גֵּזֶל
𐤂𐤆𐤋
gêzel
H1499 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Unlawful taking, theft, or seizure of property through force or violence; denotes the act of plundering, robbery, or extortion, often with implied disregard for the rights and well-being of the victim. Used for overt acts of violent expropriation rather than stealth or deceit.
Semantic Range
robbery, forcible expropriation of property, extortion, acts of violent or forceful theft, plunder, (rarely) general violence or lawlessness
Root / Etymology
From the root גזל (g-z-l), meaning 'to tear away, seize, rob, plunder.' The noun גֵּזֶל (gêzel) is formed from this root, indicating theft or robbery as an act or its result. The root emphasizes forcible, often violent, removal rather than mere secret theft.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, גֵּזֶל typically refers to acts of theft involving force, distinguishing it from גְּנֵבָה (genēvah), which refers to stealthy theft or larceny. גֵּזֶל is more commonly used in legal or prophetic contexts—proscribed in the law codes (e.g., Lev 6:2–4; Ezek 22:29)—and condemned in prophetic denunciations of societal injustice and corruption (e.g., Isa 61:8). The concept includes extortion and taking property or rights by coercion. In the monarchic and post-exilic periods, the term often reflects concerns with social justice and the abuse of power, whether by individuals or rulers. English translations as 'robbery,' 'violence,' or 'plunder' capture most uses, but often the nuance of violent or forceful expropriation is obscured. The later noun גּוֹזֵל (gozēl, 'robber') is related and refers to the perpetrator. The Greek Septuagint renders the term variably, sometimes narrowing the sense to 'robbery' or 'extortion.' Modern English 'violence' does not always encompass the legal and property-focused nuance of the term in biblical Hebrew.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from גָּזַל; plunder, i.e. violence; violence, violent perverting.. gozal. See גּוֹזָל.
Bantu Hebrew
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+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
גזל (g-z-l) — tear away, seize, rob, plunder
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1469 | גּוֹזָל | his nestlings |
| H1497 | גָּזַל | he seized by force |
| H1498 | גָּזֵל | violent seizure |
| H1500 | גְּזֵלָה | forcible robbery |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1499-01 |
גֵּ֣זֶל | gezel | HNcmsc |
robbery | forcible plunder | 1 |
H1499-02 |
וְ/גֵ֨זֶל | vegezel | HC/Ncmsc |
and forcible plunder of | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1499-01 |
Ezekiel 18:18 | גֵּ֣זֶל | gezel | HNcmsc |
robbery | forcible plunder |
H1499-02 |
Ecclesiastes 5:7 | וְ/גֵ֨זֶל | vegezel | HC/Ncmsc |
and forcible plunder of |