Lexical Summary achar: after, behind, following, later Original Word: אָחַר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance continue, defer, delay, hinder, be late slack, stay there, tarry longer A primitive root; to loiter (i.e. Be behind); by implication to procrastinate -- continue, defer, delay, hinder, be late (slack), stay (there), tarry (longer). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to remain behind, tarry NASB Translation delay (11), delayed (1), late (2), linger (1), stay up late (1), stayed (1), tarry (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs אָחַר verb to remain behind, delay, tarry (Arabic  to put off, also to remain behind; Aramaic Pa`el אֵחַר, Aph`el  , Shaph`el  , Sabean אחֿר OsianderZMG 1865, 197; אחֿחֿר DHMEpigr. Denkm. 34). Qal once only Genesis 32:5 וָאֵחַר (contracted from וָאֶאֱחַר compare אֵהָ֑ב Proverbs 8:17) and I have tarried until now. Pi`el Perfect אֵחַר Genesis 34:19; אֶחֱרוּ Judges 5:28; Imperfect יְאַחֵר, תְּאַחֵר (3 t. תְּאַחַ֑ר) etc. Genesis 24:56 9t.; Participle (רֵֿי) מְאַהֲרִים3t. 1 intensive, delay, tarry, absolute Judges 5:28 ("" בּשֵׁשׁ לָבוֺא) Isaiah 46:13 and my salvation לֹא תְאַחֵר Habakkuk 2:3; Psalm 40:18 = Psalm 70:6; Daniel 9:19; with ל & infinitive Genesis 34:19. — Proverbs 23:30 מְאַחֲרִים עַלהַֿיָּיִ֑ן those tarrying over the wine, Isaiah 5:11 מְאַחֲרֵי בַנֶּשֶׁף, Psalm 127:2 מְאַחֲרֵי שֶׁבֶת ("" מַשְׁכִּימֵי קוּם). 2 causative of Qal, cause one to delay, hinder Genesis 24:56; keep back (= bring late) Exodus 22:28; with ל & infinitive delay to . . . Deuteronomy 23:22 quoted Ecclesiastes 5:3: elliptical Deuteronomy 7:10 he delayeth (it, the recompense) not to his enemy. — 2 Samuel 20:5 Qr וַיּ֫וֺחֶר is taken by Ol§ 241 c as Qal (compare וַתֹּ֫חֶז 2 Samuel 20:9 from אָחַז), by Sta§ 498 c Kö1. 397 Ges§ 682Rem as Hiph`il (literally shewed, exhibited delay): on the Kt (?וַיֵּיחַר) see DrSm. Topical Lexicon Key IdeaThe term conveys the concept of “afterward,” “later,” or “behind,” marking either a deferral in time or a position of sequence. It is never used abstractly; every occurrence is anchored to a concrete action or promise. The word therefore becomes a biblical touchpoint for the twin disciplines of urgent obedience and patient expectancy before God. Immediate Sequence and Refusal of Delay Genesis 24:56 sets the tone. Abraham’s servant, pressed to return with Rebekah, says, “Do not delay me, since the LORD has prospered my way”. The narrative stresses prompt compliance with divine leading. Similarly, Genesis 32:4 and Genesis 34:19 show Jacob and Shechem moving “after” a directive without hesitation. These passages underscore that when God’s purposes are clear, postponement is presumptuous. Deferred Obligation and Vows Exodus 22:29 and Deuteronomy 23:21 deal with offerings and vows. “When you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not delay to fulfill it” (Deuteronomy 23:21). Here “afterward” warns that postponed obedience becomes disobedience. Ecclesiastes 5:4 reiterates the danger, teaching that delayed payment of vows brings divine displeasure. The vocabulary of “later” thus exposes procrastination as a breach of covenant faithfulness. Covenantal Retribution and Justice Deuteronomy 7:10 stands out: God “repays those who hate Him to their faces, to destroy them; He will not be slow to repay”. The term highlights a certainty rather than a possibility—judgment may seem postponed, yet it arrives unfailingly. 