אֲשׁוּר (a.shur)
a.shur
step
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 7 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun ašûr refers to a step or the act of walking. It appears seven times in the Old Testament, primarily within the wisdom literature of Psalms, Proverbs, and Job. The word captures the physical movement of taking a stride, but it often carries a sense of direction or progress in life.
Its usage frequently highlights the stability or instability of a person’s path. For instance, Psalm 121:3 uses it to describe God keeping someone from stumbling, while Proverbs 4:12 employs it to illustrate how the righteous walk without tripping. The term suggests that one’s steps are not random but are guided by moral and divine order.
Translators typically render ašûr as "step," "going," or "path." This simple noun underscores the biblical theme that daily actions reflect deeper spiritual realities. The word reminds readers that life is a journey marked by specific movements, each one significant in the eyes of God.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Life often feels like a series of uncertain movements, where we worry about losing our footing or making the wrong turn. The Hebrew word for 'step' reminds us that our daily actions are not random accidents but part of a meaningful path. When Scripture speaks of God keeping our steps from sliding, it offers comfort that our stability does not depend solely on our own strength.
This perspective brings peace to those navigating difficult seasons. It invites us to trust that the One who created the world also watches over the small, ordinary movements of our lives. Whether we are walking in clarity or facing confusion, our steps matter because they are held within a larger, divine order. We can rest in the assurance that our journey is seen and sustained.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 7 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- steps/ my2×
- steps/ our1×
- steps/ his1×
- step/ my1×
- on/ step/ his1×
- <to>/ step/ his1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לַ/אֲשֻׁרֽ/וֹ\׃1×
- בַּ֭/אֲשֻׁר/וֹ1×
- אַשֻּׁרִ/י֮1×
- אַ֭שֻּׁרֵי/נוּ1×
- אֲשֻׁרָי/ו\׃1×
- אֲשֻׁרָֽ/י\׃1×
- אֲ֭שֻׁרַ/י1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 17:5
My steps have held fast to your paths. My feet have not slipped.
This verse connects personal stability directly to obedience, showing that holding fast to divine paths prevents slipping.
-
Psalms 37:31
The law of his God is in his heart. None of his steps shall slide.
Here the internal presence of God's law is linked to external stability, ensuring that righteous steps do not slide.
-
Job 23:11
My foot has held fast to his steps. I have kept his way, and not turned away.
Job uses this word to describe his determined commitment to follow God’s way without deviation despite his suffering.