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אָזַר

𐤀𐤆𐤓

ʼâzar

H247 verb

SILEX Entry

Root אזר to gird, to bind around, to equip

Definition

To gird, to bind or fasten around (typically with a belt or sash); to equip or prepare oneself or another, especially for action or service. In broader contexts, can also convey strengthening, empowering, or enabling, derived from the action of girding oneself with necessary equipment or attire.

Semantic Range

to gird (literally tie or fasten a belt or sash), to prepare (oneself or another for action), to equip (with strength or weaponry), to empower, to bind around; to clothe or dress for readiness

Root / Etymology

The verb אָזַר derives from the root אזר, which primarily conveys the action of binding or girding, especially in relation to putting on a belt or girdle. The root meaning 'to gird' serves as the basis for both literal and metaphorical uses in the Hebrew Bible.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, אָזַר is often used in the literal sense of fastening a garment around oneself, such as cinching a belt or sash, especially in preparation for physical activity, work, or battle (e.g., 1 Samuel 2:4, 2 Samuel 22:40). Over time, its meaning extends to metaphorical uses, where 'girding' connotes strengthening or empowering, as seen when YHWH is said to 'gird' individuals with strength or might (Psalm 18:33). The act of girding was a culturally significant preparatory action, indicating readiness for movement, responsibility, or combat, distinguishing it from related roots such as חגר (ḥāgar—to gird, particularly with military or utilitarian emphasis). English translations often use 'gird,' 'equip,' or 'strengthen,' but sometimes miss the nuanced connection between the physical act and its metaphorical implications of readiness and empowerment. In later biblical periods, the metaphorical sense becomes more pronounced, especially in poetic and liturgical contexts.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to belt; bind (compass) about, gird (up, with).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

אזר (ʾ-z-r) — to gird, to bind around, to equip

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H232 אֵזוֹר girding-belt of

Word Forms

13 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H247-12 וַ/תְּאַזְּרֵ֣/נִי vateazereni HC/Vpw2ms/Sp1cs and-you-girded-me you girded me 2
H247-04 אֱזָר ezar HVqv2ms Gird up Gird yourself 2
H247-07 הִתְאַזְּר֣וּ hiteazeru HVtv2mp gird yourselves Gird yourselves 2
H247-08 מְאַזְּרֵ֣י meazerey HVprmpc who encircle yourselves with girding-ones of 1
H247-02 אָ֥זְרוּ azeru HVqp3cp are girded they girded 1
H247-10 תֶּאְזֹ֣ר teezor HVqi2ms gird up you will gird 1
H247-01 אֲאַזֶּרְ/ךָ֖ aazerekha HVpi1cs/Sp2ms I-will-gird-you I will gird you 1
H247-03 אָז֣וּר azur HVqsmsa girded girded one 1
H247-11 וַ/תַּזְרֵ֥/נִי vatazereni HC/Vpw2ms/Sp1cs and-you-have-girded-me and you girded me 1
H247-06 הִתְאַזָּ֑ר hiteazar HVtp3ms he-has-girded-himself he girded himself 1

Occurrences in Scripture

16 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H247-02 1 Samuel 2:4 אָ֥זְרוּ azeru HVqp3cp are girded they girded
H247-11 2 Samuel 22:40 וַ/תַּזְרֵ֥/נִי vatazereni HC/Vpw2ms/Sp1cs and-you-have-girded-me and you girded me
H247-03 2 Kings 1:8 אָז֣וּר azur HVqsmsa girded girded one
H247-07 Isaiah 8:9 הִתְאַזְּר֣וּ hiteazeru HVtv2mp gird yourselves Gird yourselves
H247-07 Isaiah 8:9 הִֽתְאַזְּר֖וּ hiteazeru-2 HVtv2mp gird yourselves Gird yourselves
H247-01 Isaiah 45:5 אֲאַזֶּרְ/ךָ֖ aazerekha HVpi1cs/Sp2ms I-will-gird-you I will gird you
H247-08 Isaiah 50:11 מְאַזְּרֵ֣י meazerey HVprmpc who encircle yourselves with girding-ones of
H247-10 Jeremiah 1:17 תֶּאְזֹ֣ר teezor HVqi2ms gird up you will gird
H247-05 Psalms 18:33 הַ/מְאַזְּרֵ֣/נִי hameazereni HTd/Vprmsc/Sp1cs who girds me the one girding me
H247-12 Psalms 18:40 וַ/תְּאַזְּרֵ֣/נִי vateazereni HC/Vpw2ms/Sp1cs and-you-girded-me you girded me
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