List of English words of Hebrew origin

Template:Short description Template:Wiktionarycat This is a list of English words of Hebrew origin. Transliterated pronunciations not found in Merriam-Webster or the American Heritage Dictionary follow Sephardic/Modern Israeli pronunciations as opposed to Ashkenazi pronunciations, with the major difference being that the letter taw (Template:Script) is transliterated as a 't' as opposed to an 's'.

There is a separate list of English words of Semitic origin other than those solely of Hebrew or Arabic origin.

From Hebrew words

abacus

from Template:'avaq 'dust' (AHD), probably from Greek ἄβαξ abax 'slab' (MW)

agora (currency)

from (AHD) agorah 'small coin' (MW), from Greek agora "an assembly of the People" from ageirein "to assemble

aliyah

from (AHD) Template:'aliyah 'ascent' (MW)

almemar

from Template:'almemar 'bema', from Arabic المنبر al-minbar 'pulpit' (AHD)

amen

from Template:'amen (MW) 'certainly', 'verily' (AHD)

armageddon

from har megido 'mount megido' (AHD)

baal

from ba'al 'lord' (AHD, MW)

babel

from (AHD, MW) balal 'confound' (SC) + in part from Akkadian 𒇷𒄿 𒀊𒁀 bāb-ilu 'gate of god' (MW)

bar mitzvah

from (AHD) bar miṣwah 'son of the commandment' (MW)

bath (volume)

from bath (MW) '10 gallons liquid measure' (AHD) from Greek βαθύς (bathus), "deep",

bat mitzvah

from (AHD) bath miṣwah 'daughter of the commandment' (MW)

behemoth

from (MW) behemoth 'beasts' (AHD)

bethel

from (AHD) beth'el 'house of God' (MW)

bethesda (chapel)

(OSPD) from (AHD) Greek Bethesda 'Bethesda' (WNW), probably from bayith chesed 'house of kindness' (SC)

bris

from (WNW) b'rith 'covenant' (MW)

brith milah

from (WNW) b'rith milah 'covenant of circumcision' (MW)

brouhaha

perhaps from barukh hab-ba 'blessed be he who comes' (WNW)

cab (volume)

from (MW) qab 'hollow vessel' (AHD)

cabal

from (AHD) qabbalah 'received (lore)' (MW)

challah

from (AHD) ḥallah 'egg-rich yeast-leavened bread' (MW)

chazan, hazan

from ḥazzan 'cantor' (MW) + in part from Aramaic, both from Akkadian (AHD)

cherub

from (AHD) kerubh 'celestial hierarchy angel' (MW)

chutzpah

from (AHD) ḥuṣpah 'supreme self-confidence' (MW)

cider

from (AHD) shekhar 'strong drink' (MW)

copacetic

disputed (MW) + perhaps from kol beṣedeq 'all with justice' (AHD), or kol beseder ‘all is in order’ (MW)

cor (volume), kor (volume)

from kor (AHD, WNW) '100 gallons capacity' (MW)

corban

from (AHD) qorban 'offering' (MW)

dybbuk

from dibbuq 'wandering soul' (AHD, MW)

edenic

from (WNW) Template:'eden 'delight' (AHD)

ephah

from (AHD) ephah '1/10 homer dry measure', from Egyptian (MW)

galilee

from Latin galilaea (AHD, MW), from galiyl 'circle', 'circuit' (SC)

ganef

from (AHD) gannabh 'thief' (MW)

gerah

from (MW) gerah 'grain', 'bean' (AHD)

get (divorce document)

from get 'document of release' (MW)

golem

from golem (AHD) 'shapeless mass' (MW)

goy

from goy 'nation' (AHD, MW)

gun moll

from (AHD) gannabh 'thief' (MW) + from Miryam (AHD) 'Miriam' (MW, OED) (='rebelliously') (SC) + perhaps from Egyptian (HH)

habdalah

from (AHD) habhdalah 'separation' (MW)

