אָמַץ
𐤀𐤌𐤑
ʼâmats
H553 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To be or become strong, courageous, or resolute; to strengthen or make firm. In various contexts, אָמַץ describes both physical and inner fortitude—the act of exhibiting or imparting strength, confidence, or steadfastness. The term extends to emotional and psychological ‘strengthening’ (encouragement, assurance), as well as fortifying a position or resolve. It is often used in exhortations to assume courage or resolve in difficult circumstances.
Semantic Range
to be strong, to become or show courage or resolution, to encourage, to instill resolve, to strengthen (another), to fortify, to harden, to make firm, to prevail, to support
Root / Etymology
From the root א-מ-ץ, whose base sense is 'to be strong, to exhibit or instill strength.' The verb אָמַץ (Qal stem) means 'to be strong' or 'to show courage.' In other stems, such as Piel or Hiphil, it can take on causative nuance ('to strengthen, to make strong, to encourage'). The root is securely attested and belongs to a group of Semitic roots connoting strength and firmness; compare Ugaritic ʾms, Akkadian emēṣu 'to be strong.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, אָמַץ is frequent in contexts demanding courage or fortitude, notably in military, leadership, or faith-testing situations (e.g., exhortations to Joshua, leaders, or the people at moments of transition or danger: Deut 31:6, Josh 1:6-9). It can express both self-directed resolve ('take courage') and the act of supporting or reinforcing another person ('strengthen someone'). In post-exilic literature, the term is less prominent but retains its metaphorical connotations of inner fortification. The nuance can overlap with חָזַק (ḥāzaq, 'to be strong, prevail'), but אָמַץ is more frequently used for encouragement and mental fortitude, whereas חָזַק often emphasizes physical strength or victorious power. Some translations render אָמַץ with 'be of good courage' or 'be steadfast,' but these may not capture the breadth of its use in contexts of encouragement, strengthening, and support.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to be alert, physically (on foot) or mentally (in courage); confirm, be courageous (of good courage, stedfastly minded, strong, stronger), establish, fortify, harden, increase, prevail, strengthen (self), make strong (obstinate, speed).
Bantu Hebrew
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אמץ (ʾ-m-ṣ) — strength, firmness, resolve, courage
Word Forms
25 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H553-20 |
וֶ/אֱמָץ֒ | veemats | HC/Vqv2ms |
and courageous | be strong | 8 |
H553-03 |
אָמְצ֖וּ | ametsu | HVqp3cp |
they are stronger | they were strong | 4 |
H553-22 |
וְ/אִמְצ֔וּ | veimetsu | HC/Vqv2mp |
and courageous | and be strong | 3 |
H553-05 |
הִתְאַמֵּץ֙ | hiteamets | HVtp3ms |
hurried | he strengthened himself | 2 |
H553-14 |
וַ/יְאַמֶּץ | vayeamets | HC/Vpw3ms |
and he hardened | and he strengthened | 2 |
H553-23 |
וְ/יַאֲמֵ֣ץ | veyaamets | HC/Vhi3ms |
and He will strengthen | he will strengthen | 2 |
H553-11 |
תְאַמֵּ֣ץ | teamets | HVpi2ms |
harden | you will strengthen | 2 |
H553-19 |
וְ/אַמְּצֵ֑/הוּ | veametsehu | HC/Vpv2ms/Sp3ms |
and strengthen him | strengthen him | 1 |
H553-15 |
וַֽ/יְאַמְּצ֛וּ | vayeametsu | HC/Vpw3mp |
and they supported | and they strengthened | 1 |
H553-13 |
וַ֝/תְּאַמֵּ֗ץ | vateamets | HC/Vpw3fs |
and strengthens | and she strengthened | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
41 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H553-25 |
Genesis 25:23 | יֶֽאֱמָ֔ץ | yeemats | HVqi3ms |
shall be stronger | he will be strong |
H553-21 |
Deuteronomy 2:30 | וְ/אִמֵּץ֙ | veimets | HC/Vpp3ms |
and made strong | and he strengthened |
H553-19 |
Deuteronomy 3:28 | וְ/אַמְּצֵ֑/הוּ | veametsehu | HC/Vpv2ms/Sp3ms |
and strengthen him | strengthen him |
H553-11 |
Deuteronomy 15:7 | תְאַמֵּ֣ץ | teamets | HVpi2ms |
harden | you will strengthen |
H553-22 |
Deuteronomy 31:6 | וְ/אִמְצ֔וּ | veimetsu | HC/Vqv2mp |
and courageous | and be strong |
H553-20 |
Deuteronomy 31:7 | וֶ/אֱמָץ֒ | veemats | HC/Vqv2ms |
and courageous | be strong |
H553-20 |
Deuteronomy 31:23 | וֶֽ/אֱמָץ֒ | veemats | HC/Vqv2ms |
and-be-courageous | be strong |
H553-20 |
Joshua 1:6 | וֶ/אֱמָ֑ץ | veemats | HC/Vqv2ms |
and courageous | be strong |
H553-20 |
Joshua 1:7 | וֶֽ/אֱמַ֜ץ | veemats | HC/Vqv2ms |
and courageous | be strong |
H553-20 |
Joshua 1:9 | וֶ/אֱמָ֔ץ | veemats | HC/Vqv2ms |
and courageous | be strong |