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.

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From Hebrew wordsEdit

abacus
from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} Template:'avaq 'dust' (AHD), probably from Greek ἄβαξ abax 'slab' (MW)
agora (currency)
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} agorah 'small coin' (MW), from Greek agora "an assembly of the People" from ageirein "to assemble
aliyah
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} Template:'aliyah 'ascent' (MW)
almemar
from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} Template:'almemar 'bema', from Arabic المنبر al-minbar 'pulpit' (AHD)
amen
from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} Template:'amen (MW) 'certainly', 'verily' (AHD)
armageddon
from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} har megido 'mount megido' (AHD)
baal
from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} ba'al 'lord' (AHD, MW)
babel
from (AHD, MW) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} balal 'confound' (SC) + in part from Akkadian 𒇷𒄿 𒀊𒁀 bāb-ilu 'gate of god' (MW)
bar mitzvah
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} bar miṣwah 'son of the commandment' (MW)
bath (volume)
from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} bath (MW) '10 gallons liquid measure' (AHD) from Greek βαθύς (bathus), "deep",<ref>βαθύς, Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon, on Perseus</ref>
bat mitzvah
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} bath miṣwah 'daughter of the commandment' (MW)
behemoth
from (MW) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} behemoth 'beasts' (AHD)
bethel
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} 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) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} b'rith 'covenant' (MW)
brith milah
from (WNW) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} 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) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} qabbalah 'received (lore)' (MW)
challah
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} ḥallah 'egg-rich yeast-leavened bread' (MW)
chazan, hazan
from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} ḥazzan 'cantor' (MW) + in part from Aramaic, both from Akkadian (AHD)
cherub
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} kerubh 'celestial hierarchy angel' (MW)
chutzpah
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} ḥuṣpah 'supreme self-confidence' (MW)
cider
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} shekhar 'strong drink' (MW)
copacetic
disputed (MW) + perhaps from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} kol beṣedeq 'all with justice' (AHD), or {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} kol beseder ‘all is in order’ (MW)
cor (volume), kor (volume)
from kor (AHD, WNW) '100 gallons capacity' (MW)
corban
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} qorban 'offering' (MW)
dybbuk
from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} dibbuq 'wandering soul' (AHD, MW)
edenic
from (WNW) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} Template:'eden 'delight' (AHD)
ephah
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} ephah '1/10 homer dry measure', from Egyptian (MW)
galilee
from Latin galilaea (AHD, MW), from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} galiyl 'circle', 'circuit' (SC)
ganef
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} gannabh 'thief' (MW)
gerah
from (MW) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} gerah 'grain', 'bean' (AHD)
get (divorce document)
from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} get 'document of release' (MW)
golem
from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} golem (AHD) 'shapeless mass' (MW)
goy
from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} goy 'nation' (AHD, MW)
gun moll
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} gannabh 'thief' (MW) + from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} 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 {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} halakhah 'way' (MW)
hallelujah, alleluia
from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} halleluyah 'praise the [[Yahweh|Template:LORD]]' (AHD, MW)
halutz
from hlṣ 'be in the vanguard' (WNW)
hebraize
from (MW) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} Template:'ibhri (AHD) 'region across [descendant]' (SC)
heder
from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} heder 'room' (MW)
homer (volume)
from (AHD, MW) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} hamar 'surge up', 'swell up' (WNW), Greek ὅμηρος (hómēros), "hostage"
hosanna
from (AHD) hoshi'ah-nna 'save please' (MW)
jubilee
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} yobhel 'ram's horn' (MW)
judas
from (MW) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} yehuda (AHD) 'celebrated' (SC)
