אָכַל
Transliteration
'āḵal
Pronunciation
aw-kal'
Part of Speech
verb
Root Word (Etymology)
A primitive root
Dictionary Aids

TWOT Reference: 85

Strong’s Definitions

אָכַל ʼâkal, aw-kal'; a primitive root; to eat (literally or figuratively):—× at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, × freely, × in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, × quite.

KJV Translation Count — Total: 810x

The KJV translates Strong's H398 in the following manner: eat (604x), devour (111x), consume (32x), miscellaneous (55x).

  1. to eat, devour, burn up, feed

    1. (Qal)

      1. to eat (human subject)

      2. to eat, devour (of beasts and birds)

      3. to devour, consume (of fire)

      4. to devour, slay (of sword)

      5. to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought)

      6. to devour (of oppression)

    2. (Niphal)

      1. to be eaten (by men)

      2. to be devoured, consumed (of fire)

      3. to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh)

    3. (Pual)

      1. to cause to eat, feed with

      2. to cause to devour

    4. (Hiphil)

      1. to feed

      2. to cause to eat

    5. (Piel)

      1. consume

Strong’s Definitions [?](Strong’s Definitions Legend)
אָכַל ʼâkal, aw-kal'; a primitive root; to eat (literally or figuratively):—× at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, × freely, × in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, × quite.
STRONGS H398: Abbreviations
אָכַל 806 verb eat (Arabic أَكَلَ, Assyrian akâlu DlW, Aramaic H399 אֲבַל, LfkAe  ) —
Qal Perfect אָכַל Exodus 34:28 +; אָֽכְלָה Numbers 21:28 +; etc. Imperfect יֹאכַל Genesis 49:27 +; וַיּאֹ֫כַל Genesis 25:34 +; וַיּאֹכַ֑ל Genesis 3:6 +; יאֹכֵ֑ל Leviticus 21:22 +; אֹכַל Genesis 24:33 +; וָֽאֹכַ֫ל Genesis 27:33; וְאֹכֵ֑ל Isaiah 44:19; וָֽאֹכֵל Genesis 3:12, 13; 3rd person plural יאֹכְלוּ Genesis 32:33 +; יאֹכֵ֑לוּ Deuteronomy 18:18 +; etc. (for יוֺכְלוּ Ezekiel 42:5 read יוצלו, יאצלו Ew Co); suffix יאֹכְלֶנּוּ Leviticus 7:6 +; תּאֹבַלְכֶם Isaiah 33:11, etc., probably also תְּאָכְלֵהוּ Job 20:26, either as secondary form from תּאֹ׳ (Ew§ 253 Di) or textual error (Ges§ 68. 1) > Pi., Thes KöI, 389; or Po`el, Ki De MV; Imperative אֱכוֺל 1 Kings 18:41 +, etc.; Infinitive absolute אָכוֺל Genesis 2:16 +; construct אֲכֹל Numbers 26:10 + 2 times; לֶאֱכֹל Genesis 24:33 +; לְאָכְלָה Jeremiah 12:9; Participle אֹכֵל (אוֺכֵל) Genesis 39:6 +, אֹכֶלֶת Exodus 24:17 +, etc. —
1. eat, human subject Genesis 3:11, 18 + often; mostly with accusative Exodus 16:35 +; also followed by מִן־ (eat of, — some of, — or from) Exodus 34:15; Ruth 2:14 +; followed by בְּ (eat of or at) Exodus 12:43f; absolute Deuteronomy 2:6 +; as act of worship Genesis 31:54 (compare Genesis 46:1) Exodus 18:12; Exodus 24:11; Exodus 34:15; Deuteronomy 12:7, 18; Deuteronomy 14:23, 26 +; compare of priests Exodus 29:32; Leviticus 10:13 +; compare אָבַל אֶל־הֶהָרִים Ezekiel 18:6, 11, 15; Ezekiel 22:9 + Ezekiel 33:25 עַל־הַדָּם Co עַל־הֶהָרִים; (but RSRel. Semitic i. 324 N would emend first 4 by last); eat up, finish eating Genesis 43:2 (with בלה) 1 Kings 13:28 +; אָכַל לֶחֶם = take a meal Genesis 43:25; Exodus 2:20; 1 Samuel 20:24; Jeremiah 41:1 +; so א׳ alone Genesis 43:16; 1 Samuel 20:5 +; לֶחֶם א׳ = eat, get food Genesis 3:19; 2 Kings 4:8 +; Amos 7:12 (i.e. spend one's life) compare Ecclesiastes 5:16; ל׳ לֹא א׳ i.e. fast 1 Samuel 28:20; 1 Samuel 30:12; Ezra 10:6 compare Daniel 10:3; figurative אֶת־בְּשָׂרוֺ א׳ Ecclesiastes 4:5 (i.e. waste away); eat words Jeremiah 15:16 (i.e. eagerly receive); of adultery, Proverbs 30:20 אָֽוֶן׃ לֹא־פָעַלְתִּי וְאָֽמְרָה פִּ֑יהָ וּמָֽחֲתָה אָֽכְלָה; eat (taste) good fortune, בַּטּוֺב א׳ Job 21:25; לְמִּי אָבְלוֺ according to his eating, i.e. according to his needs in eating Exodus 12:4; Exodus 16:16, 18 also Exodus 16:21; compare Job 20:21 & below אָכְלָה; אָכַל הַפְּרִי 2 Kings 19:29; Amos 9:14, of peaceful enjoyment of results of labour; figurative of receiving consequences of action, good or bad Proverbs 1:31; Proverbs 18:21; Hosea 10:13 compare אֶת־כַּסְפֵּנוּ גַּם־אָכוֺל וַיּאֹכַל Genesis 31:15 i.e. he has reaped all the benefit, compare Hosea 7:9; figurative of mourner, אֵפֶר כַּלֶּחֶם אָכָ֑לְתִּי Psalm 102:10 (compare Psalm 80:6 Hiph., & Assyrian akâl al âkul, bikîtum kurmatî = food I ate not, weeping (was) my refreshment HptASKT 166 f. Obsev. 1. 21, 22 ZimBP 34. 42); of gods, partaking of sacrifices Deuteronomy 32:38; figurative = destroy Deuteronomy 7:16 (compare Numbers 14:9); compare Jeremiah 10:25; Jeremiah 30:16; Jeremiah 50:7; Hosea 7:7.
