Word Study for H6064 (עָנַשׁ)

ʻânash /aw-nash'/ Ask about this word

Roota primitive root · properly, to urge

Meaningby implication, to inflict apenalty, specifically, to fine

KJV usageamerce, condemn, punish

Idioms & phrasesidiom surely.

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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word ʻânash, represented by H6064, defines the act of inflicting a penalty, specifically to fine or punish. Its base definition is to urge, but by implication it means to amerce, condemn, or punish. It appears 9 times across 8 unique verses, primarily establishing consequences for wrongdoing.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical law, H6064 is used to specify penalties. When men strive and hurt a pregnant woman H2030, the offender "shall be surely punished" with a fine determined by her husband H1167 and the judges H6414 Exodus 21:22. Similarly, a man who brings an evil H7451 name H8034 upon a virgin H1330 of Israel H3478 is to be amerced in silver H3701 Deuteronomy 22:19. The term also applies to national penalties, as when the king H4428 of Egypt H4714 "condemned the land" H776 in silver and gold H2091 2 Chronicles 36:3. In the prophets, the term is used to condemn injustice, such as drinking "the wine of the condemned" obtained through unjust fines Amos 2:8.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide context for the act of punishment:

H6612 pᵉthîy (simple): This describes the person who, lacking foresight, passes on and is punished (Proverbs 22:3, Proverbs 27:12). The punishment of a scorner H3887 is meant to make the simple wise Proverbs 21:11.
H6414 pâlîyl (judge): This refers to the magistrate who determines the appropriate penalty in a legal dispute Exodus 21:22.
H3701 keçeph (silver): This is a common form of the fine imposed as punishment, or amercement (Deuteronomy 22:19, 2 Chronicles 36:3).
H6662 tsaddîyq (just): This identifies the person whom it is "not good H2896" to punish Proverbs 17:26, highlighting the theme of righteous judgment.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H6064 centers on justice and consequence.

Legal and Financial Restitution: The word is foundational to legal rulings requiring a penalty. In the case of harming a pregnant woman, the fine is paid to her husband Exodus 21:22. For slandering a virgin of Israel H3478, the fine is given to her father H1 Deuteronomy 22:19, establishing a principle of restitution for the wronged party.
Consequence of Foolishness: In Proverbs, being punished is the natural outcome of foolishness. The prudent H6175 man foresees evil H7451, but the simple H6612 "pass on, and are punished" (Proverbs 22:3, Proverbs 27:12). Punishment can serve as a lesson to make the simple wise H2449 Proverbs 21:11.
Standard for Justice: The concept of ʻânash also defines what is unjust. It is explicitly "not good" to punish the just H6662 Proverbs 17:26. The prophet Amos condemns those who exploit others through unjust penalties, highlighting the corruption of justice Amos 2:8.

Summary

In summary, H6064 is a term that encompasses the infliction of a penalty, from a specific monetary fine in legal cases to a general consequence for foolish behavior. It underscores the biblical value of lawful order, where wrongdoing has defined consequences. By showing both the proper application of penalties and condemning their misuse, ʻânash reinforces the principles of justice, restitution, and wisdom.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb and a noun across 9 occurrences, inflected in 8 grammatical forms.

Qal Infinitive Construct 2×
Niphal Consecutive Perfect 3rd Plural common gender 1×
Niphal Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
Niphal Perfect 3rd Plural common gender 1×
Plural Masculine Absolute 1×
Qal Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
Qal Consecutive Perfect 3rd Plural common gender 1×
Qal Infinitive Absolute 1×

Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
common gender: Either gender — the form does not distinguish.
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect: Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Perfect: A completed act whose results continue.
Infinitive: The verb as a noun — "to do".
Qal: The simple, basic stem — plain action in the active voice.
Niphal: Simple passive or reflexive of the Qal.
Consecutive Imperfect: Imperfect with vav — carries narrative forward ("and he…").
Consecutive Perfect: Perfect with vav — continues a sequence into the future.
Absolute: The independent form of a noun (not bound to another).
Construct: Bound to a following noun — "the X of…".

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 8 verses across 5 books. Most frequent in Proverbs (4 verses).

Exodus

Deuteronomy

2 Chronicles

Proverbs

Amos

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