מִצְרִי (mits.ri)
mits.ri
Egyptian
N:N--LGQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 60 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--LG
Word Overview
The Hebrew word mitsri identifies someone or something as Egyptian, serving as the gentilic adjective derived from Mizrayim, the name for Egypt. It appears sixty times in the Old Testament, functioning primarily to distinguish people, objects, or customs belonging to that specific nation. The term is not merely geographic; it carries cultural weight, marking a clear boundary between Israel and its powerful neighbor.
Its usage often highlights social separation or tension. In Genesis 43:32, the text notes that Egyptians do not eat with Hebrews, illustrating a deep-seated cultural divide. Similarly, Deuteronomy 23:7 forbids Ammonites and Moabites from entering the assembly, yet explicitly excludes mitsriim, reflecting Israel’s historical struggle with Egyptian influence and oppression.
Translators consistently render this word as "Egyptian" or "of Egypt," maintaining its straightforward descriptive role. The sources emphasize that while Mizrayim refers to the land itself, mitsri points directly to the inhabitants or their distinct identity. This distinction helps readers understand the specific ethnic and political dynamics at play in narratives like Joseph’s time in Genesis 39 or the Exodus events.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word mitsri identifies someone or something as Egyptian, marking a clear boundary between Israel and its powerful neighbor. It is not merely geographic; it carries cultural weight, highlighting social separation or tension. In Genesis 43:32, the text notes that Egyptians do not eat with Hebrews, illustrating a deep-seated divide.
This distinction helps readers understand the specific ethnic and political dynamics at play in narratives like Joseph’s time in Genesis 39 or the Exodus events. While Mizrayim refers to the land itself, mitsri points directly to the inhabitants or their distinct identity. Translators consistently render this word as "Egyptian" or "of Egypt," maintaining its straightforward descriptive role.
Understanding this term invites us to see how God works through complex human relationships and cultural differences. It reminds us that our faith journey often intersects with diverse backgrounds, calling us to recognize the shared humanity in every person we meet.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 60 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Egypt37×
- the/ Egyptian11×
- Egyptian8×
- the/ Egyptians5×
- <the>/ Egyptian2×
- to/ Egypt1×
- the/ Egyptian[s]1×
- and/ for the/ Egyptians1×
- and/ Egypt1×
- an Egyptian1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מִצְרַ֔יִם9×
- מִצְרַ֖יִם6×
- מִצְרַ֙יִם֙5×
- מִצְרָֽיִם\׃4×
- מִצְרָ֑יִם4×
- מִצְרִ֔י4×
- מִצְרַ֜יִם3×
- הַ/מִּצְרִ֔י3×
- מִצְרַ֛יִם2×
- הַ/מִּצְרִ֛ית2×
- הַ/מִּצְרִ֗ים2×
- הַ/מִּצְרִ֖י2×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 43:32
They served him by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because the Egyptians don’t eat with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians.
This verse highlights a cultural boundary where Egyptians refused to share meals with Hebrews, showing how mitsri marks distinct social identities.
-
Genesis 16:1
Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, bore him no children. She had a servant, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.
Hagar is identified as an Egyptian servant, using the term to specify her national origin within Abram's household.
-
Exodus 2:11
In those days, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his brothers and saw their burdens. He saw an Egyptian striking a Hebrew, one of his brothers.
Moses sees an Egyptian striking a Hebrew, using the word to identify the oppressor’s nationality in this moment of injustice.
-
Genesis 39:2
Yahweh was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man. He was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
Joseph is described as being in the house of his master the Egyptian, distinguishing Potiphar by his national identity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does mitsri mean?
How is mitsri different from Mizrayim?
Where does this word appear in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (60 verses across 11 books)
Genesis 16 verses
It will happen that when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ They will kill me, but they will…
Genesis 12:14When Abram had come into Egypt, some Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful.
Genesis 16:1Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, bore him no children. She had a servant, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.
Genesis 16:3Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar the Egyptian, her servant, after Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, and…
Genesis 21:9Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, mocking.
Genesis 25:12Now this is the history of the generations of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s servant, bore to…
Genesis 39:1Joseph was brought down to Egypt. Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’s, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him…
Genesis 39:2Yahweh was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man. He was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
Genesis 39:5From the time that he made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, Yahweh blessed the Egyptian’s house for…
Genesis 41:55When all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread, and Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians,…
Genesis 43:32They served him by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because the…
Genesis 45:2He wept aloud. The Egyptians heard, and the house of Pharaoh heard.
Genesis 46:34that you shall say, ‘Your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth even until now, both we, and our…
Genesis 47:15When the money was all spent in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came to Joseph, and…
Genesis 47:20So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh, for every man of the Egyptians sold his field, because the famine…
Genesis 50:3Forty days were used for him, for that is how many days it takes to embalm. The Egyptians wept for Israel for seventy…