עֹ֫נֶשׁ (o.nesh)
o.nesh
fine
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 o.nesh refers to a fine, penalty, or indemnity paid for an offense. It appears in only two verses of the Hebrew Bible: Proverbs 17:26 and II Kings 23:35. In these contexts, it denotes a specific monetary amount imposed as punishment, rather than general suffering or abstract justice.
In Proverbs 17:26, the text warns against imposing such a fine on a righteous person, suggesting that financial penalties should not be levied against those who are innocent or upright. This usage highlights o.nesh as a concrete legal consequence, often involving property or money, rather than physical harm. The word is distinct from terms for general punishment or retribution, focusing instead on the compensatory or punitive payment itself.
The Aramaic equivalent, a.nash (H6065), carries a similar sense of confiscation or penalty. While o.nesh is rare in Scripture, its limited appearances underscore the seriousness of unjust financial penalties in ancient Israelite law. The term reminds readers that justice involves not only moral rightness but also fair treatment in legal and economic matters.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word o.nesh describes a specific financial penalty or fine imposed for an offense. It appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, highlighting its role as a concrete legal consequence rather than abstract suffering. In Proverbs 17:26, the text warns against imposing such a fine on a righteous person, underscoring that justice must protect the innocent from unjust economic harm.
This rare term reminds us that fairness in legal and economic matters is vital for a just society. When leaders or systems enforce penalties, they must ensure these are applied equitably. The Bible’s concern for protecting the upright from wrongful fines reflects a deep commitment to integrity and care for the vulnerable.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a fine1×
- [the] penalty1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עֹ֙נֶשׁ֙1×
- עֹ֑נֶשׁ1×