English · KJV
H6066

עֹנֶשׁ

ʻônesh /o'-nesh/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom עָנַשׁ
Meaninga fine
KJV usagepunishment, tribute.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of ʻônesh — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word ʻônesh, represented by H6066, carries the meaning of a fine, punishment, or tribute. Based on the root word ʻânash, this term appears only 2 times in 2 unique verses. Though rare, its usage highlights specific forms of penalty, encompassing both imposed financial burdens and the direct consequences of personal behavior.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The two appearances of H6066 illustrate its dual meaning. In 2 Kings 23:33, it is used as tribute, where Pharaohnechoh imposes a financial penalty on the land of a hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold. This context shows a consequence enacted by an external authority. Conversely, in Proverbs 19:19, the word is translated as punishment, stating that a man of great wrath shall suffer this consequence, implying a penalty that is a natural result of one's own character and actions.

Related Words & Concepts

Several words are used in direct connection with the application of H6066, providing a broader context for its meaning:

  • H5375 nâsâʼ (to lift, bear, forgive): This verb describes how one shall "suffer" or bear punishment Proverbs 19:19. The same word is used to describe God who "pardoneth" or lifts away iniquity Micah 7:18, and whose throne is "lifted up" Isaiah 6:1.
  • H5414 nâthan (to give, put, make): In 2 Kings 23:33, this word is used to "put" the land to a tribute. This action of imposing a penalty contrasts with its use elsewhere, such as when God promises to "give" a new heart Ezekiel 36:26 or when a son is "given" Isaiah 9:6.
  • H631 ʼâçar (to bind, prison): This verb is used in the context of the tribute in 2 Kings 23:33, where the king was first "put him in bands." This act of binding is a physical form of punishment, also seen in references to the "opening of the prison to them that are bound" Isaiah 61:1.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H6066 is found in its portrayal of consequence and justice.

  • Imposed Authority: The use of ʻônesh as a tribute demonstrates the power of earthly rulers to enforce penalties, as seen when Pharaohnechoh subjugates a nation and demands payment 2 Kings 23:33.
  • Personal Accountability: Its use as punishment in Proverbs establishes a direct link between a person's "great wrath" and the negative consequences they will inevitably bear, suggesting a moral or natural law of cause and effect Proverbs 19:19.
  • Action of Consequence: The verbs associated with ʻônesh—to "bear" H5375, "put" H5414, or "bind" H631—frame punishment not as an abstract idea but as an active event, something that is suffered, imposed, or physically enforced.

Summary

In summary, H6066 is a precise term that defines consequence in two distinct forms: the tribute enforced by a conquering power and the punishment that arises from personal wrongdoing. Though its use is infrequent, ʻônesh effectively captures the biblical concepts of accountability and justice, showing that penalties can be levied by both human authorities and the inherent nature of one's own actions.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 3 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • עֹנֶשׁ
  • עֲנָשׁ

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H5375 נָשָׂא or נָסָה; (Psalm 4:6 (אֲבַד)), a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, ab H5414 נָתַן a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, a H631 אָסַר a primitive root; to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle; bind, fast, gird, harness, hold,

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 2 verses across 2 of the 39 books. Most frequent in 2 Kings and Proverbs (1 verse each); never once in the other 37.

1
2 Kings
1
Proverbs

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.