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Oct 3, 2011

how to say "consistent" in Hebrew


having trouble seeing the print?

עִקְבִי



Perhaps you know the Hebrew word for heel, as in the back of your foot: עֵקֶב (EH-kev). It's the root of the name Jacob - יַעֲקֹב (yah-ah-KOHV), who, according to the Biblical story, was born holding onto the עקב of his twin brother, Esau - עֵשָׂו (eh-SAHV).


To follow someone is לַעֲקוֹב אַחֲרֵי מִישֶׁהו (lah-ah-KOHV ah-khah-REH-ee MEE-sheh-hoo), evoking the image of following footsteps or heel-prints.




Using the same imagery, Hebrew calls someone or something consistent - that is, behaving in a reliable, predictable manner or taking steady footsteps - עִקְבִי (eek-VEE) in the masculine and עִקְבִית (eek-VEET) in the feminine.





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