haftarah, haphtarah

from (MW, WNW) patar 'separate', 'discharge' (AHD)

haggadah

from (AHD, MW) heged 'a saying' (WNW)

halacha

from halakhah 'way' (MW)

hallelujah, alleluia

from halleluyah 'praise the [[Yahweh|Template:LORD]]' (AHD, MW)

halutz

from hlṣ 'be in the vanguard' (WNW)

hebraize

from (MW) Template:'ibhri (AHD) 'region across [descendant]' (SC)

heder

from heder 'room' (MW)

homer (volume)

from (AHD, MW) hamar 'surge up', 'swell up' (WNW), Greek ὅμηρος (hómēros), "hostage"

hosanna

from (AHD) hoshi'ah-nna 'save please' (MW)

jubilee

from (AHD) yobhel 'ram's horn' (MW)

judas

from (MW) yehuda (AHD) 'celebrated' (SC)

kabbalah, cabala

from (AHD) qabbalah 'received (lore)' (MW)

kaddish

from (AHD, MW) qds 'sanctify' (WNW)

kashrut

from (AHD, MW) ksr 'be appropriate' (WNW)

kibbutz

from qibbuṣ (MW) 'gathering' (AHD)

kibosh

disputed (AHD, MW) + perhaps from kabash 'tread down', 'disregard'

kiddush

from (AHD) qiddush 'sanctification' (MW)

klezmer

from (AHD) k'ley zemer 'musical instruments' (MW)

knesset

(OSPD) from kanas 'assemble' (AHD, WNW)

kosher

from (AHD, MW) ksr 'be appropriate' (WNW)

chayyim

(OSPD) from ḥaim 'to life' (WNW)

leviathan

from (AHD) liwyathan 'sea monster, whale' (MW)

macabre

from French (danse) macabre (AHD, MW), probably from Latin (Chorea) Machabaeorum, from maqqebet 'hammer' (WNW), from naqab 'perforate' (SC)

maftir

(OSPD) from maphtir 'one that dismisses' (NI)

mahzor

from (AHD) ḥzr 'return' (WNW)

manna

from man (AHD, MW) (SC)

matzo

from (AHD) maṣah 'unleavened bread' (MW)

maven

from (AHD) mebhin 'one who is experienced' (MW), 'one who understands' (OED)

mazeltov

from (WNW) mazzal tob 'good luck' (AHD)

mazuma

from (WNW) mezumman 'fixed' (AHD)

megillah

from (MW, WNW) galal 'roll' (AHD)

menorah

from (AHD) menorah 'candlestick' (MW)

meshuga

from (AHD) meshugga 'crazy' (MW).

messiah

from (AHD) mashiaḥ 'anointed' (MW) + in part from Aramaic (AHD) meshiha 'anointed' (MW)

mezuzah

from mezuzah 'doorpost' (AHD, MW)

midrash

from (AHD) midrash 'exposition', 'explanation' (MW)

mikvah

from miqwah 'purification bath' (AHD)

minyan

from minyan 'number', 'count' (MW), from Aramaic (AHD)

mitzvah

from (AHD) miṣwah 'commandment' (MW)

mohel

from mohel 'person qualified to perform circumcision' (WNW)

momser

from momser 'bastard' (WNW)

mishpachah

from mishpahah 'family', 'clan' (NI)

moshav

from (AHD) moshabh 'dwelling' (MW)

nabla

probably from nebhel 'harp' (NI)

nachas

pleasure, satisfaction, delight; proud enjoyment (usage: I have nachas from you) (from Hebrew נחת pronounced 'nachat') (WNW)

nebel

from nebhel 'harp' (NI)

omer

from Template:'omer (AHD) '1/10 ephah dry capacity' (MW)

parashah

from parashah 'explanation' (MW, WNW)

pascal

from 'Pascal' (AHD, MW), from pesah 'passover' (AHD, MW, OED)

paschal

from pasah al 'passed over' (AHD, MW, OED)