2. of beasts, birds, etc., eat, devour; Genesis 37:20, 33; Genesis 40:17, 19; 1 Kings 13:28; 1 Kings 14:11; 1 Kings 16:4; 1 Kings 21:23, 24; Hosea 2:14 +; specifically of locusts Joel 1:4; Joel 2:25; 2 Chronicles 7:13 compare Amos 4:9; moth Job 13:28; flies Psalm 78:45; worms Deuteronomy 28:39; also Ezekiel 19:3, 6 (of Israel under figure of lion), compare Jeremiah 50:7, 17; Jeremiah 51:34; also Hosea 13:8 (of י׳ under fig, of lion), Ezekiel 22:25 (נֶפֶשׁ אָכָ֑לוּ, of false prophets under figure of lion).
3. figurative of fire, devour, consume Leviticus 6:3 (followed by 2 accusative consume offering to ashes) Nahum 3:13; Isaiah 5:24 (in simile), particular of fire from י׳ Leviticus 10:2; Leviticus 16:25; Judges 9:15f 1 Kings 18:38; 2 Kings 1:10, 12, 14; 2 Chronicles 7:1; compare Amos 1:4, 7, 10, 12, 14; Amos 2:2, 5; Amos 5:6 +; Deuteronomy 5:22 of fire at Sinai; of י׳ as fire (in judgment) Deuteronomy 4:24 אֱלֹהֶיךָ אֵשׁ אֹכְלָה הוּא כִּי י׳; compare Deuteronomy 9:3; Isaiah 10:17 (|| בּער) Isaiah 30:27, 30; Isaiah 33:14 (|| מוֺקְדֵי עוֺלָם).
4. of sword, devour, slay Deuteronomy 32:42; 2 Samuel 22:26; 2 Samuel 11:25; 2 Samuel 18:8; Hosea 11:6; Jeremiah 2:30; Jeremiah 12:12; compare of devastation of land Isaiah 1:7; Jeremiah 8:16.
5. in general devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subject) of drought Genesis 31:40; of pestilence Ezekiel 7:15; of woods 2 Samuel 18:8; compare Leviticus 26:38 וְאָֽכְלָה אֶתְכֶם אֶרֶץ אֹיְבֵיכֶם; of הַבּשֶׁת Jeremiah 3:24 (see בּשֶׁת).
6. figurative of oppression, devour the poor, etc. Proverbs 30:14; Habakkuk 3:14 compare Psalm 14:4; of bitter enmity לֶאֱכֹל אֶת־בְּשָׂרִי Psalm 27:2. (compare Job 19:22).
† Niph. Perfect וְנֶאֱבַל consecutive Exodus 22:5 Imperfect יֵאָכֵל Genesis 6:21 +; וַיֵּאָכֵ֫ל Numbers 12:12, etc.; Infinitive absolute הֵאָבֹל Leviticus 7:18; Leviticus 19:7; Participle feminine נֶאֱכֶ֫לֶת Leviticus 11:47; —
1. be eaten by man Exodus 12:46; Exodus 13:3, 7; Exodus 21:28; Exodus 29:34; Leviticus 6:9; Leviticus 6:16; Leviticus 6:19; Leviticus 6:23; Leviticus 7:6, 15, 16 (twice in verse); Leviticus 7:18; Leviticus 11:41; Leviticus 19:6; Leviticus 19:7; Leviticus 19:23; Leviticus 22:30; Lev 28:17; Ezekiel 45:21; of custom, usage Genesis 6:21; Exodus 12:16; Deuteronomy 12:22; Job 6:6; of permission to eat Leviticus 7:19; Leviticus 11:13, 34, 47 (twice in verse); Leviticus 17:13; with negative be uneatable Jeremiah 24:2, 3, 8; Jeremiah 29:17.
2. be devoured by fire, consumed Zephaniah 1:18; Zephaniah 3:8; Zechariah 9:4; Ezekiel 23:25.
3. be wasted, destroyed, of flesh Numbers 12:12; Jeremiah 30:16.
Pu. Perfect אֻכְּלוּ be consumed with fire Nehemiah 2:3, 13 compare Nahum 1:10 (figurative); so Participle אֻכָּל (= מְאֻכָּל Ew§ 169 d) Exodus 3:2; by sword Isaiah 1:20 תְּאֻכְּלוּ.
† Hiph. Perfect 2nd person masculine singular suffix הֶאֱכַלְתָּם Psalm 80:6, וְהַאֲכַלְתִּ֫י Isaiah 49:26; suffix וְהַאֲכַלְתִּיךָ consecutive Isaiah 58:14; הֶאֱכַלְתִּיח Ezekiel 16:19; וְהַאֲכַלְתִּים consecutive Jeremiah 19:9; Imperfect suffix יַאֲכִלֵנוּ Numbers 11:4, 18, etc.; 2nd person masculine singular jussive [?] תַּאֲכֵל; 1st person singular אוֺכִיל Hosea 11:4; Imperative הַאֲכִילֵהוּ Proverbs 25:21, etc.; Infinitive לְהָכִיל Ezekiel 21:33 (but Co לההל, which see); Participle מַאֲבִיל Jeremiah 23:15, etc.; —
1. cause to eat, feed with, followed by 2 accusative subject mostly י׳; Exodus 16:32; Deuteronomy 8:3, 16; Ezekiel 3:2; Jeremiah 19:9; absolute Hosea 11:4; compare Numbers 11:4, 18; figurative Jeremiah 9:14; Jeremiah 23:15; Isaiah 49:26; Isaiah 58:14; Ezekiel 16:19; also Psalm 80:6 הֶאֱבַלְתָּם לֶחֶם דִּמְעָ֑ה (compare Psalm 102:10 Qal above); followed by accusative of person + מן Psalm 81:17, but also subject man Proverbs 25:21; 1 Kings 22:27; 2 Chronicles 18:26 וְהַאֲכִלֻהוּ לֶחֶם לַ֫חַץ of prison fare; followed by accusative of person only 2 Chronicles 28:15, compare Ezekiel 2:3.
2. cause to devour, object sword Ezekiel 21:33 [Ezekiel 21:28] (but on text see Co).
Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon, Unabridged, Electronic Database.
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References

