linguistic Datasets © 2022-2024 by Biblica, Inc., CC BY 4.0. Westminster Leningrad Codex (tanach.us). OpenScriptures Hebrew Bible morphology (hb.openscriptures.org), CC BY 4.0.
Sources
eRhema lexical overview, based on the UBS Dictionary of Biblical Hebrew and the UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament (© United Bible Societies, CC BY-SA 4.0) and Macula Hebrew and Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0); released under CC BY-SA 4.0
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