חֲזִיז
𐤇𐤆𐤉𐤆
chăzîyz
H2385 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A distinct meteorological phenomenon denoting a flash of lightning or a brilliant, short-lived burst of radiant energy in the sky, frequently associated with storms or manifestations of divine activity. Its semantic range includes both literal flashes of lightning and, by extension or poetic use, a phenomenon characterized by sudden brilliance or intense light that draws immediate attention.
Semantic Range
flash of lightning, dazzling glare, sudden burst of light
Root / Etymology
Root uncertain. Possibly derived from an unused root related to the concept of 'glare' or 'shine intensely.' The word is not directly attested elsewhere in Hebrew in a verb form, making the derivation hypothetical.
Historical & Contextual Notes
חֲזִיז appears rarely in the Hebrew Bible, with clear attestations primarily in poetic literature (cf. Psalm 77:19[18]). In these contexts, it refers to natural phenomena often associated with the theophanic displays of the Israelite deity—lightning accompanying storm imagery. The term differs from the more commonly used בָּרָק (baraq), which can denote both lightning and metaphorical speed or brilliance. חֲזִיז is more narrowly focused on the sudden luminosity of lightning rather than its speed. Late biblical and post-biblical Hebrew tends to favor other terms; by the Second Temple period, בָּרָק predominates. Most English Bible translations render חֲזִיז as 'lightning,' but this may obscure its possible nuance of overwhelming, dazzling glare. The translation 'bright cloud' (as in some older versions) is less supported by the context and likely arose from conflating this word with similarly sounding terms for clouds. No evidence links חֲזִיז directly to later terminology such as 'Jew,' nor does the word acquire religious meaning apart from its theophanic background in poetic usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from an unused root meaning to glare; a flash of lightning; bright cloud, lightning.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
חזז (ḥ-z-z) — to glare, to shine intensely
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2385-02 |
לַ/חֲזִ֥יז | lachaziz | HR/Ncmsc |
for the thunderbolt | glare-flash of | 2 |
H2385-01 |
חֲזִיזִ֑ים | chazizim | HNcmpa |
lightning-flashes | lightning-flashes | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2385-01 |
Zechariah 10:1 | חֲזִיזִ֑ים | chazizim | HNcmpa |
lightning-flashes | lightning-flashes |
H2385-02 |
Job 28:26 | לַ/חֲזִ֥יז | lachaziz | HR/Ncmsc |
for the thunderbolt | glare-flash of |
H2385-02 |
Job 38:25 | לַ/חֲזִ֥יז | lachaziz | HR/Ncmsc |
for the thunderbolt | glare-flash of |