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חָזַק

𐤇𐤆𐤒

châzaq

H2388 verb

SILEX Entry

Root חזק to be strong, to strengthen, to hold fast, to prevail, to seize

Definition

To be or become strong, firm, or resolute—whether physically, mentally, or spiritually; to strengthen or make firm, to hold fast, to seize or take hold (of), to repair or restore, or to prevail. The word also carries nuances of being courageous, reinforcing, supporting, repairing, or recovering, depending on context. In certain cases, it conveys the idea of overcoming resistance or withstanding.

Semantic Range

to become strong, to be firm, to strengthen (another), to encourage, to be courageous, to repair, to restore, to seize, to take hold (of), to maintain, to withstand, to prevail, to be obstinate, to support, to recover, to fortify

Root / Etymology

From the root חזק, which conveys the sense of strength or firmness. The primary verbal stem (Qal) means 'to be strong, to become strong.' In other stems (Piel, Hiphil), it takes on causative or intensive meanings like 'to strengthen,' 'to make strong,' or 'to seize.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

חָזַק occurs widely in the Hebrew Bible, used both literally (physical strength, e.g., Samson's might, reinforced cities) and metaphorically (moral courage, steadfastness, or obstinacy). In military, political, or personal contexts, it may denote overcoming adversity, prevailing against enemies, or showing resolve. In the Hiphil form, it commonly means 'to strengthen or encourage'—such as YHWH strengthening individuals, or one person encouraging another. In exilic and post-exilic texts, the sense often includes restoring or repairing (e.g., the Temple or city walls). Contrasts may be seen with רָפָה (rapha, 'to grow weak, to relax'). The range in English translations can be broad due to this word’s versatility, sometimes narrowing its sense (e.g., 'be strong' for mental resilience, or 'repair' for physical restoration). LXX translations often split the sense between κρατύνω ('to strengthen') and ἐνισχύω ('to make strong'). Later rabbinic usage generally retains similar semantic domains. The English idiom 'be of good courage' comes from translations of חָזַק, but this does not always carry the full undertone of strength and firm resolve implied in the Hebrew. Usage in the deuteronomistic history frequently carries covenantal or divine connotations: being strengthened by, or for, YHWH’s purposes.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restrain, conquer; aid, amend, [idiom] calker, catch, cleave, confirm, be constant, constrain, continue, be of good (take) courage(-ous, -ly), encourage (self), be established, fasten, force, fortify, make hard, harden, help, (lay) hold (fast), lean, maintain, play the man, mend, become (wax) mighty, prevail, be recovered, repair, retain, seize, be (wax) sore, strengthen (self), be stout, be (make, shew, wax) strong(-er), be sure, take (hold), be urgent, behave self valiantly, withstand.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

חזק (ḥ-z-q) — strength, firmness, holding fast, prevailing, seizing

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2389 חָזָק with firmness
H2390 חָזֵק and strong
H2391 חֵזֶק my strength
H2392 חֹזֶק with strength
H2393 חֶזְקָה according to the forceful-control of

Word Forms

96 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2388-23 הֶֽחֱזִ֑יק hecheziq HVhp3ms repaired he strengthened 29
H2388-03 חָזַ֥ק chazaq HVqp3ms be strong he became strong 24
H2388-68 וַ/יֶּחֱזַ֥ק vayechezaq HC/Vqw3ms and grew strong and he became strong 16
H2388-15 חִזְק֣וּ chizequ HVqv2mp be strong be strong 12
H2388-62 וַ/יְחַזֵּ֤ק vayechazeq HC/Vpw3ms and strengthened and he strengthened 11
H2388-30 הֶחֱזִ֨יקוּ֙ hecheziqu HVhp3cp made repairs they strengthened 10
H2388-60 וַ/יַּ֣חֲזֶק vayachazeq HC/Vhw3ms and he seized and he made strong 9
H2388-35 לְ/חַזֵּ֣ק lechazeq HR/Vpc to repair to strengthen 9
H2388-70 וַ/יִּתְחַזֵּק֙ vayitechazeq HC/Vtw3ms and strengthened himself and he strengthened himself 8
H2388-41 מַחֲזִ֥יק machaziq HVhrmsa hold the one who strengthens 7

Occurrences in Scripture

290 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2388-61 Genesis 19:16 וַ/יַּחֲזִ֨קוּ vayachaziqu HC/Vhw3mp and the men seized and they strengthened
H2388-79 Genesis 21:18 וְ/הַחֲזִ֥יקִי vehachaziqi HC/Vhv2fs and hold and make strong!
H2388-68 Genesis 41:56 וַ/יֶּחֱזַ֥ק vayechezaq HC/Vqw3ms was severe and he became strong
H2388-03 Genesis 41:57 חָזַ֥ק chazaq HVqp3ms was severe he became strong
H2388-03 Genesis 47:20 חָזַ֥ק chazaq HVqp3ms was severe he became strong
H2388-70 Genesis 48:2 וַ/יִּתְחַזֵּק֙ vayitechazeq HC/Vtw3ms Then Israel strengthened himself and he strengthened himself
H2388-60 Exodus 4:4 וַ/יַּ֣חֲזֶק vayachazeq HC/Vhw3ms and seized and he made strong
H2388-01 Exodus 4:21 אֲחַזֵּ֣ק achazeq HVpi1cs will harden I will strengthen
H2388-68 Exodus 7:13 וַ/יֶּחֱזַק֙ vayechezaq HC/Vqw3ms And was hardened and he became strong
H2388-68 Exodus 7:22 וַ/יֶּחֱזַ֤ק vayechezaq HC/Vqw3ms and was hardened and he became strong
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