אֹיֵב (o.yev)
o.yev
enemy
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 216 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew word o.yev identifies an adversary or enemy, covering both personal rivals and opposing nations. It functions as an active participle from a root meaning to be hostile, capturing the ongoing stance of opposition rather than a single act of aggression. This distinction allows it to describe persistent conflict, whether between individuals like David and Saul or between Israel and surrounding powers.
Its usage spans legal contexts, such as the prohibition against refusing aid to an enemy’s animal in Exodus 23:4, to intense national warfare found in Psalms and Jeremiah. The term carries significant theological weight in passages where God is depicted as fighting for His people against their foes, emphasizing divine protection amidst human hostility.
Translators typically render o.yev as "enemy" or "foe," reflecting its consistent association with active opposition. The word appears frequently in the Psalms, where it often serves as a backdrop for prayers of deliverance, highlighting the tension between present danger and trust in God’s justice.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word for enemy in Hebrew carries the sense of an active adversary. It describes someone who stands in opposition, whether a personal rival or a hostile nation. This term appears frequently in the Psalms, framing prayers for deliverance against those who seek harm. It captures the reality that conflict is part of the human experience, yet it also points to a deeper trust in God’s protection.
Scripture does not shy away from this tension. In Exodus 23:4, even the law commands kindness toward an enemy’s lost animal. This instruction challenges us to respond to hostility with integrity rather than retaliation. It reminds us that our identity is rooted in obedience to God, not in how we treat those who oppose us.
Ultimately, the biblical narrative shows God fighting for His people against their foes. Passages like Exodus 15:6 celebrate His power to defeat adversaries. This brings comfort, knowing that justice belongs to the Lord. We can rest in the hope that God sees our struggles and acts on our behalf, turning hostility into victory.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 216 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- enemies/ your51×
- enemies/ their30×
- enemies/ my16×
- an enemy16×
- [the] enemy12×
- enemies/ his11×
- enemy/ your8×
- enemies/ its8×
- enemies/ our7×
- [the] enemies of7×
- from/ enemies/ their4×
- from/ enemies/ my4×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אֹֽיְבֵי/הֶ֔ם7×
- אוֹיֵֽב\׃6×
- אֹיְבֵי/הֶ֖ם6×
- אוֹיֵ֖ב5×
- אֹיְבָֽי/ו\׃5×
- אֹיְבֵי/כֶֽם\׃5×
- אֹיְבֵי/כֶ֑ם5×
- אוֹיֵ֑ב4×
- אֹיְבָ֖י/ו4×
- אֹיְבֶ֑י/ךָ4×
- לְ/אוֹיֵ֣ב3×
- אוֹיֵ֔ב3×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 15:6
Your right hand, Yahweh, is glorious in power. Your right hand, Yahweh, dashes the enemy in pieces.
This verse highlights God’s active role in defeating enemies, emphasizing divine protection rather than human strength.
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Exodus 23:4
“If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey going astray, you shall surely bring it back to him again.
Here the term appears in a legal context, showing that ethical conduct toward adversaries is required even in conflict.
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Genesis 22:17
that I will bless you greatly, and I will multiply your offspring greatly like the stars of the heavens, and like the sand which is on the seashore. Your offspring will possess the gate of his enemies.
This promise to Abraham links blessing with victory over enemies, framing opposition as part of God’s larger plan for His people.
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Numbers 10:35
When the ark went forward, Moses said, “Rise up, Yahweh, and let your enemies be scattered! Let those who hate you flee before you!”
Moses’ prayer uses the word to ask God to scatter hostile forces, reflecting a reliance on divine intervention in battle.