אֵמֶר (e.mer)
e.mer
word
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 44 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun emer refers to a specific utterance, word, or saying. It appears almost exclusively in poetic and elevated sections of the Old Testament, such as Psalms, Job, and Proverbs, rather than in narrative prose. This stylistic choice gives the term a weightier, more formal tone than the common word for speech, dabar.
It frequently describes divine communication, appearing in phrases like "the words of God" in Numbers 24:4 or "words of truth" in Proverbs 22:21. The sources also note its use for persuasive or pleasant speech, as in the description of Naphtali in Genesis 49:21, who is said to utter fair words. In these contexts, emer emphasizes the content and authority of what is spoken.
Translators typically render this word simply as "word" or "sayings," reflecting its direct link to the verb amar, meaning to say. Its concentrated presence in wisdom literature highlights how ancient Hebrew thought valued precise, crafted speech as a reflection of divine order and human insight.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word emer carries a sense of weight and precision that goes beyond simple speech. Found largely in poetry and wisdom literature, it describes utterances that have lasting value, whether they come from human insight or divine revelation. When you encounter this term in Scripture, it points to communication that is crafted with care and intended to shape understanding.
In your daily walk, this reminds us that God’s words are not empty sounds but reliable foundations. Psalm 138:4 captures this beautifully, noting that even kings give thanks because they have heard the words of God’s mouth. This suggests that divine communication is something worth listening to deeply, offering stability in a world of shifting opinions.
Similarly, Proverbs encourages us to store up these words in our hearts, treating them as essential nourishment rather than casual conversation. By paying attention to the precise teachings found in Scripture, we align ourselves with wisdom that endures. This focus on meaningful speech invites us to value clarity and truth in our own interactions.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 44 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] words of9×
- words of6×
- words/ my5×
- words/ his4×
- by/ [the] words of3×
- words2×
- to/ [the] words of2×
- from/ [the] utterances of2×
- [who] words/ her2×
- <of> [the] words of2×
- words/ your1×
- words/ her1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אִמְרֵי\־12×
- אֲמָרָ֑/י4×
- לְ/אִמְרֵי\־3×
- בְּ/אִמְרֵי\־3×
- אִמְרֵ֥י3×
- אֲמָרֶ֥י/הָ3×
- מֵֽ/אִמְרֵי\־2×
- אִמְרֵ֣י2×
- אֲמָרָ֣י/ו2×
- מֵ/אִמְרֵי\־1×
- לַ֝/אֲמָרַ֗/י1×
- וּ֝/בְ/אִמְרֵי/כֶ֗ם1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 24:4
he says, who hears the words of God, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down, and having his eyes open:
This verse highlights the authoritative nature of divine communication by linking the hearing of God's words with receiving a vision from the Almighty.
-
Job 23:12
I haven’t gone back from the commandment of his lips. I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
Here the term emphasizes the supreme value Job placed on God's commands, treasuring them more highly than physical sustenance.
-
Psalms 138:4
All the kings of the earth will give you thanks, Yahweh, for they have heard the words of your mouth.
This occurrence shows how the universal impact of God's words inspires gratitude and recognition across all nations and leaders.
-
Proverbs 2:1
My son, if you will receive my words, and store up my commandments within you,
The word is used here to describe instruction that requires active reception and internal storage for discernment.