עוּץ

𐤏𐤅𐤑

ʻûwts

H5779 verb

SILEX Entry

Root עוּץ to advise, to consult, to deliberate

Definition

To give or receive counsel; to deliberate together or confer for advice. In various contexts, the verb denotes seeking, offering, or exchanging counsel, whether in formal assemblies, among leaders, or in private discussion. The sense includes both consulting for guidance and engaging in collective planning or decision-making.

Semantic Range

to seek or give advice, to consult together, to confer, to deliberate as a group, to exchange counsel, to plan jointly

Root / Etymology

From the root עוץ, which conveys the basic idea of giving or receiving advice, counsel, or guidance. The root is attested in verbal and nominal forms throughout the Hebrew Bible.

Historical & Contextual Notes

עוּץ functions primarily as a verb denoting the act of consulting or taking counsel, often in political, military, or judicial contexts among Israelite leaders, elders, or kings (e.g., 2 Samuel 15:12, 1 Chronicles 13:1). In wisdom literature, it can also refer to personal or moral guidance. The nominal form עֵצָה ('advice, counsel') is closely related and frequently appears in Proverbs and prophetic texts. Compared to similar roots like יעץ (ya‘ats, 'to advise'), עוץ emphasizes the process of consultation or exchange, rather than just the act of giving advice. English translations often use 'counsel' or 'consult,' but the nuance of collective deliberation is sometimes underrepresented. The term does not inherently carry the later legalistic or religious connotations associated with formal councils or synods; its basic usage is advisory and deliberative, whether positive or negative depending on the context.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to consult; take advice ((counsel) together).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

עוץ (ʿ-w-ṣ) — to advise, to consult, to deliberate

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H5780 עוּץ the Counsel-land Uz

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H5779-01 עֻ֥צוּ utsu HVqv2mp Devise Consult together 2

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H5779-01 Judges 19:30 עֻ֥צוּ utsu HVqv2mp take counsel Consult together
H5779-01 Isaiah 8:10 עֻ֥צוּ utsu HVqv2mp Devise Consult together