8673. tishim
Lexical Summary
tishim: Ninety

Original Word: תִּשְׁעִים
Part of Speech: Noun
Transliteration: tish`iym
Pronunciation: tee-SHEEM
Phonetic Spelling: (tish-eem')
KJV: ninety
NASB: ninety
Word Origin: [multiple from H8672 (תֵּשַׁע תִּשׁעָה - nine)]

1. ninety

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
ninety

Multiple from tesha'; ninety -- ninety.

see HEBREW tesha'

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from the same as tesha
Definition
ninety
NASB Translation
1,290* (1), 392* (2), 690* (1), 95* (2), 96* (1), 98* (2), ninety (5), ninety-eight* (1), ninety-five* (2), ninety-nine* (2), ninety-six* (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
תִּשְׁעִים20 noun indeclinable ninety (archaic plural, DHMZMG xxxvii (1883), 9 f. PrätBAS i. 376, but compare Ges§ 97f.); — before singular noun: שָׁנָה Genesis 5:9; Genesis 17:17 +, אַמָּה Ezekiel 41:12, יוֺם Ezekiel 4:5,9; less often after plural noun אֵילִים Ezra 8:35, compare Daniel 12:11; in combination, ׳תprocedes units 1 Samuel 4:15 7t.; following Genesis 5:17,30; ׳ת following 100 Ezekiel 4:5,9 4t.

BIBLICAL ARAMAIC

[Daniel 2:4-7:28 Daniel 2:4b-7:28; Ezra 4:8-6:18; Ezra 7:12-26; Jeremiah 10:11; Genesis 31:47aβ.]

NOTE. - In the case of words common to Biblical Aramaic and Biblical Hebrew the etymological matter already given with the Hebrew words is not repeated here. The sign is prefixed to all words peculiar to the Biblical Aramaic. In other cases, except where ᵑ7 or Syriac is mentioned alone, it may be understood that the words occur also in the Aramaic of the ᵑ7s and in Syriac, even when this is not expressly stated.

Topical Lexicon
Numerical Theology of Ninety

In Scripture the figure ninety (תִּשְׁעִים) joins the factors nine and ten—symbols respectively of finality and completeness—so that the product often marks the closing stage of an old order and the threshold of a new work of God. Whether attached to years, cubits, days, or head-counts, it quietly signals ripeness for decisive divine action.

Genealogical Ages and Patriarchal Transitions

Genesis 5:9 records, “When Enosh was ninety years old, he became the father of Kenan”. The number appears at a hinge in Adam’s line, linking the early antediluvian fathers with the dawning of a fresh generation.

• In the covenant narrative of Abraham the word is prominent within the numbers ninety (Sarah) and ninety-nine (Abraham). “Will Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” (Genesis 17:17). Human barrenness at ninety magnifies the power of God, demonstrating that covenant promise rests not on natural vigor but on divine faithfulness.

Covenant Seal and the Mark of Circumcision

Genesis 17 places the initiation of circumcision when Abraham is “ninety-nine years old” (verse 24). The rite signifies separation unto God; the presence of תִּשְׁעִים inside the age underscores that God waits until natural hope is exhausted before sealing His pledge, so the glory is His alone.

Administrative Lists after the Exile

Ezra 2 and Nehemiah 7 each preserve census totals that incorporate ninety (e.g., Ezra 2:16; Nehemiah 7:21, 25, 60). These figures certify the remnant’s legal right to the land and temple service. The meticulous recording, down to units of ninety, displays the Lord’s care for every family and validates the historical continuity of the community that returned from Babylon.

Priestly Ornamentation

Jeremiah 52:23 notes that ninety-six of the pomegranates adorning the bronze capitals were visible. Pomegranates evoke fruitfulness; the mention of ninety within this decorative context hints that even in judgment (the temple’s destruction) God remembers His purpose to restore a fruitful priesthood.

Prophetic Measurements and Symbolic Days

Ezekiel 41:12: the auxiliary building behind the sanctuary measured “ninety cubits” in length, marking a defined, God-ordained boundary for sacred space.

