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Word

אָמַר

ʼâmar · H559 · Hebrew · 5,309 occurrences

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Meanings

  1. to say, to speak, to tell, to command, to think, to call

    Action by which humans and deities utter words; this can happen within their minds and be inaudible to others, but in most cases the words are spoken out loud in order to communicate something to others; usually directly followed by the actual words that are spoken

    Examples

    Genesis 1:3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.

    Genesis 1:6 Then God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.”

    Genesis 1:9 Then God said, “Let the waters below the heavens be gathered into one place, and let the dry land appear”; and it was so.

  2. to mention

    Action by which humans refer to a particular object when speaking

    Examples

    Genesis 22:2 Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.”

    Genesis 43:27 Then he asked them about their welfare, and said, “Is your old father well, of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?”

    Genesis 43:29 And as he raised his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, he said, “Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me?” Then he said, “May God be gracious to you, my son.”

  3. to assign

    Action by which humans give verbal instructions regarding something

    Examples

    1 Kings 11:18 They set out from Midian and came to Paran; and they took men with them from Paran and came to Egypt, to Pharaoh king of Egypt, who gave him a house and assigned him food and gave him land.

    2 Chronicles 29:24 The priests slaughtered them and purified the altar with their blood to atone for all Israel, because the king ordered the burnt offering and the sin offering for all Israel.

  4. to declare, to affirm

    Action by which humans and deities make a very solemn statement concerning something

    Examples

    Deuteronomy 26:17 “Today you have declared the LORD to be your God, and that you will walk in His ways and keep His statutes, His commandments, and His ordinances, and listen to His voice.

    Deuteronomy 26:18 “And the LORD has today declared you to be His people, His personal possession, just as He promised you, and that you are to keep all His commandments;

  5. to boast

    Action by which humans utter words about themselves, usually with the purpose of drawing all attention to themselves

    Examples

    Psalm 94:4 They pour out words, they speak arrogantly; All who do injustice boast.

    Isaiah 61:6 But you will be called the priests of the LORD; You will be spoken of as ministers of our God. You will eat the wealth of nations, And you will boast in their riches.

How it’s used In 13 roles

Every occurrence, grouped by the words it is grammatically related to.

the word studied the word it goes with

Who or what does itSubject

5,303 occurrences in 277 groups

What it acts on, or what is saidObject

444 occurrences in 243 groups

Second objectAs in “call him Lord”

1 occurrences in 1 groups

With prepositionsPrepositional phrases

2,048 occurrences in 443 groups

With adverbsAdverbs

584 occurrences in 16 groups

Named alongside itApposition

11 occurrences in 10 groups

What it doesIt is the subject

3 occurrences in 3 groups

What is done to itIt is the object

19 occurrences in 9 groups

Second object ofSecond object

1 occurrences in 1 groups

What it is said to bePredicate

6 occurrences in 4 groups

What is said to be itIt is the predicate

3 occurrences in 3 groups

After prepositionsPrepositional phrases

931 occurrences in 4 groups

In phrases “… of it”It is the genitive

1 occurrences in 1 groups

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 4 words
ἔπω épō · G2036 · to say, to talk, to tell
Greek ἔπω is the standard rendering of Hebrew אָמַר (‘to speak, say’) across narrative, prophetic, and legal contexts, reflecting genuine translation equivalence as the default choice for this fundamental verb of speech.
λέγω légō · G3004 · to say, to talk, to tell
Greek λέγω is the standard translation equivalent for Hebrew אָמַר in narrative and discourse contexts, both denoting the core act of verbal communication ('to say, speak, tell') with λέγω's emphasis on systematic discourse aligning well with אָמַר's broad range across commanding, declaring, and narrating speech acts.
ἐπιτάσσω epitássō · G2004 · to order, to instruct, to tell
ἐπιτάσσω emphasizes the authoritative directive aspect of אָמַר, specifically when speech functions as a command or order rather than general declaration or communication.
ἐρέω eréō · G2046 · to say, to speak
Greek ἐρέω serves as a direct translation equivalent for Hebrew אָמַר in its core speech-act sense (‘to say, speak, utter’), functioning as one of the primary Greek verbs used to render אָמַר’s declarative and communicative function.
Semantic domains 2 entries
Speak002004001009008
אָמַר is the ordinary Hebrew verb for saying or speaking, introducing direct speech throughout the narrative, as "God said, 'Let there be light'" (Genesis 1:3).
Great002001002012
This lexeme's own occurrences attest this intensified, declarative force: “Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19), where the verb carries the force of a solemn, certain pronouncement rather than ordinary speech.
Word family 7 words

Words formed from the same root. They share a form, not always a meaning.