Genesis

Genesis 2:16; Genesis 3:6; Genesis 3:11; Genesis 3:12; Genesis 3:13; Genesis 3:18; Genesis 3:19; Genesis 6:21; Genesis 6:21; Genesis 24:33; Genesis 24:33; Genesis 25:34; Genesis 27:33; Genesis 31:15; Genesis 31:40; Genesis 31:54; Genesis 37:20; Genesis 37:33; Genesis 39:6; Genesis 40:17; Genesis 40:19; Genesis 43:2; Genesis 43:16; Genesis 43:25; Genesis 46:1; Genesis 49:27

Exodus

Exodus 2:20; Exodus 3:2; Exodus 12:4; Exodus 12:16; Exodus 12:43; Exodus 12:46; Exodus 13:3; Exodus 13:7; Exodus 16:16; Exodus 16:18; Exodus 16:21; Exodus 16:32; Exodus 16:35; Exodus 18:12; Exodus 21:28; Exodus 22:5; Exodus 24:11; Exodus 24:17; Exodus 29:32; Exodus 29:34; Exodus 34:15; Exodus 34:15; Exodus 34:28

Leviticus

Leviticus 6:3; Leviticus 6:9; Leviticus 6:16; Leviticus 6:19; Leviticus 6:23; Leviticus 7:6; Leviticus 7:6; Leviticus 7:15; Leviticus 7:16; Leviticus 7:18; Leviticus 7:18; Leviticus 7:19; Leviticus 10:2; Leviticus 10:13; Leviticus 11:13; Leviticus 11:34; Leviticus 11:41; Leviticus 11:47; Leviticus 11:47; Leviticus 16:25; Leviticus 17:13; Leviticus 19:6; Leviticus 19:7; Leviticus 19:7; Leviticus 19:23; Leviticus 21:22; Leviticus 22:30; Leviticus 26:38