Ezekiel 4:5, 9 merges ninety into the prophet’s 390-day sign-act, depicting the full measure of Israel’s iniquity yet to be borne.

Daniel 12:11 speaks of “1,290 days” from the abolition of the regular sacrifice to the abomination of desolation. The embedded ninety reinforces that the appointed trouble has a precise, God-limited end.

Pastoral and Devotional Implications

1. God’s timing often ripens at “ninety”—when human strength wanes and dependency is complete. Believers should therefore regard long delays not as abandonment but as preparation for miraculous intervention.

2. Detailed numerical records (Ezra–Nehemiah) model integrity in ministry administration; even a tally of ninety matters to the Lord of the covenant.

3. Prophetic numbers containing ninety assure the church that tribulation seasons are measured. The sovereign Lord starts the clock and will end it right on schedule.

4. Ornamentation tallied with ninety (Jeremiah 52) reminds worshipers that beauty and fruitfulness belong in God’s house, even when judgment appears to have stripped it bare.

Summary

תִּשְׁעִים surfaces whenever Scripture wants to underline completeness reaching its decisive moment—ages ready for covenant fulfillment, communities counted for restoration, structures precisely aligned for worship, or prophetic periods nearing closure. Recognizing this pattern enriches reading and preaching, strengthening confidence that the God who numbers hair and sparrow never loses count of covenant people or promises.

Forms and Transliterations
וְתִשְׁעִ֖ים וְתִשְׁעִ֛ים וְתִשְׁעִֽים׃ וְתִשְׁעִים֙ ותשעים ותשעים׃ תִּשְׁעִ֣ים תִּשְׁעִ֥ים תשעים tiš‘îm tiš·‘îm tishIm vetishIm wə·ṯiš·‘îm wəṯiš‘îm
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Englishman's Concordance
Genesis 5:9
HEB: וַֽיְחִ֥י אֱנ֖וֹשׁ תִּשְׁעִ֣ים שָׁנָ֑ה וַיּ֖וֹלֶד
NAS: lived ninety years,
KJV: And Enos lived ninety years, and begat
INT: lived Enosh ninety years and became

Genesis 5:17
HEB: מַהֲלַלְאֵ֔ל חָמֵ֤שׁ וְתִשְׁעִים֙ שָׁנָ֔ה וּשְׁמֹנֶ֥ה
NAS: hundred and ninety-five years,
KJV: hundred ninety and five
INT: of Mahalalel and five ninety years were eight

Genesis 5:30
HEB: נֹ֔חַ חָמֵ֤שׁ וְתִשְׁעִים֙ שָׁנָ֔ה וַחֲמֵ֥שׁ
NAS: hundred and ninety-five years
KJV: five hundred ninety and five years,
INT: of Noah five ninety years five

Genesis 17:1
HEB: אַבְרָ֔ם בֶּן־ תִּשְׁעִ֥ים שָׁנָ֖ה וְתֵ֣שַׁע
NAS: Now when Abram was ninety-nine years
INT: Abram old ninety years and nine

Genesis 17:17
HEB: שָׂרָ֔ה הֲבַת־ תִּשְׁעִ֥ים שָׁנָ֖ה תֵּלֵֽד׃
NAS: And will Sarah, who is ninety years
KJV: and shall Sarah, that is ninety years
INT: Sarah old is ninety years bear

Genesis 17:24
HEB: וְאַ֨בְרָהָ֔ם בֶּן־ תִּשְׁעִ֥ים וָתֵ֖שַׁע שָׁנָ֑ה
NAS: Now Abraham was ninety-nine years old
KJV: And Abraham [was] ninety years
INT: now Abraham old ninety and nine years

1 Samuel 4:15
HEB: וְעֵלִ֕י בֶּן־ תִּשְׁעִ֥ים וּשְׁמֹנֶ֖ה שָׁנָ֑ה
NAS: Now Eli was ninety-eight years old,
KJV: Now Eli was ninety and eight years
INT: now Eli old was ninety and eight years