kabbalah, cabala
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} qabbalah 'received (lore)' (MW)
kaddish
from (AHD, MW) qds 'sanctify' (WNW)
kashrut
from (AHD, MW) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} ksr 'be appropriate' (WNW)
kibbutz
from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} qibbuṣ (MW) 'gathering' (AHD)
kibosh
disputed (AHD, MW) + perhaps from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} kabash 'tread down', 'disregard'Template:Citation needed
kiddush
from (AHD) qiddush 'sanctification' (MW)
klezmer
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} k'ley zemer 'musical instruments' (MW)
knesset
(OSPD) from kanas 'assemble' (AHD, WNW)
kosher
from (AHD, MW) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} ksr 'be appropriate' (WNW)
chayyim
(OSPD) from ḥaim 'to life' (WNW)
leviathan
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} liwyathan 'sea monster, whale' (MW)
macabre
from French (danse) macabre (AHD, MW), probably from Latin (Chorea) Machabaeorum, from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} maqqebet 'hammer' (WNW), from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} naqab 'perforate' (SC)
maftir
(OSPD) from maphtir 'one that dismisses' (NI)
mahzor
from (AHD) ḥzr 'return' (WNW)
manna
from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} man (AHD, MW) (SC)
matzo
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} maṣah 'unleavened bread' (MW)
maven
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} mebhin 'one who is experienced' (MW), 'one who understands' (OED)
mazeltov
from (WNW) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} mazzal tob 'good luck' (AHD)
mazuma
from (WNW) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} mezumman 'fixed' (AHD)
megillah
from (MW, WNW) galal 'roll' (AHD)
menorah
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} menorah 'candlestick' (MW)
meshuga
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} meshugga 'crazy' (MW).
messiah
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} mashiaḥ 'anointed' (MW) + in part from Aramaic (AHD) meshiha 'anointed' (MW)
mezuzah
from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} mezuzah 'doorpost' (AHD, MW)
midrash
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} midrash 'exposition', 'explanation' (MW)
mikvah
from miqwah 'purification bath' (AHD)
minyan
from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} minyan 'number', 'count' (MW), from Aramaic (AHD)
mitzvah
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} miṣwah 'commandment' (MW)
mohel
from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} mohel 'person qualified to perform circumcision' (WNW)
momser
from momser 'bastard' (WNW)
mishpachah
from mishpahah 'family', 'clan' (NI)
moshav
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} 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 {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} Template:'omer (AHD) '1/10 ephah dry capacity' (MW)
parashah
from parashah 'explanation' (MW, WNW)
pascal
from 'Pascal' (AHD, MW), from<ref>pascal. French-English translation in CollinsDictionary.com. Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 11th Edition. Retrieved November 10, 2012.</ref> {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} pesah 'passover' (AHD, MW, OED)
paschal
from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} pasah al 'passed over' (AHD, MW, OED)
pharaoh
from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} 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) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} parash 'separate' (SC), 'cleave' (WNW)
rabbi
from (AHD, WNW) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} rabh 'master' (MW)
rebbe
from (AHD, WNW) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} rabh 'master' (MW)
rebbetzin
from (WNW) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} rabh 'master' (MW)
sabbatical
from (MW) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} shabbat 'day of rest' (AHD)
sabra
from (AHD) ṣabar 'prickly pear' (MW)
satanic
from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} satan 'adversary' (MW), 'devil' (AHD)
schmooze
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} shemu'oth 'news', 'rumor' (MW)
schwa
from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} schewaTemplate:' 'unstressed mid-central vowel' (MW), probably from Syriac ܥܗܘܐܝܝܐ sewayya 'equal' (AHD)
seder
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} seder 'order' (MW)
selah
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} selah (MW) 'suspension', 'pause' (SC)
seraph
from (MW) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} saraph 'celestial being' (AHD)
shadchan
(OSPD) from shiddekh 'arrange a marriage' (NI)
shadrach
(OSPD) from (AHD) shadrach 'captive' (WNW)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

