אָח

Brother

AKH

About “Brother” in Hebrew

The sibling bond is a recurring theme throughout the Torah, from Cain and Abel to Moses and Aaron. In modern Israel, the word ach is also used colloquially as 'bro' among friends. The concept of Jewish brotherhood—achvah—extends to the communal responsibility Jews feel for one another worldwide.

Example

הָאָח שֶׁלִּי גָּדוֹל מִמֶּנִּי.
My brother is older than me.

Gematria of “Brother” (אח)

In Hebrew numerology (gematria), each letter has a numerical value. The word אח (AKH) has a gematria value of 9.

1א+
8ח
 =
total9

Brother” in the Bible

Verses from the Torah and Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) mentioning “brother”.

Amos 1:9עמוס 1:9

כה אמר יהוה על שלשה פשעי צר ועל ארבעה לא אשיבנו על הסגירם גלות שלמה לאדום ולא זכרו ברית אחים

Thus said GOD: For three transgressions of Tyre, For four, I will not revoke the decree: Because they handed over An entire population to Edom, Ignoring the covenant of brotherhood.

Amos 1:11עמוס 1:11

כה אמר יהוה על שלשה פשעי אדום ועל ארבעה לא אשיבנו על רדפו בחרב אחיו ושחת רחמיו ויטרף לעד אפו ועברתו שמרה נצח

Thus said GOD: For three transgressions of Edom, For four, I will not revoke the decree: Because he pursued his brother with the sword And repressed all pity, Because his anger raged unceasing And his fury stormed and Jer. 3.5. unchecked.

Deuteronomy 1:28דברים 1:28

אנה אנחנו עלים אחינו המסו את לבבנו לאמר עם גדול ורם ממנו ערים גדלת ובצורת בשמים וגם בני ענקים ראינו שם

What kind of place are we going to? Our brothers have taken the heart out of us, saying, ‘We saw there a people stronger and taller than we, large cities with walls sky-high, and even Anakites.’”

English translation: THE JPS TANAKH, Revised Edition (2023) © Jewish Publication Society, via Sefaria. CC BY-NC 4.0

This word starts with the Hebrew letter alef.

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