English · KJV
H6237

עָשַׂר

ʻâsar /aw-sar'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root (identical with עָשַׁר)
Meaningto accumulate; but used only as denominative from עֶשֶׂר; to tithe, i.e. to take or give atenth
KJV usagegive (take) the tenth, (have, take) tithe(-ing, -s)
Idioms & phrasesidiom surely · idiom truly.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of ʻâsar — 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 ʻâsar, represented by H6237, is a primitive root used to describe the act of tithing. Though its base meaning relates to accumulation, it is used only as a denominative action of setting aside a tenth part. It appears 9 times across 7 unique verses in the Bible, signifying the action to to tithe, i.e. to take or give a tenth.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The use of H6237 appears in three primary contexts. It is first seen as a personal vow, when Jacob promises God, "of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth" Genesis 28:22. Later, it is codified as a law for the nation of Israel, commanding them to "truly tithe all the increase of thy seed" Deuteronomy 14:22. Finally, it is used to describe a form of civil tax, where Samuel warns that a king will take the tenth of their seed, vineyards, and sheep for his own servants and officers (1 Samuel 8:15, 17).

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide context for the act of tithing:

  • H4643 maʻăsêr (a tenth; especially a tithe): This is the noun form directly related to ʻâsar, representing the thing being given. It is used for "all the tithes of thine increase" which were to be set aside Deuteronomy 26:12.
  • H8393 tᵉbûwʼâh (income, i.e. produce): This word defines the source from which the tithe is taken, specifically the agricultural increase of the field that God provides Deuteronomy 14:22.
  • H3881 Lêvîyîy (a Levite or descendant of Levi): This identifies the primary recipients of the tithe under the Law. The Levites were to "have the tithes" to support them in their service to God Nehemiah 10:37.

Theological Significance

The theological and civil weight of H6237 is significant in the Old Testament.

  • An Act of Worship: Jacob's vow establishes tithing as an act of worship and gratitude in response to God's blessing and presence, directly connecting it to "God's house" Genesis 28:22.
  • Provision for Ministry and the Poor: The Law institutionalizes this act to provide for the Levites and priests who had no land inheritance. The instruction to finish tithing includes giving to the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow so they may eat and be filled Deuteronomy 26:12.
  • A Model for Taxation: The word is also used to describe a king's right to take the tenth, establishing a precedent for a form of governmental tax to sustain the king's household and administration 1 Samuel 8:15.

Summary

In summary, H6237 is a specific verb that denotes the separation of a tenth part for a higher purpose. Its application ranges from a personal, voluntary act of worship to a mandated religious requirement for the support of the ministry and the poor, and even extends to a model for civil taxation by a ruler. The word encapsulates a principle of acknowledging a source of provision—whether God or a king—by returning a portion.

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 verb across 9 occurrences, inflected in 6 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.

  • עְשֵׂר
  • עַשֵּׂר
  • יַעְשֹׂר
  • אֲעַשְּׂרֶ
  • תְּעַשֵּׂר
  • מְעַשְּׂרִים

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.

H4643 מַעֲשֵׂר or מַעֲשַׂר; and (in plural) feminine מַעַשְׂרָה; from עָשָׂר; a tenth; especially a tithe; tenth (part), tithe(-ing). H8393 תְּבוּאָה from בּוֹא; income, i.e. produce (literally or figuratively); fruit, gain, increase, revenue. H3881 לֵוִיִּי or לֵוִי; patronymically from לֵוִי; a Levite or descendant of Levi; Leviite.

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 7 verses across 4 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Deuteronomy, 1 Samuel, and Nehemiah (2 verses each); never once in the other 35.

1
Genesis
2
Deuteronomy
2
1 Samuel
2
Nehemiah

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.