עָנַשׁ (a.nash)
a.nash
to fine
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 8 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb anash carries the specific sense of imposing a financial penalty or fine for a wrongdoing. It appears eight times in the Old Testament, with notable occurrences in Exodus 22:9 and several Proverbs. In these contexts, the word describes the legal act of condemning someone to pay a set amount as restitution or punishment, rather than inflicting physical harm.
Its usage highlights the ancient Israelite focus on restorative justice through monetary compensation. For instance, in Exodus, it governs disputes where property is lost or damaged, requiring the guilty party to make amends financially. The Proverbs use it to illustrate the consequences of foolish behavior, often linking moral failure with tangible economic loss.
This term distinguishes legal liability from corporal punishment. It underscores a system where wrongs were settled by value and restitution, reflecting a societal structure that prioritized compensation for the victim over retribution against the offender.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word anash describes a specific kind of justice: imposing a financial penalty for a wrong. It appears in contexts where property is damaged or reputations are harmed, requiring the offender to pay restitution rather than face physical punishment. This reflects a system focused on restoring what was lost to the victim, ensuring that harm is addressed through tangible compensation.
In Proverbs, this concept extends beyond legal courts into daily life. The wise understand that foolish actions carry real costs, often measured in loss or shame. Recognizing these consequences helps us navigate relationships with care. We see that integrity protects us from unnecessary burdens, while deceit leads to penalties we must bear.
For your faith, this reminds us that our choices have weight. Whether in legal disputes or personal interactions, seeking fairness and restitution honors the order God established. It invites us to value peace and restoration over revenge, trusting that justice can be served without destroying relationships.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 8 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- when/ punish1×
- to impose a fine1×
- they are punished1×
- he will be fined1×
- fines1×
- certainly <to fine>1×
- and/ they will fine1×
- and/ they are punished1×
- and/ he imposed a fine on1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עָנ֣וֹשׁ1×
- עֲנוּשִׁים֙1×
- עֲנ֣וֹשׁ1×
- נֶעֱנָֽשׁוּ\׃1×
- יֵעָנֵ֗שׁ1×
- וַֽ/יַּעֲנֹשׁ֙1×
- וְֽ/נֶעֱנָֽשׁוּ\׃1×
- וְ/עָנְשׁ֨וּ1×
- בַּ/עְנָשׁ\־1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 21:22
“If men fight and hurt a pregnant woman so that she gives birth prematurely, and yet no harm follows, he shall be surely fined as much as the woman’s husband demands and the judges allow.
This verse establishes the legal principle that even accidental harm during a fight requires financial restitution determined by judges, highlighting the value placed on life and order.
-
Deuteronomy 22:19
They shall fine him one hundred shekels of silver, and give them to the father of the young lady, because he has given a bad name to a virgin of Israel. She shall be his wife. He may not put her away all his days.
Here the fine serves as both punishment for slander and protection for the woman’s reputation, showing how monetary penalties can restore social standing.
-
Amos 2:8
They lay themselves down beside every altar on clothes taken in pledge. In the house of their God they drink the wine of those who have been fined.
The prophet uses this term to condemn corrupt officials who exploit the poor by keeping clothes taken in pledge from those fined, linking economic injustice with spiritual rebellion.