חָזֵק
𐤇𐤆𐤒
châzêq
H2390 adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Having strength, being strong, characterized by power or force. The adjective חָזֵק indicates inherent strength, vigor, or might—whether of persons, nations, hands, hearts, voices, or objects. In extended senses, it can refer to being fortified, courageous, or intense in effect. The term occurs with both physical and metaphorical nuances, including durability or persistence.
Semantic Range
strong (physically, emotionally, or morally), powerful, mighty, fortified, intense, durable, loud/intense (of a voice or sound), courageous
Root / Etymology
חזק is the root (חָזַק, 'to be strong, to strengthen, to make firm'). The adjective חָזֵק is a stative/qualitative formation from this root, describing something or someone as 'strong' or 'powerful,' rather than denoting the action of becoming strong or causing strength.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, חָזֵק is used to describe individuals who are powerful in body (e.g., a strong warrior), or mental/spiritual resolve (e.g., strong-hearted). It is also applied to hands, arms, or other body parts to denote capacity or effect. Occasionally, it applies to non-human subjects, such as a strong wind or a fortified structure. In the legal or military context, it can describe a fortified (strong) city or gate. References to 'waxing stronger' or 'being loud' (e.g., a voice or noise becoming stronger) are idiomatic uses, highlighting intensity rather than volume per se. The term is distinct from עָצוּם (ʿātsûm, 'numerous, mighty'), which focuses more on magnitude or mass, and גִּבּוֹר (gibbôr, 'mighty, warrior'), which often emphasizes heroic or martial strength. Over time, חָזֵק retained its core sense but its applications broadened, especially in later texts, to include moral and psychological dimensions of strength. In English translations, it is often rendered 'strong' or 'mighty,' but the range of use in Hebrew is somewhat broader, including figurative and idiomatic expressions.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from חָזַק; powerful; [idiom] wax louder, stronger.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
חזק (ḥ-z-q) — strength, firmness, making firm
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2388 | חָזַק | I will strengthen |
| H2389 | חָזָק | with firmness |
| H2391 | חֵזֶק | my strength |
| H2392 | חֹזֶק | with strength |
| H2393 | חֶזְקָה | according to the forceful-control of |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2390-01 |
וְ/חָזֵ֣ק | vechazeq | HC/Aamsa |
and strong | and strong | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2390-01 |
Exodus 19:19 | וְ/חָזֵ֣ק | vechazeq | HC/Aamsa |
and strong | and strong |
H2390-01 |
2 Samuel 3:1 | וְ/חָזֵ֔ק | vechazeq | HC/Aamsa |
and strong | and strong |