עֵ֫קֶר (e.qer)
e.qer
descendant
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun e.qer refers to a descendant, member, or offshoot of a family line. Its meaning is closely tied to the idea of growth from a source, similar to how a branch extends from a root. The Aramaic equivalent iq.qar explicitly means "root," suggesting that this Hebrew word carries the sense of being a living extension of an ancestor’s lineage.
This term appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Leviticus 25:47. In that context, it describes a relative who might sell themselves into servitude due to poverty. The usage highlights the legal and social reality of family membership, where one's identity and obligations were deeply bound to their ancestral house. It is not merely a biological term but a social one, defining standing within the community.
The word’s rarity makes its single occurrence significant. By linking an individual directly to their "root" or kin, it underscores the importance of family continuity in ancient Israelite society. The connection to the concept of a root emphasizes that descendants are not isolated entities but vital parts of a larger, enduring whole.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word e.qer reminds us that we are never truly isolated individuals. It describes a descendant as an offshoot growing from a family root, emphasizing that our identity is deeply tied to those who came before us and those who follow. In ancient Israel, this connection carried legal weight and social responsibility, binding people together in mutual care.
When Leviticus uses this term, it highlights how even in times of severe poverty, one’s belonging to a lineage remained central. This offers a gentle perspective on community today: your history and relationships matter. You are part of a larger story, supported by the enduring strength of your roots and called to support others within that same family line.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to/ a member of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לְ/עֵ֖קֶר1×
Key Verses
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Leviticus 25:47
“‘If an alien or temporary resident with you becomes rich, and your brother beside him has grown poor, and sells himself to the stranger or foreigner living among you, or to a member of the stranger’s family,
This verse uses e.qer to define a relative within a foreign household, showing how lineage determined social standing and legal obligations even in displacement.