עָזַב
𐤏𐤆𐤁
ʻâzab
H5800 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To leave, abandon, or forsake someone or something, often with a sense of withdrawal of association, support, or protection. Used both literally (leaving a place or object) and figuratively (abandoning a person, commitment, or responsibility). May also indicate neglect or ceasing to maintain something or someone.
Semantic Range
to leave, to abandon, to forsake (persons, places, objects, responsibilities), to neglect, to let go, to permit (by withdrawing restraint); to desert or withdraw support; to release or relinquish
Root / Etymology
From the root עזב, which at root level means 'to leave, abandon'. The verb עָזַב is the primary denominative form from this root and is a common verb in Hebrew with a consistent sense of removal, withdrawal, or relinquishment. There are no credible cognates with divergent meanings in Northwest Semitic languages.
Historical & Contextual Notes
עָזַב appears frequently in narratives and poetry throughout the Hebrew Bible, with its core application centered on departure or abandonment. In early Israelite texts, it often refers to leaving a location (e.g., land or city), forsaking an individual (e.g., spouse, kin), or abandoning covenantal obligations—especially in prophetic literature, which frequently uses the term for Israel's religious apostasy ('forsaking YHWH'). It contrasts with verbs like שָׁאַר (to remain) and שָׁב (to return, turn back). While standard English translations typically use 'forsake', 'abandon', or 'leave', the Hebrew nuance can be more forceful, conveying intentional and sometimes permanent severance. In some contexts (e.g., permitting or allowing something to happen), the meaning can shade into 'let go' or 'stop restraining', but always with the force of removing close attention or attachment. There is no inherent theological implication; any religious or ethical import derives from context, not from the lexical meaning itself. Usage remains stable across the canonical periods, though post-exilic speeches emphasize theological infidelity more heavily.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc.; commit self, fail, forsake, fortify, help, leave (destitute, off), refuse, [idiom] surely.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
עזב (ʿ-z-b) — to leave, abandon, forsake
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H5801 | עִזָּבוֹן | your relinquished goods |
| H5805 | עֲזוּבָה | the abandoned one |
| H5806 | עֲזוּבָה | Forsaken woman |
Word Forms
94 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5800-21 |
עָזְב֖וּ | azevu | HVqp3cp |
they have forsaken | they abandoned | 16 |
H5800-76 |
וַ/יַּעֲזֹ֣ב | vayaazov | HC/Vqw3ms |
and he left | and he abandoned | 14 |
H5800-73 |
וַ/יַּעַזְב֤וּ | vayaazevu | HC/Vqw3mp |
and they abandoned | and they abandoned | 12 |
H5800-01 |
עָזַ֥ב | azav | HVqp3ms |
has forsaken | he abandoned | 11 |
H5800-58 |
תַּעֲזֹ֖ב | taazov | HVqi2ms |
forsake | you will abandon | 8 |
H5800-17 |
עֲזָב֗וּ/נִי | azavuni | HVqp3cp/Sp1cs |
they have forsaken me | they have abandoned me | 7 |
H5800-92 |
יַעֲזֹ֤ב | yaazov | HVqi3ms |
commits | he will abandon | 7 |
H5800-10 |
עֲזַבְתֶּ֣ם | azavetem | HVqp2mp |
have-forsaken | you have abandoned | 7 |
H5800-24 |
עֲזוּבָ֛ה | azuvah | HVqsfsa |
forsaken | Forsaken woman | 5 |
H5800-54 |
תַּֽ֝עַזְבֵ֗/נִי | taazeveni | HVqj2ms/Sp1cs |
forsake me | may you abandon me | 5 |
Occurrences in Scripture
215 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5800-86 |
Genesis 2:24 | יַֽעֲזָב | yaazav | HVqi3ms |
shall leave | he will abandon |
H5800-01 |
Genesis 24:27 | עָזַ֥ב | azav | HVqp3ms |
forsaken | he abandoned |
H5800-28 |
Genesis 28:15 | אֶֽעֱזָבְ/ךָ֔ | eezavekha | HVqi1cs/Sp2ms |
I will leave you | I will abandon you |
H5800-76 |
Genesis 39:6 | וַ/יַּעֲזֹ֣ב | vayaazov | HC/Vqw3ms |
and he left | and he abandoned |
H5800-76 |
Genesis 39:12 | וַ/יַּעֲזֹ֤ב | vayaazov | HC/Vqw3ms |
and he left | and he abandoned |
H5800-01 |
Genesis 39:13 | עָזַ֥ב | azav | HVqp3ms |
he had left | he abandoned |
H5800-76 |
Genesis 39:15 | וַ/יַּעֲזֹ֤ב | vayaazov | HC/Vqw3ms |
that he left | and he abandoned |
H5800-76 |
Genesis 39:18 | וַ/יַּעֲזֹ֥ב | vayaazov | HC/Vqw3ms |
that he left | and he abandoned |
H5800-41 |
Genesis 44:22 | לַ/עֲזֹ֣ב | laazov | HR/Vqc |
leave | to abandon |
H5800-77 |
Genesis 44:22 | וְ/עָזַ֥ב | veazav | HC/Vqq3ms |
if he should leave | and he abandoned |