The Hebrew word shᵉmônîym, represented by H8084, is a numerical term for eighty or fourscore, also used for eightieth. It is derived from the word for eight, H8083 shᵉmôneh. Appearing 38 times across 37 unique verses, it is often used to quantify age, large groups of people, or significant periods of time.
Grammatically, H8084 shᵉmônîym is a pluralized form of H8083 shᵉmôneh (eight), where the -îym ending denotes the tens, a common pattern in Hebrew for numbers from twenty to ninety. This grammatical construction signifies not merely "eight times ten," but a collective "eight tens," functioning as a singular unit when quantifying. This structure emphasizes the completeness or substantial nature of the quantity, whether it refers to years, people, or units of measure, marking it as a significant numerical benchmark within the narrative.
In biblical accounts, H8084 is used to denote significant ages and quantities. Moses was fourscore years old when he and Aaron spoke to Pharaoh Exodus 7:7. The land experienced a long period of peace, having rest for fourscore years after Moab was subdued Judges 3:30. It is also used to count large numbers of people in national undertakings, such as the fourscore thousand hewers Solomon employed in the mountains to build the house of the LORD 1 Kings 5:15. In a time of great famine, the desperation was measured by the price of an ass's head selling for fourscore pieces of silver 2 Kings 6:25.
Beyond specific ages and major projects, H8084 also frequently appears in detailed census records and military musters, highlighting the vastness of Israel's tribal strength or the scale of royal armies. For example, the genealogies of Issachar included valiant men totaling fourscore and seven thousand 1 Chronicles 7:5, while the Levites in the holy city were numbered at two hundred fourscore and four Nehemiah 11:18. Similarly, Rehoboam gathered one hundred and fourscore thousand chosen warriors from Judah and Benjamin 2 Chronicles 11:1, and King Asa's army included two hundred and fourscore thousand from Benjamin 2 Chronicles 14:8, illustrating the considerable forces involved in ancient warfare and national defense.
Several related numerical terms provide context for H8084:
- H8083 shᵉmôneh (eight): This is the root number from which eighty is derived. It appears in counts alongside eighty, as in a total of eight thousand and five hundred and fourscore Numbers 4:48.
- H705 ʼarbâʻîym (forty): A significant number often representing a generation or period of trial. Caleb recalls the forty and five years since the LORD spoke to Moses in the wilderness, stating he is now fourscore and five years old Joshua 14:10.
- H7657 shibʻîym (seventy): This number is frequently paired with eighty. A human lifespan is described as threescore and ten years, and by reason of strength, fourscore years Psalms 90:10. Solomon also employed threescore and ten thousand burden bearers alongside his fourscore thousand hewers 1 Kings 5:15.
- H8066 shᵉmîynîy (eighth): This is the ordinal form of eight, directly linking to the cardinal root H8083 from which H8084 is derived. It represents the position in a sequence, while shᵉmônîym represents a quantity of tens.
The number H8084 carries significant conceptual weight in scripture, often marking the fullness of a human lifespan or a major historical period.
- Measure of a Full Life: The age of fourscore is depicted as the upper limit of a long life, achieved only "by reason of strength" and characterized by "labour and sorrow" Psalms 90:10. Barzillai, at fourscore years, considers himself too old to appreciate life's pleasures and a burden to the king 2 Samuel 19:35.
- Quantifying National Power and Projects: The term is used to measure the scale of royal and military endeavors. Rehoboam assembled an army of one hundred and fourscore thousand chosen warriors to fight against Israel 1 Kings 12:21. It also quantifies the vast labor force, with Solomon enlisting fourscore thousand hewers for his building projects 2 Chronicles 2:2.
- Marking Significant Timeframes: Beyond lifespan, fourscore can define an era. The land had rest for fourscore years under the judges, a significant period of peace Judges 3:30. The construction of the temple began in the four hundred and eightieth year after the Exodus, marking a pivotal moment in Israel's history 1 Kings 6:1.
- Divine Judgment and Protection: The number H8084 occasionally features in contexts that underscore divine power or judgment. Most notably, the angel of the LORD smote an astounding hundred fourscore and five thousand in the camp of the Assyrians, resulting in their complete destruction overnight 2 Kings 19:35, Isaiah 37:36. This immense number, precisely quantified, serves as a stark testament to God's intervention on behalf of His people, where a vast enemy force is annihilated in a single act of divine judgment, far exceeding human capability.
The Hebrew term H8084 shᵉmônîym, meaning "eighty" or "fourscore," is a significant numerical marker within the Old Testament, derived from the root H8083 shᵉmôneh (eight) and grammatically structured to denote a collective "eight tens." It consistently serves to quantify substantial measures, whether of time, age, or groups of individuals, thereby providing concrete dimensions to biblical narratives.
Its usage spans a wide range of contexts, from establishing the advanced ages of key figures like Moses and Barzillai, to delineating long periods of peace under the judges or the extensive timeline leading to the construction of the Temple. Furthermore, H8084 is instrumental in illustrating the immense scale of national undertakings, such as Solomon's vast labor force for building projects, or the formidable size of royal armies in both offensive campaigns and defensive musters. Its appearance in census records further underscores its role in detailing the demographic and military strength of Israelite tribes.
Beyond mere arithmetic, H8084 also highlights moments of extreme human experience, from the desperation of famine where an ass's head fetched an exorbitant price, to the awe-inspiring display of divine power when an angel decimated a colossal Assyrian army. In these instances, the number fourscore or eighty acts as a benchmark, emphasizing the gravity of circumstances or the magnitude of God's intervention. As such, H8084 functions as a robust numerical descriptor, imbuing biblical accounts with tangible measures of age, power, wealth, and divine providence.
TRV