אָמַרʼâmar · H559אֲמַר ʼămar · H560 · to say, to speak, to tell · 71×אֵמֶר ʼêmer · H561 · word, saying, decree · 49×אִמְרָה ʼimrâh · H565 · words, discourse, command · 37×אֹמֶר ʼômer · H562 · word, command, speech · 6×מַאֲמַר maʼămar · H3982 · command, order · 3×מֵאמַר mêʼmar · H3983 · appointment, word · 2×
Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon H559. amar אָמַר5287 verb utter, say (MI, Phoenician אמר, Aramaic אֲמַר, Ethiopic I. 2…
H559. amar
אָמַר5287 verb utter, say (MI, Phoenician אמר, Aramaic אֲמַר, Ethiopic I. 2 shew, declare, Arabic command; perhaps √ אמר originally = be or make prominent, hence Hithpa`el below, אָמִיר; Sabean אמר lofty, epithet of king JHMordtmZMG 1876, 37; compare DlPr 28 who thinks original meaning hell, sichtbar sein, whence Assyrian amâru, see, & shew, declare, say) — Qal Perfect ׳א Gen 3:1 +, etc.; Imperfect יאֹמַר Gen 31:8 +; וַיּאֹ֫מֶר Gen 1:3 +; וַיּאֹמַ֑ר Gen 14:19 +; in Job always וַיּאֹ֑מַר Job 3:2 +; 3 feminine singular תּאֹמַר Gen 21:12 +; תּאֹמֵר֑ Pro 1:21; Pro 1:1singular אֹמַר Gen 22:2 +; אוֺמְרָה Psa 42:10; וָאֹמַר Gen 20:13 +; וָאוֺמַר Neh 2:7, Neh 2:17, Neh 2:20; Neh 2:3masculine plural יאֹמְדוּ Exo 4:1 + etc.; suffix יֹמְרוּךָ Psa 139:20; Psa 139:2masculine plural תֹּמְדוּ 2Sa 19:14 ( compare Köi. p. 385); Imperative אֱמֹר (אֱמָרֿ) Gen 45:17 +, etc.; Infinitive absolute אָמוֺר Exo 21:5 +; construct אֱמֹר Eze 25:8 +; (הַ)אֲמֹר Job 34:18 but read ᵑ9 ᵐ5 הָאֹמֵר Di, or better הֶאָמֹר Infinitive absolute with ה interrogative compare Ew :§ 328 d; suffix אָמְרִי Jos 6:10 +; אֲמָרְכֶם Jer 23:38; אֱמָרְכֶם Mal 1:7 +; לֵאמֹר Gen 1:22 +, etc.; Participle active אֹמֵר Gen 32:10 +, etc.; passive הֶאָמוּר Mic 2:7, but this grammatically indefensible, read הֶאָמוֺר, Infinitive absolute with ה interrogative, see DrExpositor, April, 1887, 263.1Say (subject God Gen 3:1 +? Gen 32:5, serpent Gen 3:1, ass Num 22:28, horse הֶאָח יאֹמַר Job 39:25 etc.; inanimate things, personified Job 28:14 compare Job 28:22 etc.; so in allegory or fable Jdg 9:8; 2Ki 14:9 etc.; especially in narration, וַיּאֹמֶר etc., Gen 4:6 + very often): mostly followed by thing said, either substantive Jer 14:17 (c. clause app.) Deu 27:16f.; Jdg 12:6; pronoun Gen 44:16; 2Ki 20:14 +; or (usually) clause Gen 1:3; Gen 3:1; Gen 37:20 + often (oratio recta [direct speech]); with adverb thus, so Gen 32:5; Num 20:14; 1Ki 20:3, 1Ki 20:5 + often; especially י אָמַר ׳כֹּה Exo 5:1; Exo 7:17; Exo 8:1; Exo 8:20; 1Ch 17:4 + often; the person addressed usually introduced by אֶל Gen 3:1; Gen 15:7; Gen 22:7; Lev 21:1; 2Sa 3:7; 1Ki 12:5, 1Ki 12:23, or לְ Gen 3:13; Gen 4:15; 1Sa 20:2; 2Sa 2:21; 1Ki 14:2 + often; rarer combinations are, ׳א בְּאָזְנֵי Isa 49:20 (compare Isa 5:9 & see דבר); ׳א לִפְנֵי Eze 28:9; ׳א לְעֵינֵי Deu 31:7; Jos 10:12; Jer 28:11; ׳א בְּ Joe 2:17; Psa 126:2, where בְּ local; in all cases usually followed by direct object of