עַשְׁתָּרוֹת (ash.te.rah)
ash.te.rah
young
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun ashtherot appears only four times in the Old Testament, primarily within the book of Deuteronomy. Lexical sources generally interpret it as referring to "young" animals, specifically ewes or female sheep. In these contexts, the term highlights the reproductive aspect of a flock, denoting the increase or offspring that contributes to the wealth and sustenance of the household.
While some scholars have debated whether the word strictly means "ewes" or broadly covers "young" livestock, the consensus leans toward its use in agricultural and economic descriptions. It serves as a concrete marker of prosperity and growth in ancient Israelite society, where large flocks were a primary measure of blessing and stability.
Its limited occurrence underscores its specific role in legal and narrative texts concerning property and inheritance. Rather than carrying theological weight, the word grounds biblical accounts in the tangible realities of pastoral life, reminding readers that the covenant promises often included material provision for daily survival.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ashtherot points to the new life within a shepherd’s flock—the young lambs that signal growth and future security. In ancient Israel, these offspring were not just animals; they represented the tangible blessing of God’s provision for daily survival and family stability.
When Scripture speaks of this increase, it reminds us that God cares about the practical details of our lives. He is interested in the fruit of your labor and the new beginnings that bring hope to your household. This focus on material well-being shows that spiritual blessings often flow into the ordinary rhythms of work and family.
Whether you are experiencing seasons of growth or waiting for new opportunities, this word encourages trust in God’s faithful care. It invites us to see His hand in the small, everyday provisions that sustain us, grounding our faith in the reality of His generous provision.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ [the] young ones of4×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/עַשְׁתְּרֹ֣ת2×
- וְ/עַשְׁתְּר֥וֹת2×
Key Verses
-
Deuteronomy 7:13
He will love you, bless you, and multiply you. He will also bless the fruit of your body and the fruit of your ground, your grain and your new wine and your oil, the increase of your livestock and the young of your flock, in the land which he swore to your fathers to give you.
This verse links the young of the flock directly to God's promise to love and bless His people, showing that material increase is part of His covenantal care.
-
Deuteronomy 28:4
You shall be blessed in the fruit of your body, the fruit of your ground, the fruit of your animals, the increase of your livestock, and the young of your flock.
Here, the young of the flock are listed among the specific blessings for obedience, highlighting how God’s favor extends to agricultural and pastoral prosperity.
-
Deuteronomy 28:18
The fruit of your body, the fruit of your ground, the increase of your livestock, and the young of your flock will be cursed.
The absence of these young animals serves as a stark warning of the consequences of disobedience, illustrating how deeply economic stability was tied to spiritual faithfulness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word ashtherot mean?
Why is ashtherot important in Deuteronomy?
How does ashtherot relate to Christian faith today?
Every Occurrence (4 verses across 1 books)
Deuteronomy 4 verses
He will love you, bless you, and multiply you. He will also bless the fruit of your body and the fruit of your ground,…
Deuteronomy 28:4You shall be blessed in the fruit of your body, the fruit of your ground, the fruit of your animals, the increase of…
Deuteronomy 28:18The fruit of your body, the fruit of your ground, the increase of your livestock, and the young of your flock will be…
Deuteronomy 28:51They will eat the fruit of your livestock and the fruit of your ground, until you are destroyed. They also won’t leave…