Quick Answer: Hebrew Numbers 1-10
Hebrew Numbers:
1: אֶחָד (echad) - eh-KHAD
2: שְׁנַיִם (shnayim) - shnah-YEEM
3: שְׁלוֹשָׁה (shlosha) - shloh-SHAH
4: אַרְבָּעָה (arba'ah) - ahr-bah-AH
5: חֲמִשָּׁה (chamisha) - khah-mee-SHAH
6: שִׁשָּׁה (shisha) - shee-SHAH
7: שִׁבְעָה (shiv'ah) - shiv-AH
8: שְׁמוֹנָה (shmonah) - shmoh-NAH
9: תִּשְׁעָה (tish'ah) - tish-AH
10: עֲשָׂרָה (asara) - ah-sah-RAH
Note: These are the masculine forms. Feminine forms differ for numbers 2-10.
Introduction to Hebrew Numbers
Hebrew numbers have both masculine and feminine forms, and they're used differently than English numbers. Understanding Hebrew numbers is essential for reading dates, counting, and understanding biblical references.
Key Insight: In Hebrew, numbers must agree in gender with the nouns they modify. Masculine nouns take masculine numbers, and feminine nouns take feminine numbers. The number 1 (echad) is the same for both genders, but numbers 2-10 have different forms. Also, Hebrew numbers are written from right to left, just like Hebrew text.
Hebrew Numbers 1-10: Complete List
Here are all Hebrew numbers 1-10 with pronunciation and both forms:
| Number | Hebrew (Masculine) | Transliteration | Pronunciation | Hebrew (Feminine) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | אֶחָד | echad | eh-KHAD | אַחַת |
| 2 | שְׁנַיִם | shnayim | shnah-YEEM | שְׁתַּיִם |
| 3 | שְׁלוֹשָׁה | shlosha | shloh-SHAH | שָׁלוֹשׁ |
| 4 | אַרְבָּעָה | arba'ah | ahr-bah-AH | אַרְבַּע |
| 5 | חֲמִשָּׁה | chamisha | khah-mee-SHAH | חָמֵשׁ |
| 6 | שִׁשָּׁה | shisha | shee-SHAH | שֵׁשׁ |
| 7 | שִׁבְעָה | shiv'ah | shiv-AH | שֶׁבַע |
| 8 | שְׁמוֹנָה | shmonah | shmoh-NAH | שְׁמוֹנֶה |
| 9 | תִּשְׁעָה | tish'ah | tish-AH | תֵּשַׁע |
| 10 | עֲשָׂרָה | asara | ah-sah-RAH | עֶשֶׂר |
Masculine vs. Feminine Forms
Hebrew numbers must agree in gender with the nouns they modify. Here's how it works:
Masculine Numbers
Use masculine numbers with masculine nouns:
Three books: שְׁלוֹשָׁה סְפָרִים (shlosha sefarim)
Five men: חֲמִשָּׁה אֲנָשִׁים (chamisha anashim)
Note: "Sefarim" (books) and "anashim" (men) are masculine nouns, so they use masculine numbers.
Feminine Numbers
Use feminine numbers with feminine nouns:
Three days: שָׁלוֹשׁ יָמִים (shalosh yamim)
Five years: חָמֵשׁ שָׁנִים (chamesh shanim)
Note: "Yamim" (days) and "shanim" (years) are feminine nouns, so they use feminine numbers.
Biblical Significance of Numbers
Numbers in the Bible often carry symbolic meaning. Here are some significant numbers 1-10:
1 (אֶחָד) - Unity and Oneness
שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ יְהוָה אֶחָד
Shema Yisrael Adonai Eloheinu Adonai echad
"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one" (Deuteronomy 6:4)
The number 1 (echad) emphasizes unity and oneness, especially God's oneness.
7 (שִׁבְעָה) - Completeness and Perfection
וַיְכַל אֱלֹהִים בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי
Vayechal Elohim bayom hashvi'i
"And God finished on the seventh day" (Genesis 2:2)
The number 7 (sheva) represents completeness, perfection, and divine completion throughout Scripture.
10 (עֲשָׂרָה) - Completeness and Law
עֲשֶׂרֶת הַדְּבָרִים
Aseret hadvarim
"The Ten Commandments" (literally "the ten words")
The number 10 (eser) represents completeness and is associated with the Ten Commandments and other complete sets in Scripture.
Practical Tips for Learning Hebrew Numbers
How to Practice
- Memorize 1-10: Start with the masculine forms, then learn the feminine forms
- Practice pronunciation: Say each number aloud, emphasizing the stressed syllable
- Learn gender agreement: Practice matching numbers with masculine and feminine nouns
- Study biblical usage: Look up verses containing numbers to see them in context
How to Use Hebrew Numbers
Here are examples of how numbers are used in Hebrew:
Counting Objects
One book: סֵפֶר אֶחָד (sefer echad)
Two books: שְׁנֵי סְפָרִים (shnei sefarim)
Three books: שְׁלוֹשָׁה סְפָרִים (shlosha sefarim)
Dates and Time
First day: יוֹם רִאשׁוֹן (yom rishon) - "day one"
Second day: יוֹם שֵׁנִי (yom sheni) - "day two"
Note: Days of the week in Hebrew are numbered (first day, second day, etc.) rather than named.
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