pharaoh

from par'oh 'ruler of ancient Egypt', from Egyptian (MW) <hiero>O1:O29</hiero> pr-'o 'great house' (AHD)

pharisee

from Aramaic (AHD) perisha 'separated', from (MW) parash 'separate' (SC), 'cleave' (WNW)

rabbi

from (AHD, WNW) rabh 'master' (MW)

rebbe

from (AHD, WNW) rabh 'master' (MW)

rebbetzin

from (WNW) rabh 'master' (MW)

sabbatical

from (MW) shabbat 'day of rest' (AHD)

sabra

from (AHD) ṣabar 'prickly pear' (MW)

satanic

from satan 'adversary' (MW), 'devil' (AHD)

schmooze

from (AHD) shemu'oth 'news', 'rumor' (MW)

schwa

from schewaTemplate:' 'unstressed mid-central vowel' (MW), probably from Syriac ܥܗܘܐܝܝܐ sewayya 'equal' (AHD)

seder

from (AHD) seder 'order' (MW)

selah

from (AHD) selah (MW) 'suspension', 'pause' (SC)

seraph

from (MW) saraph 'celestial being' (AHD)

shadchan

(OSPD) from shiddekh 'arrange a marriage' (NI)

shadrach

(OSPD) from (AHD) shadrach 'captive' (WNW)

shalom

from (AHD) shalom 'peace' (MW)

shalom aleichem

from (AHD) shalom 'alekhem 'peace unto you' (MW)

shammes

from (AHD) shammash 'sexton' (MW)

shamus

perhaps from (AHD) shammash 'sexton' (MW)

shegetz

from (AHD) sheqes 'blemish', 'abomination' (MW)

shekel

from (MW) saqal 'weigh', from Canaanite tql (AHD)

sheol

(OSPD) from se'ol 'underworld' (AHD), perhaps from shaal 'dig' (WNW)

shibboleth

from (AHD) shibboleth 'stream' (MW), 'ear of grain' (OED)

shiksa

from (AHD, WNW) sheqes 'blemish', 'abomination' (MW)

shivah

from (AHD) shibh'ah 'seven' (MW)

shofar

from shophar (MW) 'ram's horn' (AHD)

siddur

from siddur 'arrangement' (AHD), 'order' (MW)

sukkah

from sukkah 'booth', 'shelter' (MW)

sycamine

from (AHD, MW) shiqmah 'mulberry tree' (OED)

tallith

from (MW) tillel 'cover' (AHD)

talmudism

from (MW) lamad 'learn' (AHD)

teraph

from (AHD) teraphim 'household god' (MW)

torah

from tora 'law', 'instruction' (AHD)

tref

from taraph 'tear' (AHD)

tsuris

from (AHD) ṣarah 'calamity' (WNW)

tush, toches

from (AHD) tahath 'under', 'beneath' (MW)

tzitzit, zizith

from (AHD) ṣiṣith 'fringes', 'tassels' (MW)

ulpan

from aleph 'ox', 'leader' (WNW)

yeshiva

from (AHD) yeshibhah 'talmudic school' (MW)

yid

from yehudah (AHD) 'celebrated' (SC)

zaddik

from ṣaddiq 'just', 'righteous' (MW)

From Hebrew names

abelia

from 'Abel' (AHD, MW), from Hebhel 'Abel' (='emptiness') (SC)

abelian

from 'Abel' (AHD, MW), from Hebhel 'Abel' (='emptiness') (SC)

abigail

from (MW) (SC) Avigail 'Abigail' (='father of exaltation') (HH)

adam-and-eve

from Adam 'Adam' (MW) (='earth') (HH) + from חוה Hawwah 'Eve' (MW) (='living') (HH)

ammonite

from Ammon, Biblical tribe

bedlam

from (AHD, MW) Beth Leḥem 'Bethlehem' (='house of bread')

bejesus

from (AHD) Yeshu'a 'Jesus' (MW) (='Jehovah-saved') (SC)

