אָחוּ (a.chu)
a.chu
meadow
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun aḥū refers to reeds or marsh plants that grow in wetlands. In the Hebrew Bible, this word describes the vegetation found near water sources, such as the marshes and riverbanks where these tall, hollow-stemmed plants thrive.
It appears only three times in Scripture, primarily in poetic books like Job. For example, Job 8:11 asks a rhetorical question about whether reeds can grow without swampy ground or produce sedge without water. This usage highlights the plant’s dependence on its specific environment for survival.
The word is closely related to the concept of marshes or wetlands, emphasizing the habitat rather than just the plant itself. Translators often render it as "reeds" or "rushes," capturing the image of soft, flexible vegetation that bends with the wind but remains rooted in moisture.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we read about reeds growing in marshes, we see a picture of deep dependence. These plants cannot survive on dry ground or scattered rain; they need the steady presence of water to take root and stand tall. This imagery reminds us that spiritual vitality often comes from remaining connected to the source of life, rather than trying to sustain ourselves through our own strength.
In times when we feel dry or disconnected, this word invites us to look for the places where God’s living water flows. It is not about striving harder in barren soil, but about trusting that He provides the right environment for growth. Just as the papyrus bends with the wind yet stays anchored in the mud, we too can find stability when we rest in His provision.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- among the/ reed[s]2×
- reed[s]1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בָּ/אָֽחוּ\׃2×
- אָ֥חוּ1×
Key Verses
-
Job 8:11
“Can the papyrus grow up without mire? Can the rushes grow without water?
This rhetorical question highlights the absolute necessity of water for the plant's survival, illustrating that spiritual life requires constant connection to God.
-
Genesis 41:2
Behold, seven cattle came up out of the river. They were sleek and fat, and they fed in the marsh grass.
The mention of cattle feeding in the marsh grass shows how this vegetation sustains life and prosperity when God provides abundance.
-
Genesis 41:18
and behold, seven fat and sleek cattle came up out of the river. They fed in the marsh grass;
This verse reinforces the theme of nourishment, linking the healthy growth of the reeds to the fatness of the cattle in Pharaoh's dream.