words said, Exo 19:25 being very singular; Gen 4:8 the object-clause has probably fallen out, compare Vrss Di; = mention, name, designate Gen 22:2-3, Gen 43:27, Gen 43:29; Exo 32:13; Num 14:40; 1Sa 10:16; 1Sa 16:3; 2Sa 6:22; Neh 6:19; compare Psa 139:20 לִמְזִמָּה יֹמְרוּךָ speak of thee for falsehood (but many, as Hup Pe Dy Che, read יַמְרוּךָ); = tell, declare, proclaim, (followed by direct object only) Psa 40:11; Eze 13:7; in reply to question = answer Exo 12:27; Jos 4:7; 1Ki 9:9; Jer 5:19; Jer 22:9. The object spoken of may be referred to by אֶל 2Ki 19:32; Jer 22:18; Jer 27:19, or לְ Gen 20:13 לִֹי אִמְרִי say of me, etc. Deu 33:9; Jdg 9:54; Isa 5:20; Psa 3:3; Psa 71:10, very rarely by a simple accusative Isa 3:10 (where read probably for אַשְׁרֵי אִמְרוּ,), except after אֲשֶׁר where the words used follow (compare אֲשֶׁר
4d) Gen 3:17; Num 10:29; Num 14:31; Deu 28:68; Jdg 7:4; 1Sa 9:17, 1Sa 9:23b 1Ki 8:29; Lam 4:20; compare Num 21:16; 2Ki 17:12; 2Ki 21:4, & (two extreme cases) Isa 8:12; Lam 2:15 (see DrSm i. 24, 5); ֶהאָמוּר Mic 2:7 read infinitive absolute with ה interrogative הֶאָמוֺר (see above) shall one say ? shall it be said ? After another verb of saying, introducing thing said: Deu 21:7; Deu 25:9; Deu 27:15; Son 2:10 +, even after אמר Gen 22:7; Lev 21:1; Jer 34:2; Est 7:5 +; especially infinitive לֵאמֹר, after דבר Gen 8:15, צוה Gen 2:16, ענה Gen 44:16, ברך Gen 1:22, נשׁבע Gen 24:7, נדר Gen 28:20, etc.; after אמר 2Sa 3:18; 1Ki 12:23; Rth 4:4; 1Ch 21:18 +; after שׁלח2Ch 35:21, שׁוּב Gen 32:7; compare also Gen 28:6; Exo 5:13; Exo 9:5; Exo 13:8; Exo 17:4; Num 11:20; Deu 1:28; Deu 13:7; Jdg 8:15; 1Sa 23:2; 1Ki 13:3; Jer 32:3; Jer 37:9 +; also when subject of לֵאמֹר differs from that of pre-ceding clause Gen 31:1; Gen 38:13, Gen 38:24 etc.; after שׁמע Isa 37:9 = 2Ki 19:9.
2 Say in the heart (= think) ׳א בלבב Deu 8:17 compare 1Ki 12:26; Psa 10:6; Psa 10:11; Psa 10:13; Psa 14:1; Psa 35:25; Isa 14:13; Isa 47:8, Isa 47:10; Isa 49:21; Ecc 2:1, Ecc 2:15; Ecc 3:17-18, ׳א לִלְבָבָם Hos 7:2; ׳א אֶללִֿבּוֺ Gen 8:21 said unto his heart (to himself), subject ׳י, compare 1Sa 27:1; נַפֲשִׁי אָֽמְרָה Lam 3:24; thence ׳א alone Gen 20:11; Gen 26:9; Num 24:11; Rth 4:4; 1Sa 20:26; 2Sa 5:6; 2Sa 12:22; 2Ki 5:11; followed by clause with כִּי Jdg 15:2; in particular = desire נַפְשְׁךָ מַהתּֿאֹמַר 1Sa 20:4 compare Est 2:13; followed by infinitive = purpose, Exo 2:14 thinkest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian ? Jos 22:33; 1Sa 30:6; 1 Kings 5:19; 2Ch 28:10, 2Ch 28:13; expect 2Sa 21:16 he expected to slay David2Ch 13:8; 2Ch 32:1.
3 Promise (followed by infinitive) 1Ch 27:23; 2Ch 21:7; Est 4:7; (id. + ל of person) 2Ki 8:19; Neh 9:15; (followed by accusative of direct object + ל of person + infinitive of purpose) Neh 9:23.
