בְּרֵאשִׁית בָּרָא אֱלֹהִים אֵת הַשָּׁמַיִם וְאֵת

[1] הָאָרֶץ׃

רֵאשִׁית S7225 TWOT2097e GK8040 n.f. beginning, chief (for רְאֵשִׁית NöGGA 1884, 1019, cf. HolzHex 465; Syriac ܪܺܝܫܺܝܬܳܐ (rišito));—abs. ר׳ Dt 33:21 +, cstr. ר׳ Gn 10:10 +, רֵשִׁית Dt 11:12; sf. רֵאשִׁיתוֹ Ec 7:8, רֵאשִׁתוֹ Jb 42:12, etc.;— 1. a. beginning, of kingdom Gn 10:10 (J), year Dt 11:12, reign Je 26:1; 27:1; 28:1; 49:34; = first phase, step, or element in course of events Is 46:10 (opp. אַחֲרִית); of a thing (דָּבָר) Ec 7:8 (opp. id.); of sin Mi 1:13, strife Pr 17:14, wisdom ψ 111:10, knowledge Pr 1:7; thy beginning Jb 8:7 = thine early life, so his beginning 42:12 (both opp. אַחֲרִית); ר׳ before cl., בְּר׳ בָּרָא א׳ Gn 1:1 in the beginning when God created (> abs. in the beginning God created); ר׳ אֹנִי 49:3 (poem) beginning (first product) of my manly vigour (|| בְּכֹרִי, כֹּחִי), so Dt 21:17 ψ 78:51 (both || בְּכוֹר), 105:36; cf. ר׳ דַּרְכֵי אֵל Jb 40:19 (of hippopot.), ר׳ דַּרְכּוֹ Pr 8:22 (of wisdom); = first season (of a tree) Ho 9:10; ר׳ גּוֹיִם Nu 24:20 (JE), first, earliest, of nations. b. first of fruits Ex 23:19 (E), 34:26 (JE), Dt 26:2, 10 Ez 44:30a, of harvest Lv 23:10 (H), grain Dt 18:4 2 Ch 31:5, dough Nu 15:20, 21 (P), Ez 44:30b Ne 10:38, wool Dt 18:4; of כָּל־תְּבוּאָחֶ֑ךָ Pr 3:9; Israel is ר׳ תְּבוּאָתֹה Je 2:3 (i.e. of י׳’s increase); ר׳ = 2 Lv 2:12 (P), Nu 18:12 (P), Ne 12:44; ר׳ הָאָרֶץ Ez 48:14. 2. first, chief, Am 6:1; ר׳ גְּבוּרָתָם Je 49:35 (of bows); so appar. ר׳ בְּנֵי עַמּוֹן Dn 11:41, i.e. the principal part of them (Buhl Marti conj. שְׁאֵרִית, after S); ר׳ מַשְׂאוֹתֵיכֶם Ez 20:40, i.e. your chief oblations; ר׳ שְׁמָנִים Am 6:6, i.e. choice oils; = choice part, of land Dt 33:21, offering 1 S 2:29, הַחֵרֶם 15:21; abs. chief thing Pr 4:7 (of wisdom).

[2]

7225 רֵאשִׁית 1) Principio (Gén. 1:1; Sal. 111:10). 2) Primero (Núm. 24:20). 3) Lo mejor: reshít kol minjáh = lo mejor de todas las ofrendas (1 Sam. 2:29). 4) Las primicias (Neh. 12:44). — reshít tevuatóh = primicias de su cosecha (Jer. 2:3). — Var. רֵשִׁית; Suf. רֵאשִׁיתוֹ.

[3]

8040 רֵאשִׁית (rē(ʾ)∙šîṯ): n.fem.; ≡ Str 7225; TWOT 2097e—1. LN 68.1-68.10 what is first, the beginning, i.e., the initiation of an action, process, or state of being (Ps 111:10); 2. LN 67.65-67.72 the beginning, first of time, i.e., a point of time which is the beginning (non prior) in a duration (Ge 1:1); 3. LN 65.20-65.29 best, choice, i.e., that which is superior in value to all others in the same class or kind (Nu 24:20; Dt 33:21); 4. LN 53.16-53.27 firstfruit, i.e., the first portion of something which has been set aside in dedication and offering to God (Ne 12:44; Pr 3:9), note: for focus on the firstfruit as a food, see also domain LN 3.33–3.46

[4]

[re˒šit] comienzo, primicia, lo mejor, (ciudad) principal[5]

7225 רֵאשִׁית [re’shiyth /ray·sheeth/] n f. From the same as 7218; TWOT 2097e; GK 8040; 51 occurrences; AV translates as “beginning” 18 times, “firstfruits” 11 times, “first” nine times, “chief” eight times, and translated miscellaneously five times. 1 first, beginning, best, chief. 1a beginning. 1b first. 1c chief. 1d choice part.

