Lexical Summary asar: To be rich, to enrich, to gain riches Original Word: עָשַׂר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance give the tenth, have, take tithing truly A primitive root (ident. With ashar); to accumulate; but used only as denominative from eser; to tithe, i.e. To take or give a tenth -- X surely, give (take) the tenth, (have, take) tithe(-ing, -s), X truly. see HEBREW ashar see HEBREW eser NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origindenominative verb from eser Definition to take the tenth of, tithe NASB Translation paying (1), receive the tithes (1), receive tithes (1), surely give (1), surely give a tenth (1), surely tithe (1), take a tenth (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs [עָשַׂר] verb denominative take the tenth of, tithe; — Qal Imperfect3masculine singular יַעְשׂר 1 Samuel 8:15,17 (with accusative of thing tithed). Pi`el Imperfect + Infinitive absolute give a tenth of, with accusative of thing: 2 masculine singular עַשֵּׂר תְּעַשֵּׂר Deuteronomy 14:22; 1singular עַשֵּׂר אֲעַשְּׂרֶנּוּ לָ֑ח Genesis 28:22 (P); Participle taking the tenth, הַמְעַשְּׂרִים Nehemiah 10:38. Hiph`il (so usually explained) Infinitive לַעְשֵׂר Deuteronomy 26:12 with accusative of congnate meaning with verb i.e. taking, reckoning, tithe, but Infinitive construct with ֵ֯ improbable, < read לְעַשֵּׂר Pi`el; בַּעְשֵׂר Nehemiah 10:39 absolute, i.e. receiving tithes, but read probably בַּעְשׂר Qal (on anomalous points, see Ges§ 53k DrDeuteronomy 26:12). Topical Lexicon Root Idea and Scope עָשַׂר (ʼasar) is the verb that expresses the act of giving or exacting a tenth. While the noun מַעֲשֵׂר (maʽăsēr, “tithe”) is common, the verb appears only nine times, underscoring decisive moments when action, rather than theory, is in view. Canonical Distribution Occurrences are confined to formative covenantal settings: the Patriarchal period (Genesis), the Sinai legislation (Deuteronomy), the early monarchy (1 Samuel), and the post-exilic restoration (Nehemiah). Each cluster unfolds fresh dimensions of devotion, governance, or reform. First Use: The Patriarchal Vow (Genesis 28:22) Jacob, fleeing to Paddan-Aram, consecrates Bethel with his vow: “and of all that You give me I will surely give You a tenth” (Genesis 28:22). Here ʼasar frames tithing as a grateful response to unmerited grace. No priesthood is present; the tithe is a personal act of worship, revealing tithing as rooted in faith prior to Sinai. Legislative Foundation (Deuteronomy 14:22; 26:12) Under Moses, the verb anchors Israel’s agrarian rhythm: “You must be sure to set aside a tenth of all the produce... year after year” (Deuteronomy 14:22). The Deuteronomic tithe is three-fold: celebration before the Lord (14:23-27), provision for Levites, and every third year, relief for “the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow” (26:12). Thus ʼasar fuses worship with community justice; neglect of either dimension is covenant breach. Tithe Versus Tax Under the Monarchy (1 Samuel 8:15, 17) Israel’s demand for a king brings warning: “He will take a tenth of your grain... he will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves” (1 Samuel 8:15, 17). The same verb that once described voluntary consecration is now applied to royal exaction. Scripture contrasts the liberating tithe to God with the burdensome tithe to human sovereignty, reminding hearers that allegiance ultimately belongs to the Lord. Post-Exilic Renewal (Nehemiah 10:37-38) In Jerusalem’s restoration, the people pledge to “bring a tenth of our land’s produce to the Levites” (Nehemiah 10:37). The priests, too, must “bring a tenth of the tithes” to the storerooms (verse 38). Here ʼasar becomes a community-wide covenant renewal tool, guarding against the spiritual drift that led to exile. Theology of the Tenth 1. Lordship: The tithe confesses that all provision flows from God. Ministry Significance Today While Christians are not under Mosaic civil law, the principle incarnated by ʼasar—intentional, proportional, worship-saturated giving—remains instructive. The verb’s sparse but strategic appearances compel believers to: Summary עָשַׂר serves as Scripture’s action word for dedicating a tenth. From Jacob’s solitary vow to Nehemiah’s public covenant, it calls the people of God to tangible, joyful, and just acknowledgment of the Lord’s ownership over all life. Forms and Transliterations אֲעַשְּׂרֶ֥נּוּ אעשרנו בַּעְשֵׂ֣ר בעשר הַֽמְעַשְּׂרִ֔ים המעשרים יַעְשֹׂ֑ר יעשר לַ֠עְשֵׂר לעשר עַשֵּׂ֖ר עַשֵּׂ֣ר עשר תְּעַשֵּׂ֔ר תעשר ‘aś·śêr ‘aśśêr ’ă‘aśśərennū ’ă·‘aś·śə·ren·nū aasseRennu asSer ba‘·śêr ba‘śêr baSer ham‘aśśərîm ham·‘aś·śə·rîm hamasseRim la‘·śêr la‘śêr Laser tə‘aśśêr tə·‘aś·śêr teasSer ya‘·śōr ya‘śōr yaSorLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 28:22 HEB: תִּתֶּן־ לִ֔י עַשֵּׂ֖ר אֲעַשְּׂרֶ֥נּוּ לָֽךְ׃ NAS: that You give me I will surely give a tenth KJV: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth INT: which you give will surely give Genesis 28:22 Deuteronomy 14:22 Deuteronomy 14:22 Deuteronomy 26:12 1 Samuel 8:15 1 Samuel 8:17 Nehemiah 10:37 Nehemiah 10:38 9 Occurrences |
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