עַשְׁתֵּי (ash.te)
ash.te
eleven
H:NQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 15 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N
Word Overview
The Hebrew word ash.te is the standard term for the number eleven. It functions as a cardinal number, appearing fifteen times in the Old Testament to count people, years, or objects. The text shows it occurring most frequently in I Chronicles and Exodus, where it helps record genealogies, census data, and historical timelines.
Its structure is straightforward: it combines the word for "one" (echad) with the suffix for "ten" (asar). This formation follows a consistent pattern in Hebrew for numbers from eleven to nineteen. Unlike some other languages that might have unique roots for each digit, Hebrew builds these higher numbers logically by adding one to ten.
While eleven is often associated with incompleteness or transition in later symbolism, the biblical usage here is purely numerical. It serves as a precise marker in records, such as listing the number of sons born to specific patriarchs or counting years in a king’s reign. The word carries no inherent theological weight beyond its mathematical value.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word for eleven appears fifteen times in the Old Testament, serving as a precise marker for time and quantity. It is formed by combining the words for ten and one, reflecting a logical structure in the language. You will find it recording the reign of King Zedekiah or counting the curtains for the tabernacle. These uses are straightforward and numerical, helping us track history and worship details without hidden symbolism.
While later traditions sometimes associate eleven with incompleteness, the biblical text here simply counts what is there. Whether listing sons in a genealogy or noting the months of a king's rule, the word grounds our reading in concrete reality. It reminds us that God cares about the specific details of our lives and history.
When you encounter this number in Scripture, it invites you to look at the facts as they are presented. There is no need to search for secret meanings where none are intended. Instead, let these precise records anchor your faith in a God who keeps accurate account of time and people.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 15 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- one [plus]8×
- of/ one [plus]1×
- in/ one [plus]1×
- in/ [the] one [plus]1×
- for/ [the] one [plus]1×
- [will belong] to/ one [plus]1×
- [was] one [plus]1×
- [the] one [plus]1×
- [belonged] to/ one [plus]1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עַשְׁתֵּ֣י5×
- עַשְׁתֵּֽי\־3×
- עַשְׁתֵּי\־2×
- לְ/עַשְׁתֵּ֥י2×
- בְּ/עַשְׁתֵּֽי\־2×
- לְ/עַשְׁתֵּֽי\־1×
- לְ/עַשְׁתֵּ֣י\־1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 26:7
“You shall make curtains of goats’ hair for a covering over the tabernacle. You shall make eleven curtains.
This verse specifies the exact count of goat hair curtains needed for the tabernacle covering, showing how the number functions in worship instructions.
-
II Kings 25:2
So the city was besieged until the eleventh year of King Zedekiah.
Here the word marks the duration of Jerusalem's siege under King Zedekiah, anchoring a major historical event to a specific point in time.
-
I Chronicles 24:12
the eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim,
The term identifies Eliashib's position in the sequence of priestly divisions, illustrating its use in organizing religious service roles.
-
Jeremiah 39:2
In the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month, a breach was made in the city.
This occurrence pinpoints the exact day a breach was made in the city walls, providing a precise date for a critical moment in Judah's fall.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word ash.te mean?
Does eleven have a special spiritual meaning in the Bible?
Where does this word appear most often?
Every Occurrence (15 verses across 7 books)
Exodus 4 verses
“You shall make curtains of goats’ hair for a covering over the tabernacle. You shall make eleven curtains.
Exodus 26:8The length of each curtain shall be thirty cubits, and the width of each curtain four cubits: the eleven curtains shall…
Exodus 36:14He made curtains of goats’ hair for a covering over the tabernacle. He made them eleven curtains.
Exodus 36:15The length of each curtain was thirty cubits, and four cubits the width of each curtain. The eleven curtains had one…