Original Word: עָזַז
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: `azaz
Pronunciation: ah-ZAZ
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-zaz')
Definition: To be strong, to prevail, to harden
Meaning: to be stout

Word Origin: A primitive root

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: - G2904 (kratos): Often translated as "strength" or "might," reflecting a similar concept of power and dominion.

- G2479 (ischus): Denotes strength or ability, used in contexts of physical or moral power.

Usage: The Hebrew verb "azaz" primarily conveys the idea of strength and firmness. It is used to describe physical strength, mental fortitude, or the hardening of one's heart. The term can imply both positive connotations, such as courage and resilience, and negative ones, such as stubbornness or obstinacy.

Cultural and Historical Background: In the ancient Near Eastern context, strength was a highly valued trait, often associated with leadership and divine favor. The concept of hardening one's heart, as seen in the narrative of Pharaoh in Exodus, reflects a cultural understanding of willful resistance against divine will. The Hebrew culture placed a strong emphasis on the heart as the center of decision-making and moral character.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to be strong
NASB Translation
became fixed (1), brazen (1), displays a bold (1), mighty (1), prevail (2), prevailed (1), prevailed* (1), show yourself strong (1), strengthens (1), strong (1).

[עָזַז] verb be strong (Late Hebrew id., Hiph`il, especially in bad sense, and especially derivatives עַז; Phoenician עז strength, also in proper name Lzb³³⁸; Aramaic be mighty, strong, compare Old Aramaic, Nabataean, Palmyrene proper name עזיזו Lzb³³⁸ Cook⁹⁰; Arabic be mighty, strong, Ethiopic id.; Assyrian ezêzu, be furious, ezzu, fierce); —

Qal Imperfect3masculine singular יָעֹז Psalm 9:20; Psalm 52:9, יָעוֺז Daniel 11:12; 3feminine singular תָּעֹז Psalm 89:14; Ecclesiastes 7:19, וַתָּ֫עָז Judges 3:10; Judges 6:2; Imperative masculine singular עוּזָּה Psalm 68:29 (but see below); Infinitive construct עֲזוֺז Proverbs 8:28; — be strong, prevail, וַתָּ֫עָז יָדוֺ עַלֿ Judges 3:10 and his hand prevailed against, so Judges 6:2; אַלתָּֿעֹז אֱנוֺשׁ Psalm 9:20; Daniel 11:12; absolute תָּעֹז יָָֽדְךָ Psalm 89:14 (of ׳י); of apparently strength of wicked Psalm 52:9; בַּעֲזוֺז עִינוֺת תְּהוֺם Proverbs 8:28 when the fountains of the deep grew strong, i.e. firm, fixed; but Oort Bi Toy read בְּעַזְּזוֺ when he made firm, fixed fast ("" בְּאַמְּצוֺ); עוּוָּה אֱלֹהִים Psalm 68:29 Che Bae and others shew thyself strong, O God, who, etc., compare Kö^{i. 363}; < ׳עוֺז הָא the might, O God, which, etc., Hup Du; הַחָכְמָה תָּעֹז לֶחָכָם Ecclesiastes 7:19 wisdom is strong for the wise. — לָעוֺז Isaiah 30:2 see עוּז.

Hiph`il Perfect3masculine singular חֵעֵז אִישׁ רָשָׁע בְּפָנָיו Proverbs 21:29 a wicked man maketh firm (sheweth boldness) with his face; so 3 feminine singular הֵעֵ֫זָה פָנֶיהָ Proverbs 7:13 (Ges^{§ 67dd} Kö^{i. 372}) she maketh bold her face.

harden, impudent, prevail, strengthen self, be strong

A primitive root; to be stout (literally or figuratively) -- harden, impudent, prevail, strengthen (self), be strong.

בַּ֝עֲז֗וֹז בעזוז הֵעֵ֥זָה הֵעֵ֬ז העז העזה וַתָּ֣עָז וַתָּ֥עָז ותעז יָ֝עֹ֗ז יָעֹ֣ז יָעֽוֹז׃ יעוז׃ יעז לָעוֹז֙ לעוז עוּזָּ֥ה עוזה תָּעֹ֣ז תָּעֹ֥ז תעז ‘ūz·zāh ‘ūzzāh ba‘ăzōwz ba·‘ă·zō·wz baaZoz hê‘êz hê‘êzāh hê·‘ê·zāh hê·‘êz heEz heEzah lā‘ōwz lā·‘ō·wz laOz tā‘ōz tā·‘ōz taOz uzZah vatTaoz wat·tā·‘āz wattā‘āz yā‘ōwz yā‘ōz yā·‘ō·wz yā·‘ōz yaOzInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts