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עֹצֶם

𐤏𐤑𐤌

ʻôtsem

H6108 noun

SILEX Entry

Root עצם to be strong, be mighty, be numerous, be powerful

Definition

A state or quality of strength, power, or might, often referring to physical, social, or collective force; can also denote the substance or materiality of a group or person, as in the collective body or strength of a community.

Semantic Range

strength, might, power, collective force, substance, materiality, body (as in powerful entity or collected might)

Root / Etymology

From the root עצם, which conveys the notions of being strong, powerful, or robust. While the root intrinsically indicates a sense of strength or firmness, the noun עֹצֶם is a nominal form focusing on the abstract aspect of power, might, or substantial presence.

Historical & Contextual Notes

עֹצֶם is a rarer noun in Biblical Hebrew, used primarily in poetic or elevated language. While it broadly refers to strength or might (e.g., Deut 33:25), it can also suggest a collective body or the substance of a group, especially in passages that emphasize collective strength. This abstract usage contrasts with עֶצֶם ('bone'), which refers to the physical structure, though both are derived from the same root and share the sense of solidity or firmness. English translations such as 'might' or 'strength' may not always convey the full nuance, especially the potential sense of substance or collective force. Usage remains relatively consistent without significant evolution throughout the biblical period. Later Hebrew and post-biblical sources extend the word's semantic field but the Biblical usage remains anchored in the concept of potent substance or power.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from עָצַם; power; hence, body; might, strong, substance.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

עצם (ʿ-ṣ-m) — strength, might, power, firmness, numerousness

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H6099 עָצוּם mighty
H6105 עָצַם you grew mighty
H6106 עֶצֶם my bones
H6109 עׇצְמָה mightiness
H6110 עַצֻּמָה your weighty matters

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6108-03 וְ/עֹ֣צֶם veotsem HC/Ncmsc and-the-might and strength-of 1
H6108-02 בְּ/עֹ֖צֶם beotsem HR/Ncmsc with the strength in strength of 1
H6108-01 עָצְמִ֗/י atsemi HNcmsc/Sp1cs my frame my might 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6108-03 Deuteronomy 8:17 וְ/עֹ֣צֶם veotsem HC/Ncmsc and-the-might and strength-of
H6108-01 Psalms 139:15 עָצְמִ֗/י atsemi HNcmsc/Sp1cs my frame my might
H6108-02 Job 30:21 בְּ/עֹ֖צֶם beotsem HR/Ncmsc with the strength in strength of
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