עוּז
𐤏𐤅𐤆
ʻûwz
H5756 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To seek or find refuge, to flee for protection, to take shelter; in causative forms, to provide refuge or deliverance, especially by aiding escape from danger. The term conveys both literal and figurative senses — escaping danger physically, or seeking protection metaphorically (e.g., from oppression or distress).
Semantic Range
to take refuge, to seek protection, to flee to shelter (oneself), to cause to escape, to save by flight or refuge, to retire (withdraw for safety), to gather oneself for fleeing
Root / Etymology
Root: עוז. Closely related to core meanings of 'strength' or 'might' (cf. עֹז), but here the derived sense narrows to actions that rely on strength for preservation — namely, to protect one's self by taking refuge. The verb's form underlines a movement toward safety, often emphasizing active seeking of protection. This verb may share a semantic relationship with Arabic cognates suggesting seeking safety or being protected.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, עוּז appears rarely and primarily in poetic or archaic contexts, such as in Psalms. Unlike the more common עזז (to be strong) or חָסָה (to seek refuge), עוּז typically emphasizes the action of fleeing to safety or taking shelter, rather than simply possessing strength or depending on divine protection. The root concept of 'strength' is implicitly present — protection or refuge is only effective if it is strong. In context, it can be reflexive (to take refuge oneself) or causative (to cause others to find refuge or to deliver). English translations often generalize as 'to escape', 'to seek refuge', or 'to deliver', but these can miss the nuance of seeking strength in shelter. Sometimes translated in traditions as 'to save' or 'to deliver', but this should be understood as deliverance by way of flight or refuge, not triumph in battle. Not to be confused with עזז ('to be strong, prevail') or מלט ('to escape', with a broader sense of rescue). Use of the term fades in later biblical Hebrew, and is largely supplanted by other verbs with more specialized meanings.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to be strong; causatively, to stregthen, i.e. (figuratively) to save (by flight); gather (self, self to flee), retire.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
עוז (ʿ-w-z) — to seek refuge, take shelter, flee for protection, deliver by refuge
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H5815 | עֲזִיאֵל | And God-is-my-strength |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5756-02 |
הָעִ֖יזוּ | haizu | HVhv2mp |
Seek refuge | Provide refuge | 2 |
H5756-03 |
הֵעִֽיזוּ | heizu | HVhp3cp |
have strengthened themselves to flee | they brought to refuge | 1 |
H5756-01 |
הָעֵז֙ | haez | HVhv2ms |
bring to safety | Provide refuge! | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5756-01 |
Exodus 9:19 | הָעֵז֙ | haez | HVhv2ms |
bring to safety | Provide refuge! |
H5756-03 |
Isaiah 10:31 | הֵעִֽיזוּ | heizu | HVhp3cp |
have strengthened themselves to flee | they brought to refuge |
H5756-02 |
Jeremiah 4:6 | הָעִ֖יזוּ | haizu | HVhv2mp |
Seek refuge | Provide refuge |
H5756-02 |
Jeremiah 6:1 | הָעִ֣זוּ | haizu | HVhv2mp |
Strengthen yourselves | Provide refuge |