Numbers

Numbers 11:4; Numbers 11:4; Numbers 11:18; Numbers 11:18; Numbers 12:12; Numbers 12:12; Numbers 14:9; Numbers 21:28; Numbers 26:10

Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy 2:6; Deuteronomy 4:24; Deuteronomy 5:22; Deuteronomy 7:16; Deuteronomy 8:3; Deuteronomy 8:16; Deuteronomy 9:3; Deuteronomy 12:7; Deuteronomy 12:18; Deuteronomy 12:22; Deuteronomy 14:23; Deuteronomy 14:26; Deuteronomy 18:18; Deuteronomy 28:39; Deuteronomy 32:38; Deuteronomy 32:42

Judges

Judges 9:15

Ruth

Ruth 2:14

1 Samuel

1 Samuel 20:5; 1 Samuel 20:24; 1 Samuel 28:20; 1 Samuel 30:12

2 Samuel

2 Samuel 11:25; 2 Samuel 18:8; 2 Samuel 18:8; 2 Samuel 22:26

1 Kings

1 Kings 13:28; 1 Kings 13:28; 1 Kings 14:11; 1 Kings 16:4; 1 Kings 18:38; 1 Kings 18:41; 1 Kings 21:23; 1 Kings 21:24; 1 Kings 22:27

2 Kings

2 Kings 1:10; 2 Kings 1:12; 2 Kings 1:14; 2 Kings 4:8; 2 Kings 19:29

2 Chronicles

2 Chronicles 7:1; 2 Chronicles 7:13; 2 Chronicles 18:26; 2 Chronicles 28:15

Ezra

Ezra 10:6

Nehemiah

Nehemiah 2:3; Nehemiah 2:13

Job

Job 6:6; Job 13:28; Job 19:22; Job 20:21; Job 20:26; Job 21:25

Psalms

Psalms 14:4; Psalms 27:2; Psalms 78:45; Psalms 80:6; Psalms 80:6; Psalms 80:6; Psalms 102:10; Psalms 102:10

Proverbs

Proverbs 1:31; Proverbs 18:21; Proverbs 25:21; Proverbs 25:21; Proverbs 30:14; Proverbs 30:20

Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes 4:5; Ecclesiastes 5:16

Isaiah

Isaiah 1:7; Isaiah 1:20; Isaiah 5:24; Isaiah 10:17; Isaiah 30:27; Isaiah 30:30; Isaiah 33:11; Isaiah 33:14; Isaiah 44:19; Isaiah 49:26; Isaiah 49:26; Isaiah 58:14; Isaiah 58:14

Jeremiah

Jeremiah 2:30; Jeremiah 3:24; Jeremiah 8:16; Jeremiah 9:14; Jeremiah 10:25; Jeremiah 12:9; Jeremiah 12:12; Jeremiah 15:16; Jeremiah 19:9; Jeremiah 19:9; Jeremiah 23:15; Jeremiah 23:15; Jeremiah 24:2; Jeremiah 24:3; Jeremiah 24:8; Jeremiah 29:17; Jeremiah 30:16; Jeremiah 30:16; Jeremiah 41:1; Jeremiah 50:7; Jeremiah 50:7; Jeremiah 50:17; Jeremiah 51:34

Ezekiel

Ezekiel 2:3; Ezekiel 3:2; Ezekiel 7:15; Ezekiel 16:19; Ezekiel 16:19; Ezekiel 18:6; Ezekiel 18:11; Ezekiel 18:15; Ezekiel 19:3; Ezekiel 19:6; Ezekiel 21:28; Ezekiel 22:9; Ezekiel 22:25; Ezekiel 23:25; Ezekiel 33:25; Ezekiel 42:5; Ezekiel 45:21

Daniel

Daniel 10:3

Hosea

Hosea 2:14; Hosea 7:7; Hosea 7:9; Hosea 10:13; Hosea 11:4; Hosea 11:4; Hosea 11:6; Hosea 13:8

Joel

Joel 1:4; Joel 2:25

Amos

Amos 1:4; Amos 1:7; Amos 1:10; Amos 1:12; Amos 1:14; Amos 2:2; Amos 2:5; Amos 4:9; Amos 5:6; Amos 7:12; Amos 9:14

Nahum

Nahum 1:10; Nahum 3:13

Habakkuk

Habakkuk 3:14

Zephaniah

Zephaniah 1:18; Zephaniah 3:8

Zechariah

Zechariah 9:4