What does אָחַר (ʾāḥar) mean in the Bible?
אָחַר (ʾāḥar): Physical position of remaining behind shifts to temporal delay, implying reluctance or slowness in action.
Hebrew · H309
אָחַר
To loiter (i.e. be behind); by implication to procrastinate
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through theConnect page. Screenshots are helpful.
אָחַרH309
Pronunciationʾāḥar
What does אָחַר (ʾāḥar) mean in the Bible?
אָחַר (ʾāḥar): Physical position of remaining behind shifts to temporal delay, implying reluctance or slowness in action.
Full entry for אָחַר (H309) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H309?
The BSB source-word alignment has 17 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include delay (5), hesitate (2), and have remained there (1), be delayed (1), be slow to keep it (1).
Where does אָחַר (ʾāḥar) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Genesis 24:56. Its strongest book concentrations include Genesis (3), Psalms (3), Deuteronomy (2), Isaiah (2).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itdelay5×Psalms 40:17, Psalms 70:5, Ecclesiastes 5:4, Daniel 9:19
hesitate2×Genesis 34:19, Deuteronomy 7:10
and have remained there1×Genesis 32:4
be delayed1×Isaiah 46:13
be slow to keep it1×Deuteronomy 23:21
but he took longer1×2 Samuel 20:5
delay me1×Genesis 24:56
has delayed1×Judges 5:28
hold back1×Exodus 22:29
late1×Psalms 127:2
Those who linger1×Proverbs 23:30
who linger1×Isaiah 5:11
Show sample aligned rows
Genesis 24:56תְּאַחֲר֣וּtodelay meVerb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine pluralGenesis 32:4וָאֵחַ֖רtoand have remained thereConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singularGenesis 34:19אֵחַ֤רtohesitateVerb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singularExodus 22:29תְאַחֵ֑רtohold backVerb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine singularDeuteronomy 7:10יְאַחֵר֙tohesitateVerb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singularDeuteronomy 23:21תְאַחֵ֖רtobe slow to keep itVerb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine singularJudges 5:28אֶֽחֱר֔וּtohas delayedVerb - Piel - Perfect - third person common plural2 Samuel 20:5וַיֵּיחַרtobut he took longerConjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularPsalms 40:17תְּאַחַֽר׃todelayVerb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine singularPsalms 70:5תְּאַחַֽר׃todelayVerb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowGenesis 24:56
Aligned rows17
Books represented11
Genesis3Exodus1Deuteronomy2Judges12 Samuel1Psalms3Proverbs1Ecclesiastes1Isaiah2Daniel1Habakkuk1
Source forms
תְאַחֵ֑ר2xṯə·’a·ḥêrExodus 22:29, Isaiah 46:13
תְּאַחַֽר׃2xtə·’a·ḥarPsalms 40:17, Psalms 70:5
אֵחַ֤ר1x’ê·ḥarGenesis 34:19
אֶֽחֱר֔וּ1x’e·ḥĕ·rūJudges 5:28
וָאֵחַ֖ר1xwā·’ê·ḥarGenesis 32:4
וַיֵּיחַר1xway·yē·ḥar2 Samuel 20:5
יְאַחֵר֙1xyə·’a·ḥêrDeuteronomy 7:10
יְאַחֵֽר׃1xyə·’a·ḥêrHabakkuk 2:3
Parsing patterns
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine singular6xExodus 22:29, Deuteronomy 23:21, Psalms 40:17, Psalms 70:5
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular2xDeuteronomy 7:10, Habakkuk 2:3
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural construct2xPsalms 127:2, Isaiah 5:11
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular1x2 Samuel 20:5
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular1xGenesis 32:4
Preposition-l, Article | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural1xProverbs 23:30
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine plural1xGenesis 24:56
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person feminine singular1xIsaiah 46:13
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. Physical position of remaining behind shifts to temporal delay, implying reluctance or slowness in action.
Strong'sH309
Lexical occurrences17 versesWord forms1 form14 referencesVerse guides0 guides
Study linkProverbs 23:29-35Source Gloss
to loiter (i.e. be behind); by implication to procrastinate
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
Physical position of remaining behind shifts to temporal delay, implying reluctance or slowness in action.
to loiter (i.e. be behind); by implication to procrastinate BDB: to remain behind Usage: continue, defer, delay, hinder, be late (slack), stay (there), tarry (longer).
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups1Aligned forms14
Pielintensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action14×
JussiveDan 9:19 · Eccl 5:3 · Ps 40:18 · Ps 70:6 · Gen 24:565×
ImperfectDeut 7:10 · Hab 2:3 · Deut 23:22 · Exod 22:28 · Isa 46:135×
Participle activeIsa 5:11 · Ps 127:22×
PerfectGen 34:19 · Judg 5:282×
Selected Scripture Witness
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
Biblical Witnesses
to linger or remain behind in drinking wine, procrastinating departure
Showing 1 selected witness from 17 lexical occurrence verses.
Word Origins
אָחַר is a primitive root - no further derivation.
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.