or עָשֹׂר; from עֶשֶׂר; ten; by abbreviated form ten strings, and so a decachord; (instrument of) ten (strings, -th).
Transliteration:ʻâsôwr
Pronunciation:aw-sore'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word עָשׂוֹר (`{{H6218}}`, ʻâsôwr) is directly derived from the root עֶשֶׂר (`{{H6235}}`), meaning "ten." Its primary semantic range encompasses two distinct yet related applications. Firstly, it denotes the ordinal "tenth," most commonly referring to the "tenth day" of a month. Secondly, through an abbreviated form related to "ten strings," it refers to a "decachord" or a "ten-stringed instrument," a type of musical instrument used in ancient Israel. This dual usage highlights both a numerical precision and a specific implement of worship.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of ʻâsôwr (`{{H6218}}`) in the Hebrew Bible can be categorized by its two main meanings:
1. **As "the tenth day":**
* [[Exodus 12:3]]: Here, it specifies the "tenth day" of the first month, when each household was to select a lamb for the Passover sacrifice. This marks the beginning of the crucial preparations for the foundational feast of Israelite redemption.
* [[Leviticus 16:29]]: This verse, along with [[Leviticus 23:27]] and [[Numbers 29:7]], designates the "tenth day" of the seventh month as the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). This was the most solemn day in the Israelite calendar, a day of national fasting, repentance, and purification. The precise designation of "the tenth day" underscores the divine appointment and critical timing of this annual ritual.
2. **As a "decachord" or "ten-stringed instrument":**
* [[Psalm 33:2]]: The psalmist exhorts, "Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; sing praises to Him with the harp of ten strings (ʻâsôwr)." Here, it is an instrument of praise, likely a type of lute or lyre with a specific number of strings.
* [[Psalm 92:3]]: In this psalm, a song for the Sabbath day, the ʻâsôwr is again mentioned alongside the psaltery and harp as instruments for making melody to the Lord.
* [[Psalm 144:9]]: "I will sing a new song to You, O God; upon a decachord, an instrument of ten strings (ʻâsôwr), I will sing praises to You." This verse connects the ʻâsôwr with the offering of a "new song," suggesting fresh praise and gratitude to God, perhaps for recent deliverance or blessing.
The consistent use of ʻâsôwr in the Psalms points to its established role in temple worship and personal devotion as an instrument capable of producing rich, harmonious sounds suitable for magnifying God.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is עֶשֶׂר (`{{H6235}}`), the cardinal number "ten," from which ʻâsôwr is directly derived. Other forms, such as עָשָׂר (also `{{H6235}}`), are used in compound numbers.
In the context of musical instruments, ʻâsôwr (`{{H6218}}`) is often found alongside כִּנּוֹר (`{{H3658}}`, "lyre" or "harp") and נֵבֶב (`{{H5035}}`, "harp" or "lute"), indicating its place within the family of stringed instruments used for worship in ancient Israel. The numerical significance of "ten" itself carries broader biblical implications, often symbolizing completeness, divine order, or a full measure (e.g., the Ten Commandments, the tithe).
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ʻâsôwr (`{{H6218}}`) is multifaceted, reflecting both the precision of divine timing and the richness of human worship.
In its numerical sense as "the tenth day," ʻâsôwr underscores the divine ordering of time and the importance of specific, appointed seasons for sacred observances. Its most profound association is with the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur. This connection imbues ʻâsôwr with themes of holiness, purification, and national reconciliation with God. The meticulous adherence to the "tenth day" for this pivotal ritual highlights God's demand for precise obedience and the seriousness of sin requiring specific, divinely ordained atonement. It speaks to the meticulous nature of God's redemptive plan, where every detail and timing is significant.
As a "decachord" or "ten-stringed instrument," ʻâsôwr symbolizes the beauty and fullness of worship offered to God. The presence of such an instrument in the Psalms emphasizes the integral role of instrumental music in expressing praise, thanksgiving, and adoration. The "ten strings" may subtly suggest a complete or full sound, indicating that worship should be offered with fullness of heart and skill. The call to sing "a new song" with the ʻâsôwr in [[Psalm 144:9]] suggests a fresh, spontaneous outpouring of praise in response to God's ongoing faithfulness and mighty acts. Thus, ʻâsôwr represents the dedicated and artful expression of devotion, enriching the corporate and individual experience of drawing near to God.
### Summary
The Hebrew word ʻâsôwr (`{{H6218}}`) is a rich term derived from עֶשֶׂר (`{{H6235}}`, "ten"), signifying both a numerical ordinal ("the tenth") and a specific musical instrument ("decachord" or "ten-stringed instrument"). In its numerical capacity, ʻâsôwr marks divinely appointed times, most notably the solemn Day of Atonement on the tenth day of the seventh month, emphasizing God's precise ordering of sacred events and the critical nature of repentance and reconciliation ([[Leviticus 16:29]]). As a musical instrument, the ʻâsôwr appears in the Psalms, symbolizing the joyous, full, and dedicated expression of praise and worship to Yahweh ([[Psalm 33:2]], [[Psalm 92:3]], [[Psalm 144:9]]). Both applications of ʻâsôwr converge to highlight themes of divine order, the sanctity of time, and the profound significance of dedicated worship in the life of faith.
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