1 Chronicles 9:6
HEB: שֵׁשׁ־ מֵא֥וֹת וְתִשְׁעִֽים׃
KJV: six hundred and ninety.
INT: six hundred and ninety

Ezra 2:16
HEB: אָטֵ֥ר לִֽיחִזְקִיָּ֖ה תִּשְׁעִ֥ים וּשְׁמֹנָֽה׃ ס
NAS: of Ater of Hezekiah, 98;
KJV: of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety and eight.
INT: of Ater Hezekiah ninety and eight

Ezra 2:20
HEB: בְּנֵ֥י גִבָּ֖ר תִּשְׁעִ֥ים וַחֲמִשָּֽׁה׃ ס
NAS: the sons of Gibbar, 95;
KJV: of Gibbar, ninety and five.
INT: the children of Gibbar ninety and five

Ezra 2:58
HEB: שְׁלֹ֥שׁ מֵא֖וֹת תִּשְׁעִ֥ים וּשְׁנָֽיִם׃ ס
KJV: [were] three hundred ninety and two.
INT: three hundred ninety and two

Ezra 8:35
HEB: יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ אֵילִ֣ים ׀ תִּשְׁעִ֣ים וְשִׁשָּׁ֗ה כְּבָשִׂים֙
NAS: for all Israel, 96 rams, 77
KJV: for all Israel, ninety and six
INT: Israel rams ninety and six lambs

Nehemiah 7:21
HEB: אָטֵ֥ר לְחִזְקִיָּ֖ה תִּשְׁעִ֥ים וּשְׁמֹנָֽה׃ ס
NAS: of Ater, of Hezekiah, 98;
KJV: of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety and eight.
INT: of Ater of Hezekiah ninety and eight

Nehemiah 7:25
HEB: בְּנֵ֥י גִבְע֖וֹן תִּשְׁעִ֥ים וַחֲמִשָּֽׁה׃ ס
NAS: the sons of Gibeon, 95;
KJV: of Gibeon, ninety and five.
INT: the children of Gibeon ninety and five

Nehemiah 7:60
HEB: שְׁלֹ֥שׁ מֵא֖וֹת תִּשְׁעִ֥ים וּשְׁנָֽיִם׃ פ
KJV: [were] three hundred ninety and two.
INT: three hundred ninety and two

Jeremiah 52:23
HEB: וַיִּֽהְיוּ֙ הָֽרִמֹּנִ֔ים תִּשְׁעִ֥ים וְשִׁשָּׁ֖ה ר֑וּחָה
NAS: There were ninety-six exposed
KJV: And there were ninety and six
INT: become pomegranates were ninety and six exposed

Ezekiel 4:5
HEB: שְׁלֹשׁ־ מֵא֥וֹת וְתִשְׁעִ֖ים י֑וֹם וְנָשָׂ֖אתָ
NAS: hundred and ninety days;
KJV: hundred and ninety days:
INT: three hundred and ninety days shall bear

Ezekiel 4:9
HEB: שְׁלֹשׁ־ מֵא֧וֹת וְתִשְׁעִ֛ים י֖וֹם תֹּאכֲלֶֽנּוּ׃
NAS: three hundred and ninety days.
KJV: hundred and ninety days
INT: three hundred and ninety days shall eat

Ezekiel 41:12
HEB: סָבִ֑יב וְאָרְכּ֖וֹ תִּשְׁעִ֥ים אַמָּֽה׃
NAS: and its length [was] ninety cubits.
KJV: and the length thereof ninety cubits.
INT: around length ninety cubits

Daniel 12:11
HEB: אֶ֖לֶף מָאתַ֥יִם וְתִשְׁעִֽים׃
KJV: two hundred and ninety days.
INT: a thousand hundred and ninety

20 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 8673
20 Occurrences


tiš·‘îm — 14 Occ.
wə·ṯiš·‘îm — 6 Occ.

8672
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