עַד (ad)
ad
prey
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun ad refers to spoil or plunder taken in war. It describes the goods seized from a defeated enemy, ranging from livestock and wealth to personal possessions. In the Old Testament, this term captures the tangible results of military victory, serving as a concrete symbol of conquest and loss.
This word appears in only two verses, both found in Genesis. It is used to describe the items Abraham recovered after rescuing his nephew Lot from captivity (Genesis 14:16). The text lists the people and the ad together, emphasizing that the rescue involved reclaiming everything the enemy had taken.
Its limited usage highlights a specific historical moment rather than a general concept of theft. Unlike words for robbery or stealing, ad implies lawful seizure under the customs of ancient warfare. It marks the transition from conflict to restitution, showing how victory restored what was lost.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ad points to the tangible results of conflict, specifically the goods taken during war. In Genesis 14:16, Abraham recovers this spoil after rescuing Lot, showing that victory can restore what was lost. This historical detail reminds us that God sees the damage done by injustice and has the power to reverse it.
While we do not face physical battles for material gain today, the principle remains relevant. When life feels like a loss, we can trust that God is able to bring restoration. The recovery of the ad in Genesis illustrates a broader truth: nothing is beyond God's ability to redeem and restore.
This hope encourages us when we face personal setbacks or injustice. We do not need to fight for our own vindication because God handles the details of justice. Our peace comes from knowing that He brings good out of difficult situations, turning loss into restoration in His time.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- booty of1×
- booty1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עַֽד\־1×
- עַ֑ד1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 49:27
“Benjamin is a ravenous wolf. In the morning he will devour the prey. At evening he will divide the plunder.”
Jacob uses this word metaphorically to describe Benjamin's fierce strength, showing how the term can apply to personal vigor rather than just war loot.