עָצַם
𐤏𐤑𐤌
ʻâtsam
H6105 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To be strong, firm, or mighty; to become powerful or numerous. The verb conveys the idea of possessing or exhibiting great strength, intensity, or abundance, whether physically, numerically, or metaphorically. In certain contexts, it denotes closing or binding (particularly of the eyes), or crushing/breaking (particularly of bones).
Semantic Range
to be strong, to become strong, to be mighty, to be numerous, to become numerous, to grow in power or intensity, to close (the eyes), to bind tightly, to be firm, to crush or break (especially of bones)
Root / Etymology
From the root עצם (ʿ-ṣ-m), which at the root level means 'to be strong' or 'to be firm.' The noun עֶצֶם (ʿéṣem) means 'bone,' reflecting the sense of strength or solidity. The verbal usages derive semantically from the notion of being robust or powerful, extended metaphorically to increased quantity, intensity, or the physical act of closing tightly or crushing.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In early Israelite texts, עָצַם describes both physical strength (Deut 34:7: eyes not 'dim' or 'closed' with age; Ps 38:20: 'those who are mighty') and numerical increase or abundance (Gen 26:16: Isaac becomes 'too numerous'). It is often used for both individual and collective strength, whether of people (Deut 26:5: 'nation great, mighty, and numerous') or armies. The implicit sense of closing or shutting (especially of eyes) appears less frequently but is attested (Isa 29:10). The denominative verb form highlights the linguistic connection to 'bone,' signifying not merely anatomical reference but metaphorical strength, firmness, or unyielding nature. English translations such as 'be strong,' 'grow mighty,' or 'increase' capture most uses, but the nuance of firmness, durability, or abundance may be underappreciated in some contexts. Care should be taken not to conflate this root with others that focus narrowly on military strength (such as גבר) or mere quantity (such as רב).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; also denominatively (from עֶצֶם); to bind fast, i.e. close (the eyes); intransitively, to be (causatively, make) powerful or numerous; to crunch the bones; break the bones, close, be great, be increased, be (wax) mighty(-ier), be more, shut, be(-come, make) strong(-er).
Bantu Hebrew
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עצם (ʿ-ṣ-m) — strength, firmness, might, numerousness, tight binding
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H6099 | עָצוּם | mighty |
| H6106 | עֶצֶם | my bones |
| H6108 | עֹצֶם | my might |
| H6109 | עׇצְמָה | mightiness |
| H6110 | עַצֻּמָה | your weighty matters |
Word Forms
9 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6105-02 |
עָצְמ֣וּ | atsemu | HVqp3cp |
they are strong | they became strong | 10 |
H6105-08 |
וְ/עָצַ֤ם | veatsam | HC/Vqq3ms |
and shall become strong | and he became strong | 2 |
H6105-05 |
וַ/יַּֽעַצְמ֖וּ | vayaatsemu | HC/Vqw3mp |
and grew exceedingly strong, | and they grew strong | 2 |
H6105-06 |
וַ֝/יַּֽעֲצִמֵ/הוּ | vayaatsimehu | HC/Vhw3ms/Sp3ms |
and He made him stronger | and he made him strong | 1 |
H6105-04 |
וּ/כְ/עָצְמ֗/וֹ | ukheatsemo | HC/R/Vqc/Sp3ms |
and-when-its-strength | and as his growing-strong | 1 |
H6105-09 |
וְ/עֹצֵ֥ם | veotsem | HC/Vqrmsa |
and shuts | and strength-of | 1 |
H6105-07 |
וַ/יְעַצֵּ֖ם | vayeatsem | HC/Vpw3ms |
and has closed | and he made strong | 1 |
H6105-01 |
עָצַֽמְתָּ | atsameta | HVqp2ms |
you have become | you grew mighty | 1 |
H6105-03 |
עִצְּמ֔/וֹ | itsemo | HVpp3ms/Sp3ms |
his bones | he strengthened him | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
20 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6105-01 |
Genesis 26:16 | עָצַֽמְתָּ | atsameta | HVqp2ms |
you have become | you grew mighty |
H6105-05 |
Exodus 1:7 | וַ/יַּֽעַצְמ֖וּ | vayaatsemu | HC/Vqw3mp |
and grew exceedingly strong, | and they grew strong |
H6105-05 |
Exodus 1:20 | וַ/יַּֽעַצְמ֖וּ | vayaatsemu | HC/Vqw3mp |
and grew very | and they grew strong |
H6105-07 |
Isaiah 29:10 | וַ/יְעַצֵּ֖ם | vayeatsem | HC/Vpw3ms |
and has closed | and he made strong |
H6105-02 |
Isaiah 31:1 | עָצְמ֣וּ | atsemu | HVqp3cp |
they are strong | they became strong |
H6105-09 |
Isaiah 33:15 | וְ/עֹצֵ֥ם | veotsem | HC/Vqrmsa |
and shuts | and strength-of |
H6105-02 |
Jeremiah 5:6 | עָצְמ֖וּ | atsemu | HVqp3cp |
have increased | they became strong |
H6105-02 |
Jeremiah 15:8 | עָֽצְמוּ | atsemu | HVqp3cp |
have been multiplied | they became strong |
H6105-02 |
Jeremiah 30:14 | עָצְמ֖וּ | atsemu | HVqp3cp |
have made deep | they became strong |
H6105-02 |
Jeremiah 30:15 | עָֽצְמוּ֙ | atsemu | HVqp3cp |
are many | they became strong |