[6]

7225. רֵאשִׁית reshít; de lo mismo que 7218; primero, en lugar, tiempo, orden o rango (espec. primicias):—cabeza, comienzo, primer fruto, mayoría, nuevo, primero, primicia, principal, principio.

[7]

2097f םְ רַאֲשׁוֹת (mĕ ra˒ăšôt) place at the head, head place (e.g. Gen 28:11, 18; I Sam 19:13, 16).

The primary meaning of this root is “head.” It is common to all Semitic languages and appears in its root forms and derivatives nearly 750 times. It is used for the “head” as part of the body (Gen 3:15) and by extension for the notion of “chief” of a family (Ex 6:14), as “chief officer” of the divisions of Israel (Ex 18:25) and the like. The unique Hebraic character of this usage is clear in the ot as the root is rarely applied to chiefs of Gentile nations. It is used also for the top or summit of a geographical feature such as a mountain or hill (Ex 17:9) and the upper part of a building or architectural feature (Gen 11:4; II Chr 3:15) and as a personification for such features (Ps 24:7, 9). The root was utilized in many colloquial expressions for plant names (Job 10:4) parts or portions of things (Gen 2:10) and terms for artifacts. In this last category is the usage of the root for both “head stone” (Zech 4:7) and “chief corner stone” (Ps 118:22). This passage and usage are carried over into the nt and quoted by Jesus concerning his being rejected by the Jews (Mt 21:42; Lk 20:17; Eph 2:20; I Pet 2:7). The root is widely used in the ot with other terms in the sense of the superlative, since Hebrew does not have any simple form to express the third degree. There are many examples of this usage (Ex 30:23) where the meaning is “best,” “foremost,” the uniquely finest, which alone was fit for the service of God. This theological meaning is carried over to the officers of the temple (II Kgs 25:18) and the best musicians (Neh 11:17). In most of the versions there are divergencies in the translation of rō˒š when it is used in the sense of “chief” as for example (Num 31:26) and many similar passages KJV reads “chief,” NIV and RSV read “head” but none are completely consistent. The root appears in many passages in the sense of “sum” or “total” (Prov 8:26) ASV “first” with a footnote which cities the difficulty of the Hebrew. The KJV consistently reads “total,” “sum” in passages dealing with the census of Israel (Ex 30:12; Num 1:2 etc.) and the Aramaic form appears in the unusual sense of the “sum” or “substance” of a dream (Dan 7:1). Although many of the usages of the root can be traced back to Akkadian and ultimately to Sumerian, the reliance on the nation’s “head” as a high officer or chosen personage is developed in Hebrew to much greater degree than the other languages. The theological use of the root to designate divinely appointed offices in the ot is carried over into the nt in such terms as “head of the church” (Eph 5:23), a title ascribed to Christ.

רִאשׁוֹן (ri˒šôn). First, primary (ordinal number). This adjective, a derivative of the same root as rō˒š (q.v.), is cognate to Akkadian rēstu. The word occurs over 180 times in the ot in a very wide variety of connotations and contexts. It is used in three distinct senses and a number of special constructions. The overwhelming number of occurrences are best translated “former,” “first” of two, of time (Gen 25:25); “previous” (Num 21:26); “former men,” “the patriarchs” (Deut 19:14); “former times,” “former events” (Isa 41:22). The next most common usage is in the sense of “first,” as in “first” of mankind (Job 15:7); “first” day of a ritual (Deut 16:4); “first” to fall in battle (I Sam 14:14); “first” as “briefest” (Ezr 9:6). The third most common usage is in the sense of “before,” “formerly” in time (Gen 28:19; Deut 13:10). There are other more specialized usages, “first in command” (II Kgs 20:17); “set out first” (Num 10:14); “to prepare first” (I Kgs 18:25). Since the Hebrew orthography at least in later days admitted no easy numerical notation, all ordinals are spelled out and vocalized in the MT. However, there is some scant evidence that there was a notational system for both cardinal and ordinal numbers in use in antiquity.