benday

from (AHD) Binyamin 'Benjamin' (MW) (='son of [the] right hand') (SC) + from Old English (AHD, MW)

cassia

from qəṣi`â

davit

from (AHD) Dawid 'David' (MW) (='loving') (SC)

hamantasch

from Haman, a biblical villain (MW) + tash, multiple etimologies; from Yiddish (MW)

hansom

from 'Hansom' (MW), from 'Hans', from Yohanan 'John' (='the [[Yahweh|Template:LORD]] is gracious') (HH)

jack

1 from Yohanan 'John' (MW) (='the Template:LORD is gracious') (HH)
2 perhaps from יַעֲקֹב Ya'aqobh 'Jacob' (MW) (='he has protected') (AHD)

jacket

from Ya'aqobh 'Jacob' (MW) (='he has protected') (AHD)

jacobean

from Ya'aqobh 'Jacob' (MW) (='he has protected') (AHD)

jacquard

from 'Jacquard' (AHD, MW), from יַעֲקֹב Ya'aqobh 'Jacob' (MW) (='he has protected') (AHD)

jacquerie

from Ya'aqobh 'Jacob' (MW) (='he has protected') (AHD)

jakes

perhaps from Ya'aqobh 'Jacob' (MW) (='he has protected') (AHD)

jeez

from (AHD) Yeshu'a 'Jesus' (MW) (='Jehovah-saved') (SC)

jehu

from Yehu 'Jehu' (MW) (='Jehovah [is] He') (SC)

jeremiad

from (AHD) Yirmeyah 'Jeremiah' (MW) (='the Template:LORD will rise') (SC)

jeroboam

from (AHD, MW) Yarobh'am 'Jeroboam' (='people will contend') (SC)

jesuit

from Yeshu'a 'Jesus' (AHD) ('Jehovah-saved') (SC)

jezebel

from (AHD) Izebhel 'Jezebel' (MW) (='chaste') (SC)

jimmy

from (MW) 'James' (AHD), from Ya'aqobh 'Jacob' (MW, OED) (='he has protected') (AHD)

jockey

from (AHD) Yohanan 'John' (MW) (='the Template:LORD is gracious') (HH)

joe

from Yoseph 'Joseph' (MW) (='he shall add') (HH)

john (washroom)

from (AHD) Yohanan 'John' (MW) (='the Template:LORD is gracious') (HH)

johnny (gown)

from (AHD) Yohanan 'John' (MW) (='the Template:LORD is gracious') (HH)

jorum

perhaps from (AHD, MW) Yehoram 'Joram' (='Jehovah-raised') (SC)

joseph

from (AHD) Yoseph 'Joseph' (MW) (='he shall add') (HH)

lazar

from (AHD) El'azar 'Lazarus' (MW) (='God is my help') (HH)

lazaretto

from (AHD) El'azar 'Lazarus' (MW) (='God is my help') (HH) + from (MW) natzerath 'Nazareth' (WNW)

macadam

from 'McAdam' (MW), in part from Adham 'Adam' (='earth') (HH)

macadamia

from 'Macadam' (MW), in part from Adham 'Adam' (='earth') (HH)

marionette

from Miryam (AHD) 'Miriam' (MW, OED) (='rebelliously') (SC) + perhaps from Egyptian (HH)

marry (interjection)

from Miryam (AHD) 'Miriam' (MW, OED) (='rebelliously') (SC) + perhaps from Egyptian (HH)

mick

from Mikha'el 'Michael' (MW) (='who [is] like God?') (SC)

mickey (drink)

perhaps from (AHD) Mikha'el 'Michael' (MW) (='who [is] like God?') (SC)

miquelet

probably from Catalan Miquel (NI), from Mikha'el 'Michael' (MW) (='who [is] like God?') (SC)

moll

from Miryam (AHD) 'Miriam' (MW, OED) (='rebelliously') (SC) + perhaps from Egyptian (HH)

