head
rosh denotes a person’s physical head and, by extension in the cited clauses, a leader, foremost position, or upper part.
The supplied verses most often use the term for leading persons or foremost rank within families, military groups, and tribes. It also names the physical head, the top or upper end of objects and terrain, and the person on whom blood, harm, or a course of action returns.
Senses in use
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Leader or foremost member of a group · dominant
Plural construct forms identify family and tribal leaders: in 1 Chronicles 15:12 the APB renders them as “heads of the fathers” among the Levites, and in 1 Chronicles 12:20 as “heads of the thousands” of Manasseh. Singular forms likewise mark precedence or command: 1 Chronicles 11:6 says Joab became “head,” while 1 Samuel 15:17 places Saul over the tribes of Israel.
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Physical head of a person · common
Construct singular forms occur with bodily actions and objects placed upon or removed from a person. In 1 Samuel 17:38 the APB renders a bronze helmet upon David’s “head”; in 1 Samuel 17:51 it renders David cutting off the Philistine’s head, and 1 Chronicles 20:2 describes a crown transferred from one king’s head to David’s.
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Top or uppermost part · occasional
The construct form marks an upper location or part of a nonhuman object or place. In 1 Kings 18:42 the APB renders Elijah going to the “top of Carmel,” while 1 Kings 7:19 and 1 Kings 7:35 describe features on the “tops” or “top” of pillars and stands; 1 Chronicles 14:15 refers to the tops of balsam trees.
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Person bearing returned blood or harm · occasional
In clauses of retribution, the construct singular form locates the return of blood, harm, or a person’s way upon that person. In 1 Kings 2:33 the APB renders blood returning “on the head of Joab,” and 1 Kings 8:32 renders the wicked person’s way brought “on his own head.”
In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB commonly presents the term with “head” or “heads,” including bodily references and group leaders; it also uses “top” or “tops” for elevated locations and structures. In several leadership clauses it uses “chief,” “commander,” or “head,”.