from עָתַר; also compare עָתַר; incense (as increasing to a volume of smoke); hence a worshipper; suppliant, thick.
Transliteration:ʻâthâr
Pronunciation:aw-thawr'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun `{{H6282}}` (ʻâthâr) is derived from the verbal root `{{H6279}}` (ʻâthar), which primarily signifies "to pray, entreat, supplicate, intercede." This foundational connection is crucial for understanding the semantic breadth of `{{H6282}}`. The base definition provided suggests two primary, albeit related, semantic fields:
1. **The Suppliant/Worshipper:** Directly stemming from the verb `{{H6279}}`, this refers to the one who prays or makes supplication. It implies an individual engaged in earnest entreaty with God, often with an expectation of being heard or answered. This meaning emphasizes the *agent* of prayer.
2. **Abundance/Density/Incense:** This semantic branch extends from the concept of "increasing to a volume of smoke" or being "thick." It can refer to a large quantity or density, such as a "multitude" or a "thick cloud." The specific mention of "incense" within this definition suggests a dense, rising volume of smoke, often associated with worship or ritual. This meaning emphasizes the *quantity* or *quality* of something rising or accumulating.
These two meanings are not entirely disparate. A "suppliant" offers prayers that, in a metaphorical sense, might rise like a "thick cloud" of incense. The effectiveness of prayer (from `{{H6279}}`) could also be associated with an "abundance" of divine response or blessing.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The noun `{{H6282}}` is quite rare in the Hebrew Bible, appearing in only two distinct contexts, which beautifully illustrate its dual semantic range:
1. **[[Isaiah 1:11]]**: "To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats."
In this prophetic indictment against Judah's hypocritical worship, `{{H6282}}` is translated as "multitude" (KJV, NASB) or "abundance" (ESV). Here, the word clearly denotes a large quantity or plethora of sacrifices. The prophet, speaking for the Lord, critiques the sheer volume of ritualistic offerings that are devoid of genuine righteousness and justice. The "thickness" or "abundance" of their religious acts is presented as an offensive burden rather than an acceptable worship. This usage aligns with the "abundance/density" aspect of the word's meaning.
2. **[[Ezekiel 8:11]]**: "And there stood before them seventy men of the ancients of the house of Israel, and in the midst of them Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan, with every man his censer in his hand; and a thick cloud of incense went up."
This passage describes a vision of idolatrous worship within the temple precincts. Here, `{{H6282}}` is rendered "thick cloud" (KJV) or "dense cloud" (ESV) in reference to the incense rising from the censers. This occurrence directly corresponds to the "incense (as increasing to a volume of smoke)" and "thick" aspects of the definition. The scene portrays a physical manifestation of a large, dense volume of smoke, tragically offered to idols rather than to Yahweh. The "thickness" here describes the visual density of the smoke, emphasizing the magnitude of the profane ritual.
These two occurrences demonstrate that while `{{H6282}}` is rare, its usage is precise, highlighting either a quantity (multitude of sacrifices) or a physical density (thick cloud of incense), both rooted in the concept of "abundance" or "increase."
### Related Words & Concepts
The most significant related word is the verbal root `{{H6279}}` (ʻâthar), from which `{{H6282}}` is derived. The verb `{{H6279}}` means "to pray, entreat, supplicate," often implying an effective prayer that God hears and answers (e.g., [[Genesis 25:21]], [[Exodus 8:30]]). The noun `{{H6282}}` thus carries an inherent connection to the act of prayer and the one who prays.
Other related concepts include:
* **Prayer and Supplication:** Terms like tefillah (prayer) or tachanun (supplication, plea for favor) share the semantic domain of earnest communication with the divine. While `{{H6282}}` itself doesn't directly mean "prayer" in its occurrences, its etymological link to `{{H6279}}` suggests this underlying connection.
* **Incense (qetoret):** The mention of "incense" in the definition and its use in [[Ezekiel 8:11]] connects `{{H6282}}` to the broader category of aromatic offerings. Incense in biblical contexts can symbolize prayers rising to God (e.g., [[Psalm 141:2]], [[Revelation 5:8]]) or can be associated with idolatry and false worship.
* **Abundance and Multitude:** Words like rov (`{{H7230}}`, multitude, abundance) or hamon (`{{H1995}}`, multitude, crowd, sound) share the quantitative aspect of `{{H6282}}` as seen in [[Isaiah 1:11]].
The relationship between `{{H6282}}` and `{{H6279}}` suggests a potential semantic flow: the suppliant (`{{H6282}}`) engages in effective prayer (`{{H6279}}`), which, when acceptable, rises like a pleasing aroma, or when rejected, is merely an offensive "abundance."
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H6282}}` is primarily derived from its connection to `{{H6279}}` and its specific usages:
1. **The Efficacy of Prayer (via Root `{{H6279}}`):** While `{{H6282}}` itself doesn't directly describe God's response, its root `{{H6279}}` frequently denotes successful, answered prayer. This implies that the "suppliant" (`{{H6282}}`) is one whose prayers are heard. The concept of a "thick" or "abundant" prayer could metaphorically signify the intensity or volume of a suppliant's earnest plea before God.
2. **Critique of Ritualistic Worship:** The use of `{{H6282}}` in [[Isaiah 1:11]] is profoundly significant. It highlights God's disdain for mere external religious performance, no matter how "abundant" or impressive in quantity. The "multitude of sacrifices" is rejected because it lacks the internal righteousness and justice that God truly desires. This underscores a perennial prophetic theme: true worship is not about the volume of ritual but the purity of heart and obedience to God's covenant.
3. **Symbolism of Profane Incense:** In [[Ezekiel 8:11]], the "thick cloud of incense" is part of a scene of abominable idolatry. While incense could symbolize acceptable prayer, here it represents a *profane* and offensive act. The "thickness" of the smoke emphasizes the magnitude of the rebellion against God. This demonstrates that even something seemingly grand or abundant in religious practice can be utterly detestable if offered to false gods or with impure motives.
4. **The Nature of True Abundance:** The word challenges the human tendency to equate spiritual value with physical quantity or outward display. Whether it's an "abundance" of sacrifices or a "thick cloud" of incense, `{{H6282}}` in its biblical contexts often points to a superficial or even offensive "abundance" when separated from genuine devotion.
### Summary
The Hebrew noun `{{H6282}}` (ʻâthâr) is a rare but insightful word, stemming from the verbal root `{{H6279}}` ("to pray, entreat"). Its core meaning encompasses both the idea of a "suppliant" or "worshipper" and the concept of "abundance," "thickness," or a "dense volume of smoke," particularly in relation to "incense."
Its two biblical occurrences precisely illustrate this semantic range: in [[Isaiah 1:11]], it refers to the "multitude" or "abundance" of sacrifices, highlighting a quantitative excess in ritualistic worship rejected by God. In [[Ezekiel 8:11]], it describes a "thick cloud" of incense offered in idolatrous worship, emphasizing physical density in a profane context.
Theologically, `{{H6282}}` underscores the importance of genuine heart over mere external religious volume or display. While etymologically linked to effective prayer, its biblical usage serves as a potent reminder that an "abundance" of religious activity or a "thick" display of worship can be meaningless, or even an abomination, if divorced from righteousness, truth, and devotion to the one true God.
TRV