אִשָּׁה

The Hebrew term אִשָּׁה (ishshah) broadly refers to a female human being, translating as "woman" or "wife." Its semantic range extends from a young girl to an elderly woman, and from an unmarried female to a married woman. The word is often used to simply denote a female in contrast to a male, or to specify the gender in a group. In many contexts, it specifically refers to a wife, highlighting the marital relationship. This dual meaning of "woman" and "wife" is central to understanding its usage throughout the Old Testament. The term is foundational in describing social structures, family relationships, and the roles of women in ancient Israelite society, often appearing in legal texts, wisdom literature, and historical narratives. It is also used in figurative language, though less frequently. When referring to "every" or "each" one, it can be used distributively to emphasize individual members of a group, irrespective of gender, though the feminine form is retained. The significance of ishshah lies in its ubiquitous presence and its role in delineating the female identity and function within biblical narratives and laws.