4 Command (especially late) followed by אֶלֿ of per-son addressed, Num 15:38; 1Ch 21:18; followed by ל Jos 11:9; 2Sa 16:11; 2Ki 4:24; Job 9:7; Psa 106:34 (see below אֲשֶׁר 8e); followed by infinitive 1Sa 24:11; 1Ch 21:17; 2Chron 1:18; 2Ch 29:27, 2Ch 29:30; 2Ch 31:11; 2Ch 35:21; Est 1:17; Est 4:13, Est 4:15; Est 6:1; Est 9:14; followed by infinitive + ל of pers, 2Ch 14:3; 2Ch 29:21; 2Ch 31:4; Est 1:10; followed by accusative direct object 2Ch 29:24 the king commanded the burnt-offering and the sin-offering, compare 1 Kings 5:20; Est 2:15; followed by clause with אשׁר = that Neh 13:19; id. + ל of person Neh 13:22; followed by clause with כִּי Job 36:10; absolute 1Sa 16:16 (read however probably יאמרו for יאמר, compare Dr); also Psa 105:31; Psa 105:34; Psa 107:25; 1Ch 14:12; 2Ch 24:8; Neh 13:9, Neh 13:19 (all followed by verb consecutive); command by letter ׳א עִםהַֿסֵּפֶר Est 9:25 (followed by imperfect); appoint, assign א ׳לֶחֶם לוֺ 1Ki 11:18 = threaten followed by infinitive Deu 9:25; Psa 106:23.
Niph`al Perfect נֶאֱמַר Dan 8:26; Imperfect יֵאָמֵר Gen 22:14 +; לוֺ יֵאָ֫מֶר Isa 4:3; יֵאָמַ֑ר Gen 10:9 +; וַיֵּאָמַ֑ר Jos 2:2; be said, told Gen 10:9; Gen 22:14; Psa 87:5; Jer 4:11; Jer 16:14 (all absolute, indefinite subject, of current saying); so said in a book Num 21:14; be related, told, of vision Dan 8:26; said, told to (followed by ל indirect object) Jos 2:2; Hos 2:1 (twice in verse); Zep 3:16; either so, or told concerning Num 23:23; Eze 13:12 (אֶלֿ); לָכֶם יֵאָמֵר = ye shall be called (it shall be said to you) Isa 61:6 (|| תִּקָּרְאוּ), compare Isa 4:3; Isa 19:18; Isa 32:5 (|| ל יִקָּרֵא) Isa 62:4 (twice in verse); hence be called, of Tophet הַתֹּפֶת עוֺד לֹאיֵֿאָמֵר Jer 7:32; subject שֵׁם Gen 32:29; Job 34:31 הֶאָמַר אֶלאֵֿל כִּי, Rabb (compare AV) treat הֵאָמַר as Niph`al Infinitive for לְהֵאָמֵר, but against grammar; the form as it stands is Qal Perfect, אֶלאֵֿל being prefixed to the interrogative for emphasis (compare Jer 22:15; Jer 23:26; Neh 13:27), see Dr§ 9 Di and others; Hoffm., however, reads הֵאָמֵר infinitive absolute = imperative 'so must one speak (it be spoken) to God.'
Hiph`il Perfect avow, avouch Deu 26:17 ׳אֶתיֿ לֵאלֹהִים לְךָ לִהְיוֺת הַיּוֺם הֶאֱמַרְתָּ; Deu 26:18 לְעַם לוֺ להיות היום הֶאֱמִירְךָ ׳וי (literally cause to declare, i.e. through agency of Moses; on this & other interpretations see Di).
Hithpa`el Imperfect יִתְאַמְּרוּ Psa 94:4 subject אָ֑וֶן כָּלמֹּֿעֲלֵי act proudly, boast (|| עָתָק יְדַבְּרוּ יַבִּיעוּ probably also 2 masculine plural תִּתְיַמָּ֑רוּ Isa 61:6 (in good sense, followed by בְּ of thing gloried in) ᵑ7 ᵑ9 ᵑ6 & compare ᵐ5; GesComm. so De Che Köi. 457 f. (from [ימר] exchange Thes Hi Kn Ew Di; but see מור ימר,).

Brown, Driver and Briggs, A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament (1906), public domain

Topical studies with this word 2 entries
Great2 occurrencesSpeak5,226 occurrences

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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