The Hebrew verb אָמַר is one of the most common and essential verbs in the Hebrew Bible, occurring over 5,000 times. It means “to say,” “to speak,” or “to declare,” and is typically used in the Qal binyan. It is used both for divine speech (e.g., “And God said…”) and human speech, making it a core tool for conveying direct discourse and communication.
This verb appears in nearly every genre of biblical literature—narrative, poetry, prophecy, and law. Because of its high frequency, mastering its forms is vital for reading and understanding Hebrew texts fluently.
Qal Binyan Conjugation of אָמַר
Past (Perfect) Tense
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 1st person singular | אָמַרְתִּי |
| 2nd person masculine singular | אָמַרְתָּ |
| 2nd person feminine singular | אָמַרְתְּ |
| 3rd person masculine singular | אָמַר |
| 3rd person feminine singular | אָמְרָה |
| 1st person plural | אָמַרְנוּ |
| 2nd person masculine plural | אֲמַרְתֶּם |
| 2nd person feminine plural | אֲמַרְתֶּן |
| 3rd person plural | אָמְרוּ |
Present (Participle) Tense
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| Masculine singular | אֹמֵר |
| Feminine singular | אֹמֶרֶת |
| Masculine plural | אֹמְרִים |
| Feminine plural | אֹמְרוֹת |
Future (Imperfect) Tense
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 1st person singular | אֹמַר |
| 2nd person masculine singular | תֹּאמַר |
| 2nd person feminine singular | תֹּאמְרִי |
| 3rd person masculine singular | יֹאמַר |
| 3rd person feminine singular | תֹּאמַר |
| 1st person plural | נֹאמַר |
| 2nd person masculine plural | תֹּאמְרוּ |
| 2nd person feminine plural | תֹּאמַרְנָה |
| 3rd person plural | יֹאמְרוּ |
Imperative Mood
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 2nd person masculine singular | אֱמֹר |
| 2nd person feminine singular | אִמְרִי |
| 2nd person masculine plural | אִמְרוּ |
| 2nd person feminine plural | אֱמֹרְנָה |
Usage in Scripture
The verb אָמַר is central to almost every biblical narrative and divine-human interaction. Here are just a few well-known examples:
- Genesis 1:3 – וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים יְהִי אוֹר
“And God said, ‘Let there be light.’” - Exodus 3:14 – וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים אֶל־מֹשֶׁה
“And God said to Moshe…” - Ruth 1:16 – וַתֹּאמֶר רוּת
“And Ruth said…” – initiating one of the most moving speeches in biblical literature.
Summary
The verb אָמַר is the heartbeat of speech in the Hebrew Bible. It appears in divine declarations, human dialogue, poetic expressions, and legal codes. Because it is so prevalent, fluency in its forms across tenses and persons is essential for biblical Hebrew proficiency. Whether God is creating, promising, or commanding—or a prophet or king is speaking—the word אָמַר stands at the core of communication in Scripture.