shalom
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} shalom 'peace' (MW)
shalom aleichem
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} shalom 'alekhem 'peace unto you' (MW)
shammes
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} shammash 'sexton' (MW)
shamus
perhaps from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} shammash 'sexton' (MW)
shegetz
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} sheqes 'blemish', 'abomination' (MW)
shekel
from (MW) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} saqal 'weigh', from Canaanite tql (AHD)
sheol
(OSPD) from se'ol 'underworld' (AHD), perhaps from shaal 'dig' (WNW)
shibboleth
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} shibboleth 'stream' (MW), 'ear of grain' (OED)
shiksa
from (AHD, WNW) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} sheqes 'blemish', 'abomination' (MW)
shivah
from (AHD) shibh'ah 'seven' (MW)
shofar
from shophar (MW) 'ram's horn' (AHD)
siddur
from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} siddur 'arrangement' (AHD), 'order' (MW)
sukkah
from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} sukkah 'booth', 'shelter' (MW)
sycamine
from (AHD, MW) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} shiqmah 'mulberry tree' (OED)
tallith
from (MW) tillel 'cover' (AHD)
talmudism
from (MW) lamad 'learn' (AHD)
teraph
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} teraphim 'household god' (MW)
torah
from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} tora 'law', 'instruction' (AHD)
tref
from taraph 'tear' (AHD)
tsuris
from (AHD) ṣarah 'calamity' (WNW)
tush, toches
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} tahath 'under', 'beneath' (MW)
tzitzit, zizith
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} ṣiṣith 'fringes', 'tassels' (MW)
ulpan
from aleph 'ox', 'leader' (WNW)
yeshiva
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} yeshibhah 'talmudic school' (MW)
yid
from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} yehudah (AHD) 'celebrated' (SC)
zaddik
from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} ṣaddiq 'just', 'righteous' (MW)

