Category: Biblical Hebrew
Misparim Mesaprim
Numbers Tell their Stories, Part 2
In the previous part of this two-part series we investigated the meaning of the numbers one to five, and the stories which they tell. We conclude this series with numbers six to ten. Numbers in Hebrew have both masculine and feminine genders. In the context of this article we will pause again to look only at the masculine form of the numbers.
Six - Shisha
Shisha (׊×׊×) is number six. According to the New B.D.B. Hebrew and English Lexicon1, its three-letter root, in other Semitic languages, is shinâdaletâshin (׊â×â׊) which is rather obscure. According to Strongâs Concordance (#8337) the word points to the simple fact that it is âbeyond five.â The same source also connects it to the word sis (׊×׊) (#7797). In Hebrew the sound âsâ and âshâ can both be signified by the letter shin. The word sis means gladness, joy, cheerfulness etc. âI will rejoice greatly in the Lord,â (Isaiah 61:10) is one of many examples of its usage. This progression, âmoving beyondâ and âjoyful emotion,â seems to indicate that every addition speaks of a movement from one âstate of beingâ to another. With this in mind, was it the exceeding joy of the giant Arba (four) upon the increase of his family that caused him to name his firstborn son Sheshai? (See Joshua 15:14)
Seven - Shiv'ah
We will not pause to examine the great significance attached to this number shivâah (׊×ע×)âseven. The etymology of the word will in itself be revealing. The root of shivâah is shinâvetâayin (׊â×âע). It is also the root of the words: adjure, charge, oathâshâvuah (׊××ע×) and satisfaction, to have had enough (especially food) to fill one upâsovâah (׊××ע).
The number seven is so indicative of fullness and completeness, that a solemn promise such as an oath could be guaranteed simply by repeating it seven times (or by using a multiplication of seven). The connection between the two words âsevenâ and âoathâ i...
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Adapted from
Bikurei Tziyon #63
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