אָצִיל
𐤀𐤑𐤉𐤋
ʼâtsîyl
H678 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Projecting part or extremity, such as an edge, border, or outlying region; also, by extension, one who is set apart or distinguished, especially a person of high rank or nobility. The term denotes both a physical outlying part (as in extremity of a location) and metaphorically refers to individuals separated or elevated in status within society (leader, noble, dignitary).
Semantic Range
projecting part, extremity, border, edge; person set apart, noble, dignitary, chief man
Root / Etymology
From the root אָצַל meaning 'to reserve, separate, set apart.' The noun אָצִיל is formed as a denominative, originally referring to an outlying or projecting part, and by metaphorical extension comes to denote someone 'set apart' socially or by rank as a leading or noble person.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Isaiah 41:9, אָצִיל appears in the phrase 'from the extremities of its (the earth's) sides,' emphasizing an outlying or bordering region. In later biblical and post-biblical Hebrew, the sense of 'noble' or 'dignitary' becomes more prominent, describing persons of leading status or authority. This use aligns with a wider semantic phenomenon in Semitic languages where terms for extremities or outlying parts develop metaphorically to denote persons set apart for prominence or honor. The term is distinct from other designations for leaders such as שַׂר (prince, chief) or נָשִׂיא (chieftain, leader), focusing on the aspect of being 'set apart' rather than direct authority or lineage. English translations vary, sometimes rendering as 'chief man,' 'noble,' or 'extremity,' but do not always capture the word's dual nuance of physical edge and social distinction. The use of 'noble' in some translations can retrospectively introduce connotations of hereditary nobility that were not fully present in the pre-exilic monarchy but reflect later developments in social terminology.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from אָצַל (in its secondary sense of separation); an extremity (Isaiah 41:9), also a noble; chief man, noble.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
אצל (ʾ-ṣ-l) — to reserve, to set apart, to separate
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H679 | אַצִּיל | projecting forearm |
| H680 | אָצַל | you set apart |
| H681 | אֵצֶל | alongside |
| H682 | אָצֵל | Atsel (Set-Apart One/Place) |
| H683 | אֲצַלְיָהוּ | Yahweh-has-reserved |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H678-02 |
וּ/מֵ/אֲצִילֶ֖י/הָ | umeatsileyha | HC/R/Ncmpc/Sp3fs |
and from its farthest parts | and from her extremities | 1 |
H678-01 |
אֲצִילֵי֙ | atsiley | HNcmpc |
the nobles | set-apart ones of | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H678-01 |
Exodus 24:11 | אֲצִילֵי֙ | atsiley | HNcmpc |
the nobles | set-apart ones of |
H678-02 |
Isaiah 41:9 | וּ/מֵ/אֲצִילֶ֖י/הָ | umeatsileyha | HC/R/Ncmpc/Sp3fs |
and from its farthest parts | and from her extremities |