English · KJV
H6280

עָתַר

ʻâthar /aw-thar'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto be (causatively, make) abundant
KJV usagedeceitful, multiply.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of ʻâthar — 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 ʻâthar, represented by H6280, is a primitive root meaning to be abundant, deceitful, or to multiply. It is a rare term, appearing only 2 times across 2 unique verses in the Bible, carrying a negative connotation in both of its usages.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical contexts, H6280 describes a form of negative excess. In Proverbs, it characterizes the kisses of an enemy as deceitful, contrasting them with the faithful wounds of a friend Proverbs 27:6. In Ezekiel, the term is used to describe how the enemies of Israel have multiplied their defiant words against God, an act of verbal rebellion that God states He has personally heard Ezekiel 35:13.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the meaning of H6280 in its specific contexts:

  • H539 ʼâman (to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe): This word for faithful stands in direct opposition to the "deceitful" nature of an enemy's affection, highlighting the value of trustworthy truth over misleading abundance Proverbs 27:6.
  • H1431 gâdal (to be... large... in pride): This verb for "boasted" is paired with H6280 in Ezekiel, emphasizing that the "multiplied" words are not just numerous but are spoken with arrogance and pride against God Ezekiel 35:13.
  • H1697 dâbâr (a word; by implication, a matter): This is the object being multiplied against God. The use of H6280 here shows how speech itself can become an instrument of rebellion through sheer, boastful volume Ezekiel 35:13.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H6280 is centered on the nature of deception and rebellion.

  • Deceptive Affection: The word warns against flattery and insincere displays of friendship. The deceitful H6280 kisses of an enemy are a form of abundant but empty affection that masks ill intent Proverbs 27:6.
  • Arrogant Speech: The term is used to define rebellion in the form of arrogant speech. To multiply words against God is an act of defiance, suggesting that a great quantity of words can be used to boast and challenge divine authority Ezekiel 35:13.
  • Truth vs. Abundance: By contrasting faithful H539 wounds with deceitful H6280 kisses, Scripture establishes that truth, even when painful, is superior to a profusion of pleasant falsehoods.

Summary

In summary, H6280 encapsulates the concept of a corrupting abundance. Though it appears only twice, its meaning is sharp and consistent: it describes an excess that is either misleadingly affectionate or rebelliously boastful. It serves as a biblical caution against both insincere flattery from an enemy and the arrogant multiplication of words against God.

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 2 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.

  • הַעְתַּרְתֶּם
  • נַעְתָּרוֹת

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.

H539 אָמַן a primitive root; (Isaiah 30:21; interchangeable with אָמַן, to go to the right hand); properly, to build up or support; H1431 גָּדַל a primitive root; properly, to twist (compare גְּדִל), i.e.; to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in bo H1697 דָּבָר from דָבַר; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause; act, advice, affair, answer,

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 Proverbs and Ezekiel (1 verse each); never once in the other 37.

1
Proverbs
1
Ezekiel

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.