From Hebrew namesEdit

abelia
from 'Abel' (AHD, MW), from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} Hebhel 'Abel'<ref name=abel>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> (='emptiness') (SC)

abelian
from 'Abel' (AHD, MW), from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} Hebhel 'Abel'<ref name=abel/> (='emptiness') (SC)
abigail
from (MW) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (SC) Avigail 'Abigail' (='father of exaltation') (HH)
adam-and-eve
from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} Adam 'Adam' (MW) (='earth') (HH) + from חוה Hawwah 'Eve' (MW) (='living') (HH)
ammonite
from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} Ammon, Biblical tribe
bedlam
from (AHD, MW) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} Beth Leḥem 'Bethlehem' (='house of bread')
bejesus
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} 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 {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} qəṣi`â
davit
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} Dawid 'David' (MW) (='loving') (SC)
hamantasch
from Haman, a biblical villain (MW) + tash, multiple etimologies; from Yiddish (MW)
hansom
from 'Hansom' (MW), from 'Hans',<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> from Yohanan 'John' (='the [[Yahweh|Template:LORD]] is gracious') (HH)
jack
1 from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} Yohanan 'John' (MW) (='the Template:LORD is gracious') (HH)
2 perhaps from יַעֲקֹב Ya'aqobh 'Jacob' (MW) (='he has protected') (AHD)
jacket
from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} Ya'aqobh 'Jacob' (MW) (='he has protected') (AHD)
jacobean
from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} Ya'aqobh 'Jacob' (MW) (='he has protected') (AHD)
jacquard
from 'Jacquard' (AHD, MW), from<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> יַעֲקֹב Ya'aqobh 'Jacob' (MW) (='he has protected') (AHD)
jacquerie
from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} Ya'aqobh 'Jacob' (MW) (='he has protected') (AHD)
jakes
perhaps from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} Ya'aqobh 'Jacob' (MW) (='he has protected') (AHD)
jeez
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} Yeshu'a 'Jesus' (MW) (='Jehovah-saved') (SC)
jehu
from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} Yehu 'Jehu' (MW) (='Jehovah [is] He') (SC)
jeremiad
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} Yirmeyah 'Jeremiah' (MW) (='the Template:LORD will rise') (SC)
jeroboam
from (AHD, MW) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} Yarobh'am 'Jeroboam' (='people will contend') (SC)
jesuit
from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} Yeshu'a 'Jesus' (AHD) ('Jehovah-saved') (SC)
jezebel
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} Izebhel 'Jezebel' (MW) (='chaste') (SC)
jimmy
from (MW) 'James' (AHD), from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} Ya'aqobh 'Jacob' (MW, OED) (='he has protected') (AHD)
jockey
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} Yohanan 'John' (MW) (='the Template:LORD is gracious') (HH)
joe
from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} Yoseph 'Joseph' (MW) (='he shall add') (HH)
john (washroom)
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} Yohanan 'John' (MW) (='the Template:LORD is gracious') (HH)
johnny (gown)
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} Yohanan 'John' (MW) (='the Template:LORD is gracious') (HH)
jorum
perhaps from (AHD, MW) Yehoram 'Joram' (='Jehovah-raised') (SC)
joseph
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} Yoseph 'Joseph' (MW) (='he shall add') (HH)
lazar
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} El'azar 'Lazarus' (MW) (='God is my help') (HH)
lazaretto
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} El'azar 'Lazarus' (MW) (='God is my help') (HH) + from (MW) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} 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 {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} Miryam (AHD) 'Miriam' (MW, OED) (='rebelliously') (SC) + perhaps from Egyptian (HH)
marry (interjection)
from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} 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<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Mikha'el 'Michael' (MW) (='who [is] like God?') (SC)
moll
from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} Miryam (AHD) 'Miriam' (MW, OED) (='rebelliously') (SC) + perhaps from Egyptian (HH)
nance
from 'Nancy' (MW, AHD), probably in part from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} Ḥannah 'Anna' (OED) (='favored') (HH, SC)
nimrod
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} Nimrodh 'Nimrod' (='hunter') (MW)
philistine
1 from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} Pelistim 'Philistines' 'Aegean people who settled Philistia' (AHD)
2 from (MW) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} Pelesheth 'Philistia' (='rolling', 'migratory') (SC)
rube
(AHD) from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} Re'ubhen 'Reuben' (MW) (='see ye a son') (SC)
samaritan
from (AHD, MW) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} Shomron 'Samaria' (='watch-station') (SC)
semitist
from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} Shem 'Shem' (MW) (='name') (SC)
simony
from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} Shim'on 'Simon' (MW) (='hearing') (HH, SC)
sodom
from (MW) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} s'dom 'Sodom' (AHD, OED) (='burnt') (SC)
toby
from (AHD, MW) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} Toviah 'Tobias' (='goodness of Jehovah') (SC)
yankee
probably from (AHD) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} Yohanan 'John' (MW) (='the Template:LORD is gracious') (HH)

Letter namesEdit

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 {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} aleph 'ox', 'leader' (WNW) + from Canaanite 𐤀𐤋𐤐 'alp 'ox' (AHD)
beta
from Greek Βήτα beta, from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} bet 'house', probably from Phoenician (WNW) + from Canaanite 𐤁𐤉𐤕 bet 'house' (AHD)
gamma
from Greek Γάμμα gamma, perhaps from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} gimel 'ruminant beast' (WNW) + from Phoenician 𐤋𐤌𐤀𐤂 (AHD)
delta
from Greek Δέλτα delta (AHD), perhaps from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} 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 {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} yodh 'hand' (WNW) + from (MW) Phoenician 𐤉𐤏𐤕 (AHD)
kappa
from Greek Κάππα kappa, perhaps from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} kaph (WNW) 'palm of the hand' (MW) + from (MW) Phoenician 𐤊𐤀𐤅 (AHD)
lambda
from Greek Λάμβδα lambda, perhaps from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} lamedh 'whip', 'club' (WNW) + from (MW) Phoenician 𐤋𐤀𐤌𐤃 (AHD)
nu
from Greek Νυ nu, perhaps from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} nun 'fish' (WNW) + of Semitic origin (AHD)
pi
from Greek Πι pi, perhaps from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} pe 'mouth' (WNW) + from (MW) Phoenician 𐤐𐤄 (AHD)
rho
from Greek Ρω rho, perhaps from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} 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 alsoEdit

ReferencesEdit

Template:Reflist

Template:English words of foreign origin