אַחְזַי
𐤀𐤇𐤆𐤉
Achezay
H273 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Achzai: a personal name meaning 'Yah seizes' or 'Yah holds fast.' The term functions exclusively as a proper name and does not possess a common noun or verbal usage in biblical texts. It refers to a single figure listed in a postexilic genealogical context.
Semantic Range
proper name (personal name); no common noun usage
Root / Etymology
Formed from the verbal root אָחַז (ʾ-ḥ-z), 'to seize, take hold of,' with the theophoric element י (yod), commonly indicating an abbreviation of the divine name Yahweh. The form is likely a shortened theophoric name meaning 'Yah(weh) has seized/holds.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
אַחְזַי appears only in Nehemiah 11:13, among a list of priestly genealogies during the postexilic period. The name belongs to a priestly descendant mentioned as part of postexilic Jerusalem's inabitants. The rendering 'Achzai' is a transliteration; the related English form 'Ahasai' is found in some translation traditions, but represents the same Hebrew name. The theological significance attached to the root in theophoric names is declarative ('Yah seizes/holds'), but the term itself provides no direct insight into personal actions or character. The pattern is consistent with other Hebrew theophoric names where the divine name is suffixed. There is no evidence for a broader semantic or common noun usage; the name's referent is specific to this genealogical context. The English term 'Jew' does not accurately capture the priestly or genealogical identification in the original text, which is specific to postexilic Judeans tracing Israelite descent.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from אָחַז; seizer; Achzai, an Israelite; Ahasai.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
אחז (ʾ-ḥ-z) — to seize, grasp, hold fast
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2372 | חָזָה | he has grasped |
| H270 | אָחַז | he seized |
| H271 | אָחָז | he has grasped |
| H272 | אֲחֻזָּה | hereditary holding |
| H274 | אֲחַזְיָה | Yah Has Seized |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H273-01 |
אַחְזַ֥י | achezay | HNp |
Ahzai | Yah Holds-Fast | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H273-01 |
Nehemiah 11:13 | אַחְזַ֥י | achezay | HNp |
Ahzai | Yah Holds-Fast |