Hebrew word · Strong's H7223

רִאשׁוֹן

riʼshôwn · ree-shone' · adjective · “first, former”

In a sentence

Rishon means first, former. It opens the Bible alongside reshit («in the beginning») and runs through the Hebrew sense of priorities — who and what comes first.

Rishon means «first» — first in time, first in rank. Genesis 1 ends each day with the «first day,» «second day,» etc.

Beyond order, rishon names what matters first. Isaiah's God says, «I am the rishon and the last» (44:6). Revelation echoes him in the mouth of Christ — «I am the first and the last.»

Strong's reference

Definition: first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)

KJV usage: ancestor, (that were) before(-time), beginning, eldest, first, fore(-father) (-most), former (thing), of old time, past.

Reference gloss from Strong's Concordance (1890, public domain).

Key verses BSB · Public Domain (CC0)

Isaiah 44:6 “Thus says the LORD, the King and Redeemer of Israel, the LORD of Hosts: “I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God but Me.” Revelation 1:17 “When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. But He placed His right hand on me and said, “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last,”

Original BibleDawn word study. Original-language data and the public-domain Strong's (1890) gloss are referenced; see sources.