2 Samuel 20:5 illustrates the same principle in human governance when Amasa’s delay in mustering Judah leads to his removal. Timeliness is integral to righteous rule. Domestic and Social Rhythm Psalm 127:2 observes, “In vain you rise early and stay up late,” capturing the futility of toil that stretches “after” its proper bounds. Proverbs 23:30 warns against those “who linger over wine,” using the word to picture late-night indulgence that erodes discernment. Isaiah 5:11 echoes the social critique, condemning those who chase strong drink “until night”—a lifestyle of extended gratification divorced from godly purpose. Personal Lament and Petition David appropriates the term devotionally. “Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and deliverer; O my God, do not delay” (Psalm 40:17; cf. Psalm 70:5). The psalmist pleads for God to reverse the usual sequence: let divine rescue come now, not “afterward.” The vocabulary of delay becomes an argument in prayer, legitimizing the believer’s cry for swift mercy. Prophetic Timing and Eschatological Confidence Habakkuk 2:3 is pivotal: “For the vision awaits an appointed time… Though it lingers, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay”. Daniel 9:19 uses identical language in intercession for Jerusalem’s restoration. Isaiah 46:13 promises, “I will bring My righteousness near; it is not far off, and My salvation will not be delayed.” In these texts the apparent postponement of God’s kingdom is reframed as perfect timing. The vocabulary comforts exiles and prophets that divine promises will not miss their appointment. Applications for Ministry 1. Urgent Obedience: Where God’s will is known, believers must answer without “afterward” excuses. Evangelistic opportunities, acts of reconciliation, and sacrificial giving lose power when postponed. 2. Patient Expectancy: Prophetic hope teaches congregations to endure apparent delays. God’s seeming slowness is purposeful, cultivating faith and repentance. 3. Pastoral Counseling: Many struggles stem from deferred action—unfulfilled vows, unresolved sins, overdue conversations. This word supplies both diagnosis and remedy: delayed obedience invites sorrow; timely response invites blessing. 4. Corporate Worship: Integrating Psalms 40 and 70 in liturgy reminds the church to pray for immediate help while submitting to God’s timetable. 5. Teaching on Judgment: Deuteronomy 7:10 balances the grace narrative. Divine retribution may appear postponed, yet it is never cancelled. Preaching this tension guards against complacency. Conclusion Across law, narrative, wisdom, psalm, and prophecy, the term threads a consistent message: God is never late, and human beings dare not be. In every sphere—family, nation, worship, or personal devotion—the call is to trust the Lord’s timing while refusing to let obedience slip into the comfort of “afterward.” Forms and Transliterations אֵחַ֤ר אֶֽחֱר֔וּ אחר אחרו וַיֹּ֕וחֶר וָאֵחַ֖ר ואחר ויוחר יְאַחֵֽר׃ יְאַחֵר֙ יאחר יאחר׃ לַֽמְאַחֲרִ֥ים למאחרים מְאַֽחֲרֵי־ מְאַחֲרֵ֣י מאחרי מאחרי־ תְּאַחֲר֣וּ תְּאַחֵר֙ תְּאַחַ֑ר תְּאַחַֽר׃ תְאַחֵ֑ר תְאַחֵ֖ר תאחר תאחר׃ תאחרו ’ê·ḥar ’e·ḥĕ·rū ’êḥar ’eḥĕrū eChar echeRu lam’aḥărîm lam·’a·ḥă·rîm lamachaRim mə’aḥărê mə’aḥărê- mə·’a·ḥă·rê mə·’a·ḥă·rê- meacharei tə’aḥar tə’aḥărū tə’aḥêr ṯə’aḥêr tə·’a·ḥă·rū tə·’a·ḥar tə·’a·ḥêr ṯə·’a·ḥêr teaChar teachaRu teaCher vaeChar vaiYocher wā’êḥar wā·’ê·ḥar way·yō·w·ḥer wayyōwḥer yə’aḥêr yə·’a·ḥêr yeaCherLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 24:56 HEB: אֲלֵהֶם֙ אַל־ תְּאַחֲר֣וּ אֹתִ֔י וַֽיהוָ֖ה NAS: He said to them, Do not delay me, since the LORD KJV: And he said unto them, Hinder me not, seeing the LORD INT: about not delay the LORD has prospered Genesis 32:4 Genesis 34:19 Exodus 22:29 Deuteronomy 7:10 Deuteronomy 23:21 Judges 5:28 2 Samuel 20:5 Psalm 40:17 Psalm 70:5 Psalm 127:2 Proverbs 23:30 Ecclesiastes 5:4 Isaiah 5:11 Isaiah 46:13 Daniel 9:19 Habakkuk 2:3 17 Occurrences |
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