nance

from 'Nancy' (MW, AHD), probably in part from Ḥannah 'Anna' (OED) (='favored') (HH, SC)

nimrod

from (AHD) Nimrodh 'Nimrod' (='hunter') (MW)

philistine

1 from Pelistim 'Philistines' 'Aegean people who settled Philistia' (AHD)
2 from (MW) Pelesheth 'Philistia' (='rolling', 'migratory') (SC)

rube

(AHD) from Re'ubhen 'Reuben' (MW) (='see ye a son') (SC)

samaritan

from (AHD, MW) Shomron 'Samaria' (='watch-station') (SC)

semitist

from Shem 'Shem' (MW) (='name') (SC)

simony

from (AHD) Shim'on 'Simon' (MW) (='hearing') (HH, SC)

sodom

from (MW) s'dom 'Sodom' (AHD, OED) (='burnt') (SC)

toby

from (AHD, MW) Toviah 'Tobias' (='goodness of Jehovah') (SC)

yankee

probably from (AHD) Yohanan 'John' (MW) (='the Template:LORD is gracious') (HH)

Letter names

aleph, beth, gimel, daleth, he, waw, zayin, heth, teth, yod, kaph, lamed, mem, nun, samekh, ayin, pe, sadhe, qoph, resh, shin, taw (AHD, MW, WNW)

alpha

from Greek Άλφα alpha, perhaps from aleph 'ox', 'leader' (WNW) + from Canaanite 𐤀𐤋𐤐 'alp 'ox' (AHD)

beta

from Greek Βήτα beta, from bet 'house', probably from Phoenician (WNW) + from Canaanite 𐤁𐤉𐤕 bet 'house' (AHD)

gamma

from Greek Γάμμα gamma, perhaps from gimel 'ruminant beast' (WNW) + from Phoenician 𐤋𐤌𐤀𐤂 (AHD)

delta

from Greek Δέλτα delta (AHD), perhaps from deleth 'door' (WNW) + of Semitic origin, akin to Phoenician 𐤃𐤀𐤋𐤕 dalt 'door' (AHD)

eta

from Greek eta, perhaps from chet (WNW) 'terror' (SC) + from (MW) Phoenician 𐤇𐤕 (AHD)

iota

from Greek Ιώτα iota, perhaps from yodh 'hand' (WNW) + from (MW) Phoenician 𐤉𐤏𐤕 (AHD)

kappa

from Greek Κάππα kappa, perhaps from kaph (WNW) 'palm of the hand' (MW) + from (MW) Phoenician 𐤊𐤀𐤅 (AHD)

lambda

from Greek Λάμβδα lambda, perhaps from lamedh 'whip', 'club' (WNW) + from (MW) Phoenician 𐤋𐤀𐤌𐤃 (AHD)

nu

from Greek Νυ nu, perhaps from nun 'fish' (WNW) + of Semitic origin (AHD)

pi

from Greek Πι pi, perhaps from pe 'mouth' (WNW) + from (MW) Phoenician 𐤐𐤄 (AHD)

rho

from Greek Ρω rho, perhaps from rosh 'head' (WNW) + from (MW) Phoenician 𐤓𐤏𐤔 (AHD)

tau

from Greek Ταυ tau, perhaps from taw (WNW) 'mark', 'cross' (MW) + from (MW) Phoenician 𐤕𐤀𐤅 (AHD)

See also

• Lists of English words of international origin
• List of English words of Yiddish origin
• Hebraism

References

• AHD: American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language: 3rd or 4th edition
• HH: A Dictionary of First Names, Patrick Hanks & Flavia Hodges
• MW: Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary: 10th or 11th edition
• NI: Webster's New International Dictionary: 2nd or 3rd edition
• OED: Oxford English Dictionary: online edition
• SC: Strong's Concordance
• WNW: Webster's New World Dictionary: 3rd edition
• =: a name from a word or phrase with the meaning given