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אָחַז

𐤀𐤇𐤆

ʼâchaz

H270 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To seize or grasp, whether physically (with the hand) or metaphorically (as in taking possession or control). The verb can refer to taking hold of something or someone, capturing, fastening securely, or possessing land or objects. The sense may also involve being overtaken by an emotion or situation.

Semantic Range

to seize (with hands), to hold tight, to fasten, to take possession, to take hold of a person or object, to be overtaken (by emotion, fear), to grasp mentally or metaphorically

Root / Etymology

Root: אחז. From the root meaning 'to seize' or 'to grasp.' The verb form expresses the act of taking, holding, or fastening, and from this core action various extended meanings develop (such as possession or being overtaken by an experience).

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, אָחַז is used primarily to describe physically taking hold of an object (e.g., Gen 22:13—Abraham catches the ram by its horns, Exod 4:4—Moses seizes the serpent by the tail). The term extends metaphorically to denote taking possession of land (e.g., Deut 32:49) or being seized by fear or other emotions (e.g., Jeremiah 6:24—anguish seizes us). In some poetic passages, it may describe the arrival or overtaking of circumstances or entities (e.g., 'terror seizes them,' Exodus 15:14). In legal or ritual contexts, אָחַז can also mean 'to hold fast,' underscoring a secure grip or grasp (physically or by right, as in property). The English term 'possess' often narrows the meaning toward ownership; the biblical Hebrew usage is broader, emphasizing the act of seizing or holding, not always involving legal possession. Related verbs like תָּפַשׂ (ṭāfaś, 'to grasp, take hold of') or לָכַד (lāḵaḏ, 'to capture, seize') overlap in meaning but may nuance the means or manner of seizing (forceful capture vs. taking by hand). The usage of אָחַז remains largely consistent from earliest narrative accounts through poetic and prophetic texts, with both literal and extended/metaphorical senses attested. The root is productive in forming related nouns and participles indicating something or someone tightly held or grasped.

Translation Consistency

primary "seize" 14 occurrences

Seize best covers the dominant semantic range here: physical grabbing or fastening, taking possession or capturing, and the idiom of being overtaken (e.g. "seized by fear"). It matches the majority of existing renderings and is natural English for both concrete and figurative uses, allowing consistent inflection for all forms of H270.

Alternatives (4 occurrences):
"grippers of" (1x) "grasp" (1x) "that are caught" (1x) "attached" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession); [phrase] be affrighted, bar, (catch, lay, take) hold (back), come upon, fasten, handle, portion, (get, have or take) possess(-ion).

Bantu Hebrew

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

Root Family

אחז (Achaz) — to seize, to grasp, to take hold

Root אחז to seize, to grasp, to hold tight
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H271 אָחָז he has grasped
H272 אֲחֻזָּה hereditary holding
H273 אַחְזַי Yah Holds-Fast
H274 אֲחַזְיָה Yah Has Seized
H275 אֲחֻזָּם Grasped-One

Word Forms

53 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H270-12 אָחֻז֙ achuz HVqsmsa was taken seized seized 4
H270-01 אָחַ֞ז achaz HVqp3ms has gripped he seized he seized 2
H270-02 אָחֲזָ֥ה achazah HVqp3fs has seized she seized has seized 2
H270-07 אָ֝חַ֗זְתָּ achazeta HVqp2ms you have held you seized you seized 2
H270-14 אֲחוּזִ֑ים achuzim HVqsmpa supports seized ones fastened 2
H270-19 לֶ/אֱחֹז֙ leechoz HR/Vqc that it might take hold to seize to seize 2
H270-32 וַ/תֹּ֜חֶז vatochez HC/Vqw3fs And she held she seized and she seized 2
H270-34 וַ/יֶּאֱחֹ֥ז vayeechoz HC/Vqw3ms and they rested and he seized and he fastened 2
H270-35 וַ/יֹּאחֲז֣וּ vayochazu HC/Vqw3mp and they seized and they seized and they seized 2
H270-38 וְ/אָחַ֣ז veachaz HC/Vqq3ms and seized and he seized and he seized 2

Occurrences in Scripture

68 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H270-16 Song of Songs 2:15 אֶֽחֱזוּ echezu HVqv2mp Catch Seize! Seize
H270-08 Song of Songs 3:4 אֲחַזְתִּי/ו֙ achazetiv HVqp1cs/Sp3ms I held him I seized him I seized him
H270-13 Song of Songs 3:8 אֲחֻ֣זֵי achuzey HVqsmpc grippers seized ones of grippers of
H270-24 Song of Songs 7:9 אֹֽחֲזָ֖ה ochazah HVqh1cs I-will-take-hold let me seize let me seize
H270-41 Ruth 3:15 וְ/אֶֽחֳזִי veechozi HC/Vqv2fs and hold and seize! and seize it
H270-32 Ruth 3:15 וַ/תֹּ֣אחֶז vatochez HC/Vqw3fs And she held she seized and she seized
H270-44 Ecclesiastes 2:3 וְ/לֶ/אֱחֹ֣ז veleechoz HC/R/Vqc and to seize and to grasp
H270-29 Ecclesiastes 7:18 תֶּאֱחֹ֣ז teechoz HVqi2ms you will seize you will seize
H270-27 Ecclesiastes 9:12 שֶׁ/נֶּֽאֱחָזִים֙ sheneechazim HTr/VNsmpa that are caught those being seized that are seized
H270-18 Ecclesiastes 9:12 הָ/אֲחֻז֖וֹת haachuzot HTd/Vqsfpa that are caught the seized ones that are caught
H270-12 Esther 1:6 אָחוּז֙ achuz HVqsmsa hangings seized seized
H270-42 Nehemiah 7:3 וֶ/אֱחֹ֑זוּ veechozu HC/Vqv2mp and bar them seize! seize
H270-19 1 Chronicles 13:9 לֶ/אֱחֹז֙ leechoz HR/Vqc to hold to seize to seize
H270-12 1 Chronicles 24:6 אָחֻז֙ achuz HVqsmsa was taken seized seized
H270-39 1 Chronicles 24:6 וְ/אָחֻ֥ז veachuz HC/Vqsmsa and being taken seized one and seized
H270-12 1 Chronicles 24:6 אָחֻ֖ז achuz-2 HVqsmsa was taken seized seized
H270-20 2 Chronicles 9:18 מָאֳחָזִ֔ים maochazim HVHsmpa attached those fastened attached
H270-25 2 Chronicles 25:5 אֹחֵ֖ז ochez HVqrmsa grasping the one who seizes the one who seizes
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