עֶ֫צֶם (e.tsem)
e.tsem
bone
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 80 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew word etsem literally means bone, but it carries a deeper sense of substance or self. Derived from a root meaning to be strong or hard, it refers to the physical skeleton that gives the body its structure. In Genesis 2:23, Adam calls Eve “bone of my bones,” using the term to express an essential, unbreakable kinship rather than just biological relation.
Beyond anatomy, etsem frequently serves as an intensifier for identity or time. Phrases like “in this very day” appear in Genesis 17 and Exodus 12, where the word emphasizes that something happened on that exact occasion. It can also denote the inner self or core character, as seen in Job 21:23, where a person’s uprightness is described as their very substance.
The term appears often in contexts of mourning and judgment. Prophets like Jeremiah describe people whose bones are scattered or wasted away (Jeremiah 8:1), painting a picture of total vulnerability. Conversely, Ezekiel uses the image of dry bones coming together to symbolize national restoration, showing how the word bridges physical decay and spiritual hope.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word etsem literally means bone, but it carries a deeper sense of substance or self. Derived from a root meaning to be strong or hard, it refers to the physical skeleton that gives the body its structure. In Genesis 2:23, Adam calls Eve “bone of my bones,” using the term to express an essential, unbreakable kinship rather than just biological relation.
Beyond anatomy, etsem frequently serves as an intensifier for identity or time. Phrases like “in this very day” appear in Genesis 17 and Exodus 12, where the word emphasizes that something happened on that exact occasion. It can also denote the inner self or core character, as seen in Job 21:23, where a person’s uprightness is described as their very substance.
The term appears often in contexts of mourning and judgment. Prophets like Jeremiah describe people whose bones are scattered or wasted away (Jeremiah 8:1), painting a picture of total vulnerability. Conversely, Ezekiel uses the image of dry bones coming together to symbolize national restoration, showing how the word bridges physical decay and spiritual hope.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 80 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] bones of15×
- on/ [the] substance of12×
- bones/ my10×
- bones/ his7×
- bones/ their4×
- in/ bones/ my3×
- in/ bones/ his2×
- bones of2×
- bones2×
- and/ bones/ your2×
- and/ a bone2×
- [the] substance of2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עַצְמ֥וֹת5×
- עַצְמ֣וֹת5×
- בְּ/עֶ֖צֶם5×
- בְּ/עֶ֙צֶם֙4×
- עַצְמוֹת\־2×
- עַצְמֹתָ֔י/ו2×
- עַצְמְ/ךָ֥2×
- עַצְמ֖וֹת2×
- עֶ֙צֶם֙2×
- וְ/עֶ֖צֶם2×
- עָֽצֶם\׃1×
- עַצְמוֹתָֽ/ם\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 2:23
The man said, “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh. She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken out of Man.”
This verse establishes etsem as a metaphor for essential kinship and identity, not just physical anatomy.
-
Exodus 12:46
It must be eaten in one house. You shall not carry any of the meat outside of the house. Do not break any of its bones.
The prohibition against breaking the Passover lamb's bones points to typological preservation of innocence.
-
Genesis 50:25
Joseph took an oath from the children of Israel, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.”
Joseph’s request links his physical remains to the future hope of God's faithful visitation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word etsem mean?
How is etsem used in the context of time?
Why were the bones of the Passover lamb significant?
Every Occurrence (80 verses across 23 books)
Genesis 6 verses
The man said, “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh. She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken…
Genesis 7:13In the same day Noah, and Shem, Ham, and Japheth—the sons of Noah—and Noah’s wife and the three wives of his sons with…
Genesis 17:23Abraham took Ishmael his son, all who were born in his house, and all who were bought with his money: every male among…
Genesis 17:26In the same day both Abraham and Ishmael, his son, were circumcised.
Genesis 29:14Laban said to him, “Surely you are my bone and my flesh.” Jacob stayed with him for a month.
Genesis 50:25Joseph took an oath from the children of Israel, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones…