אוֹת (ot)
ot
sign: miraculous
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 67 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun ot refers to a distinguishing mark or signal that points beyond itself. It functions as a visible token, whether it is the rainbow after the flood in Genesis 9, the circumcision sign in Genesis 17, or the plagues in Egypt described in Exodus. The word covers a broad range of concrete and abstract indicators, including military banners, weather signs, and monuments that serve as memorials for future generations.
A key feature of ot is its role as a pledge of divine presence or action. In Isaiah 8:18, the prophet and his children are described as signs and wonders to Israel, linking their very existence to God’s message. This usage connects the physical sign with a spiritual reality, making it a proof of God’s interposition in history rather than merely a passive symbol.
Translators often render ot as "sign," "token," or "miracle" depending on context. While English "miracle" emphasizes the supernatural event, ot focuses on the signifying function of that event. The word reminds readers that God uses tangible markers to establish covenants and confirm His promises, ensuring the message remains clear across time.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word ot points to something tangible that reveals a deeper spiritual truth. It is not just a symbol but a pledge of God’s faithfulness. When you see a sign, it reminds you that God is actively involved in your life and history. This concept helps us understand how God communicates His promises through visible markers, whether in nature or in personal experience.
For your daily walk, this means looking for God’s presence in the ordinary moments. Just as the rainbow after the flood was a sign of God’s covenant, everyday blessings can serve as reminders of His care. These signs invite you to trust in His ongoing work, knowing that He uses tangible markers to confirm His love and guidance.
Reflecting on these signs can deepen your appreciation for God’s faithfulness. They encourage you to remain attentive to His voice and actions in your life. By recognizing these markers, you find comfort in the knowledge that God is always present, guiding you through every season with purpose and grace.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 67 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ signs9×
- [will be] the/ sign9×
- a sign8×
- signs5×
- <into>/ a sign5×
- signs/ my4×
- signs/ his3×
- <into>/ a sign of3×
- the/ sign2×
- for/ a sign2×
- by/ signs2×
- [is] a sign2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- א֔וֹת4×
- הָ/א֔וֹת3×
- לְ/אוֹת֙2×
- לְ/א֥וֹת2×
- לְ/א֣וֹת2×
- לְ/א֖וֹת2×
- הָ/אוֹת֙2×
- הָ/אֹתֹ֖ת2×
- הָ/אֹת֥וֹת2×
- אֽוֹת\־2×
- אֹת֣וֹת2×
- א֥וֹת2×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 9:13
I set my rainbow in the cloud, and it will be a sign of a covenant between me and the earth.
This verse establishes the rainbow as a visible sign of God’s covenant, linking natural phenomena to divine promise.
-
Exodus 4:8
“It will happen, if they will not believe you or listen to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign.
Here, the sign serves as a tangible proof of Moses’ authority, demonstrating God’s power through miraculous acts.
-
Exodus 31:13
“Speak also to the children of Israel, saying, ‘Most certainly you shall keep my Sabbaths; for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am Yahweh who sanctifies you.
The Sabbath is described as a sign between God and Israel, highlighting its role in sanctification and relationship.
-
Numbers 14:22
because all those men who have seen my glory and my signs, which I worked in Egypt and in the wilderness, yet have tempted me these ten times, and have not listened to my voice;
This occurrence contrasts the people’s disbelief with the clear evidence of God’s signs, emphasizing faith over sight.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word ot mean?
How is ot different from a simple symbol?
Where does ot appear in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (67 verses across 13 books)
Genesis 6 verses
God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs to…
Genesis 4:15Yahweh said to him, “Therefore whoever slays Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold.” Yahweh appointed a sign…
Genesis 9:12God said, “This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with…
Genesis 9:13I set my rainbow in the cloud, and it will be a sign of a covenant between me and the earth.
Genesis 9:17God said to Noah, “This is the token of the covenant which I have established between me and all flesh that is on the…
Genesis 17:11You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin. It will be a token of the covenant between me and you.