finger
ets.ba denotes the digits of a hand, especially as used to apply blood in rites, make or signal, point, write, or measure.
The term most often identifies the digit used to dip, apply, or sprinkle sacrificial blood. Elsewhere plural forms name the digits of hands or feet in descriptions of bodies and actions, while singular uses occur in pointing, divine writing, and a thickness measurement.
Senses in use
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Ritual digit for blood application · dominant
Singular construct forms occur where a priest or Moses dips into blood, applies it to altar horns, or sprinkles it before the LORD. In Leviticus 4:6 the APB renders the priest dipping his finger in blood and sprinkling it before the curtain; Leviticus 16:14 likewise describes blood sprinkled on and before the mercy seat.
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Digits in bodily description and hand action · common
Plural construct forms identify digits as parts of hands or feet and as instruments of action. In 2 Samuel 21:20 the APB describes six digits on each hand and foot; in Proverbs 6:13 it renders a person signaling with his fingers, and in Song of Songs 5:5 it describes fingers covered with myrrh while opening the bolt.
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Single digit in divine writing or accusation · occasional
A singular construct form is associated with God writing on stone tablets in Deuteronomy 9:10 and Exodus 31:18. In Isaiah 58:9, the singular absolute form occurs in the command to stop pointing the finger alongside ceasing evil speech.
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Digits as a measure of thickness · rare
The plural absolute form marks a physical dimension in Jeremiah 52:21: the APB renders the pillar's thickness as four fingers.
In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB commonly makes the bodily reference explicit with “finger” or “fingers,” especially in blood-application instructions and descriptions of hands. It also presents the term within actions such as writing, pointing, signaling, and measurement; these are verse-level renderings rather than word-by-word alignments.