רִאשׁוֹן (ri.shon)
ri.shon
first
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 160 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew word ri’shôn means first, primary, or former, and it applies to time, place, or rank. It describes what comes before in a sequence, such as the first day of a month (Exodus 12:18), or who holds the highest status, like the foremost prince (1 Chronicles 18:17). The term captures both chronological priority and positional importance.
Its root relates to the head or chief, emphasizing that being "first" involves leading or preceding. In Scripture, it often refers to ancestors or former events, as when prophets speak of things done in the past (Isaiah 43:18). Translators usually render it simply as "first," though context determines whether it points to early timing, superior rank, or prior existence.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word ri’shôn simply means first, but it carries a weight that goes beyond mere timing. It points to what comes before in sequence, whether that is the first day of creation or the initial covenant God made with Abraham. When Scripture speaks of the former things, it invites us to remember how God has acted in the past. These memories are not just historical records; they are foundations for our present trust.
This word also highlights priority and rank. In ancient contexts, being first meant holding a position of leadership or privilege. For believers, this reminds us that Christ is the beginning and the end, the one who holds the primary place in our lives. We look back to His faithfulness in history and forward to His promised return, anchored in the certainty that He remains the foremost authority over all things.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 160 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- <the>/ first47×
- <the>/ former38×
- first9×
- at the/ first8×
- at the/ former [time]7×
- as/ at the/ former [time]5×
- the/ former [things]4×
- the/ first4×
- like the/ former [tablets]4×
- in the/ first [month]4×
- former4×
- the/ former3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הָ/רִאשֹׁנִ֖ים12×
- הָ/רִאשׁ֖וֹן8×
- הָ/רִאשׁ֑וֹן8×
- הָ/רִאשׁ֗וֹן7×
- הָֽ/רִאשׁ֔וֹן6×
- הָ/רִאשֽׁוֹן\׃6×
- הָ/רִאשׁ֔וֹן6×
- הָ/רִ֣אשֹׁנִ֔ים5×
- הָ/רִאשׁוֹן֙4×
- הָֽ/רִאשׁוֹן֙3×
- הָ/רִאשֹׁנִים֙3×
- בָּ/רִאשֹׁנָ֑ה3×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 8:13
In the six hundred first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from the earth. Noah removed the covering of the ship, and looked. He saw that the surface of the ground was dry.
This verse marks a critical turning point where the floodwaters recede, showing God's faithfulness in restoring order after judgment.
-
Exodus 12:2
“This month shall be to you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year to you.
God redefines the calendar by making this month the beginning, establishing a new era of redemption for Israel.
-
Exodus 34:1
Yahweh said to Moses, “Chisel two stone tablets like the first. I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke.
The command to chisel tablets like the first underscores God's grace in renewing the covenant after its breaking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word ri’shôn mean?
How is ri’shôn different from other words for first?
Where does this word appear most often?
Every Occurrence (160 verses across 28 books)
Genesis 9 verses
In the six hundred first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from the earth.…
Genesis 13:4to the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first. There Abram called on Yahweh’s name.
Genesis 25:25The first came out red all over, like a hairy garment. They named him Esau.
Genesis 26:1There was a famine in the land, in addition to the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. Isaac went to…
Genesis 28:19He called the name of that place Bethel, but the name of the city was Luz at the first.
Genesis 33:2He put the servants and their children in front, Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph at the rear.
Genesis 38:28When she travailed, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, “This came…
Genesis 40:13Within three more days, Pharaoh will lift up your head, and restore you to your office. You will give Pharaoh’s cup…
Genesis 41:20The thin and ugly cattle ate up the first seven fat cattle;