רֵאשִׁית (rē˒šı̂t). First, beginning, choicest, first/best of a group. A feminine noun derived from the root rō˒š, it appears fifty times in nearly all parts of the ot. The primary meaning is “first” or “beginning” of a series. This term may refer to the initiation of a series of historical events (Gen 10:10; Jer 26:1) but it also refers to a foundational or necessary condition as the reverence or fear of God (Ps 111:10; Prov 1:7) and the initiation, as opposed to the results, of a life (Job 8:7; 42:12). It is used frequently in the special sense of the choicest or best of a group or class of things, particularly in reference to items to be set aside for God’s service or sacrifice. The “first fruits” (Lev 2:12; 23:10; Neh 12:44) and “choicest” (Num 18:12) fruits are so distinguished. Difficult usages of the term occur in several passages. In Deut 33:21 the KJV reads “first part” which is followed by JPS, however the RSV, “best of the land” is preferred. In Dan 11:41 the KJV reads “chief of the children of Ammon,” but RSV reads “main part of the Ammo-nites,” the more probable reading is “best of the Ammonites.” The most important use of rē˒šı̂t in the ot occurs in Gen 1:1 where it is combined with the proclitic preposition b (q.v.). There has been a great deal of debate over this use of rē˒šı̂t. Many commentators both ancient and modern have tried to read the phrase as “when-” rather than “in the beginning” as do several modern versions. The chief modern justification for this interpretation of the root is to relate it to the phrase “enūma eliš” which begins the Babylonian epic of creation. However there is no evidence to connect the two different terms, the one in Hebrew and the other in Babylonian (see White, W., “Enuma Elish,” in ZPEB, II, p. 314). The proper interpretation of rē˒šı̂t can be deduced from the other occurrences and the witness of all ancient versions. The nt (Jn 1:1) translates the Hebrew and follows the LXX precisely in its reading of (Gen 1:1) the first phrase of the ot. The use of this root leaves no doubt that Gen 1:1 opens with the very first and initial act of the creation of the cosmos.

Bibliography: Bartlett, J. R., “The Use of the Word רֹאשׁ as a Title in the Old Testament,” VT 19:1–10, THAT, II, pp. 701–14.

[8]

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[1]The Hebrew Bible : Andersen-Forbes Analyzed Text; Bible. O.T. Hebrew. Andersen-Forbes. 2006; 2006 (Gn 1.1). Logos Bible Software.

S Strong’s Concordance

TWOT Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament.

GK Goodrick/Kohlenberger numbering system of the NIV Exhaustive Condordance.

n. nomen, noun.

f. feminine, feminae.

Nö T. Nöldeke.

GGA Göttingsche Gelehrte Anzeigen.

cf. confer, compare.

Holz H. Holzinger.

Hex Hexatuch.

abs. absolute.

+ plus, denotes often that other passages, etc., might be cited. So also where the forms of verbs, nouns, and adjectives are illustrated by citations, near the beginning of articles; while ‘etc.’ in such connexions commonly indicates that other forms of the word occur, which it has not been thought worth while to cite.

cstr. construct.

sf. suffix, or with suffix.

J Jehovist.

= equivalent, equals.

opp. opposite, as opposed to, or contrasted with.

> indicates that the preceding is to be preferred to the following.

|| parallel, of words (synonymous or contrasted); also of passages; sometimes = ‘see parallel,’ or ‘see also parallel.’

E Elohist.

H Code of Holiness.

P Priests’ Code or Narrative.

Buhl Frants Buhl, esp. as editor of eds.12-14 of Gesenius’s Handwörterbuch über das A. T.;

Marti K. Marti.

conj. conjecture(s); also conjection.

S Syriac Version.

[2]Brown, F., Driver, S. R., & Briggs, C. A. (2000). Enhanced Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon. Strong's, TWOT, and GK references Copyright 2000 by Logos Research Systems, Inc. (electronic ed.) (912). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems.

Var. Variante textual.

Suf. Sufijo.

[3]Chávez, M. (1992). Diccionario de hebreo bı́blico. Includes index. (1. ed.) (627). El Paso, Tx.: Editorial Mundo Hispano.

n. noun, or nouns

fem. feminine

Str Strong’s Lexicon

TWOT Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament

LN Louw-Nida Greek-English Lexicon

[4]Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (electronic ed.) (DBLH 8040, #4). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

[5]Ortiz, P., V., S.J. (2000). Lexico Hebreo-Espanol y Arameo-Espanol (electronic ed.). Miami: Sociedades Biblicas Unidas.

n n: noun

f f: feminine

TWOT Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament

GK Goodrick-Kohlenberger

AV Authorized Version

[6]Strong, J. (1996). The exhaustive concordance of the Bible : Showing every word of the text of the common English version of the canonical books, and every occurrence of each word in regular order. (electronic ed.) (H7225). Ontario: Woodside Bible Fellowship.

espec. específico
específicamente

[7]Strong, J. (2002). Nueva concordancia Strong exhaustiva: Diccionario (121). Nashville, TN: Caribe.

KJV King James Version of the Bible

NIV New International Version of the Bible

RSV Revised Standard Version of the Bible

ASV American Standard Version of the Bible

MT The Masoretic Text of the Hebrew Bible

ZPEB Pictoral Encyclopedia of the Bible, ed. M. Tenney, Zondervan, I–V, 1975

LXX The Septuagint Version of the Old Testament in Greek

VT Vetus Testamentum (Supplements, Supp VT)

THAT E. Jenni u. C. Westermann, Theologisches handbuch zum Alten Testament

[8]Harris, R. L., Harris, R. L., Archer, G. L., & Waltke, B. K. (1999, c1980). Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (electronic ed.) (825). Chicago: Moody Press.