← H1504 H1506 →

גְּזַר

𐤂𐤆𐤓

gᵉzar

H1505 verb

SILEX Entry

Root גזר to cut, to sever, to decide, to decree

Definition

To cut, sever, decree, or decide by authoritative determination. In Aramaic contexts, גְּזַר primarily refers to the acts of deciding or decreeing (as by a ruler or judge), or to literal cutting or separation. In post-biblical and later Aramaic, it may also refer to a soothsayer or diviner, reflecting someone who 'decides' or 'determines' fates or events.

Semantic Range

to cut, to sever, to decide, to determine, to decree (as in issuing a royal or divine decision), to interpret or decide omens (soothsayer in later contexts)

Root / Etymology

Root: גזר. The root ג־ז־ר fundamentally means 'to cut,' 'to sever,' or 'to divide.' The Aramaic verb גְּזַר (gᵉzar) is cognate with the Hebrew גָּזַר but is most frequently used in the sense of 'to decree' or 'to decide' by analogy with 'cutting a decision.' The semantic link between physical severing and authoritative decision is common in Northwest Semitic languages. In some later Aramaic, this concept extends to describe someone who determines fates (soothsayer).

Historical & Contextual Notes

The verb גְּזַר appears in the Aramaic portions of the Hebrew Bible, notably in Daniel, with the sense of 'to decree' (as in royal decrees or heavenly determinations), or 'to decide' a matter authoritatively. The physical sense ('to cut, to sever') is backgrounded but foundational to the legal and judicial figurative sense. The sense of 'soothsayer' or 'diviner' arises later by extension, as such a person 'determines' meanings from portents or dreams. In ancient Near Eastern legal and royal contexts, decrees are seen as inviolable once 'cut' or 'issued,' similar to 'engraving' an edict. English translations may limit the sense to 'decree,' but the underlying imagery is stronger: a definite, forceful, and unalterable decision. The Aramaic usage differs from most Hebrew texts, where גָּזַר more commonly means 'to cut' in the physical sense.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) corresponding to גָּזַר; to quarry; determine; cut out, soothsayer.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

גזר (g-z-r) — to cut, to sever, to decide, to decree

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1504 גָּזַר he cut off
H1506 גֶּזֶר the cut-off pieces
H1507 גֶּזֶר in Gezer
H1508 גִּזְרָה their separated portion
H1509 גְּזֵרָה cut-off tract

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H1505-04 וְ/גָזְרַיָּ֑/א vegazeraya AC/Vqrmpd/Td and my diviners and the decree-makers 2
H1505-01 גָּזְרִ֔ין gazerin AVqrmpa and soothsayers decreeing ones 2
H1505-03 אִתְגְּזֶ֨רֶת itegezeret AVip3fs was cut was decreed 1
H1505-02 הִתְגְּזֶ֤רֶת hitegezeret AVup3fs was cut out she cut herself off 1

Occurrences in Scripture

6 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H1505-01 Daniel 2:27 גָּזְרִ֔ין gazerin AVqrmpa diviners decreeing ones
H1505-02 Daniel 2:34 הִתְגְּזֶ֤רֶת hitegezeret AVup3fs was cut out she cut herself off
H1505-03 Daniel 2:45 אִתְגְּזֶ֨רֶת itegezeret AVip3fs was cut was decreed
H1505-04 Daniel 4:4 וְ/גָזְרַיָּ֑/א vegazeraya AC/Vqrmpd/Td and my diviners and the decree-makers
H1505-04 Daniel 5:7 וְ/גָזְרַיָּ֑/א vegazeraya AC/Vqrmpd/Td and the diviners and the decree-makers
H1505-01 Daniel 5:11 גָּזְרִ֔ין gazerin AVqrmpa and soothsayers decreeing ones
← H1504 Hebrew Lexicon H1506 →