a.tsom describes becoming numerous or vast, and in some contexts becoming strong or making someone stronger.

The attested uses most often describe an increase to great number or extent, whether people, sins, thoughts, or opposition; other passages describe strength or superiority, and one Piel occurrence stands in a clause about crushing bones.

1. Become numerous or extensive · dominant

   In Exodus 1:7 and Exodus 1:20, Qal sequential imperfect plural forms occur as the people multiply and become exceedingly numerous. Qal perfect plural forms also occur where widows become more numerous in Jeremiah 15:8, sins are many in Jeremiah 30:14 and Jeremiah 30:15, and God's thoughts have a vast sum in Psalm 139:17; the APB presents these clauses in terms of number, abundance, or extent.

   Exodus 1:7Exodus 1:20Jeremiah 15:8Jeremiah 30:14Jeremiah 30:15Psalm 139:17
2. Become strong or surpass in strength · common

   In Genesis 26:16, the Qal perfect second masculine singular is addressed to Isaac in Abimelech's statement that he has become too powerful. Daniel 8:24 and Daniel 11:23 use Qal sequential perfect singular forms in descriptions of a figure becoming strong, while Psalm 105:24 uses a Hiphil sequential imperfect singular in the clause that God made his people stronger than their foes.

   Genesis 26:16Daniel 8:24Daniel 11:23Psalm 105:24Isaiah 31:1
3. Crush in an act of violence · rare

   Jeremiah 50:17 has the sole Piel perfect singular occurrence in the statement that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has crushed Israel's bones; the APB renders the action as "crushed his bones."

   Jeremiah 50:17

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB presents the term's contexts with wording such as "numerous," "vast," "strong," "stronger," and, in Jeremiah 50:17, "crushed his bones." These expressions indicate the clauses' overall presentation rather than fixed translations of each form.