אוֹיֵב
oyévmasculine
The Hebrew word for 'enemy' is אוֹיֵב (oyév). Wiktionary also lists שׂוֹנֵא (soné) and צַר (tzar).
Meaning: someone who is hostile to, feels hatred towards, opposes the interests of, or intends injury to someone else (noun)
Ways to say it
| Hebrew | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| אוֹיֵב | oyév | masculine |
| שׂוֹנֵא | soné | masculine |
| צַר | tzar | masculine |
The term describes someone who is hostile toward another, feels hatred, opposes their interests or intends to cause them injury.
Which one should you use?
While אוֹיֵב refers to an enemy in the context of a conflict or war, שׂוֹנֵא specifically refers to a 'hater' or someone who feels intense dislike. The term צַר is used as a more literary or biblical way to say adversary or foe.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine singular form is אוֹיֵב. The feminine singular form is אוֹיֶבֶת, and the masculine plural form is אוֹיְבִים.
How do you pronounce it?
oyév
Did you know?
- The word צַר is an adjective meaning 'narrow' or 'tight' before it became a noun for 'adversary'. It evokes the physical sensation of being trapped or constricted by an opponent.
- In the Hebrew Bible, the word צַר is often used to describe a 'distress' or 'trouble' rather than a person, treating the enemy as the feeling of pressure they cause.
- While אוֹיֵב is the standard word for 'enemy', the word יריב is used for a 'rival' or 'opponent', distinguishing a professional or sporting enemy from a malicious one.
Examples in context
- הוא לא רואה בו אוֹיֵב.hu lo ro'e bo oyev.He does not see him as an enemy.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “enemy” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
