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אַצִּיל

𐤀𐤑𐤉𐤋

ʼatstsîyl

H679 noun

SILEX Entry

Root אצל to be prominent, to set apart, to separate, to distinguish

Definition

Forearm, prominent part of the arm or body; in architectural contexts, a projecting or prominent part of a structure, such as a wall ledge. The primary lexical meaning relates to something 'distinguished,' 'elevated,' or 'projecting.' In human anatomy, refers specifically to the upper segment of the arm between elbow and shoulder, and occasionally to a joint of the hand. In Ezekiel 41:8, it refers to an architectural projection, likely a raised platform or ledge forming part of the structure.

Semantic Range

forearm, upper arm, joint (of the hand); prominent or projecting part (of a structure); architectural ledge, distinguished person (in the plural)

Root / Etymology

Root: אָצַל (אצל), meaning 'to be prominent, to set aside, to separate, to withdraw.' The form אַצִּיל is a noun derived from this root and generally carries the idea of prominence or distinction — something that stands out or is set apart, whether in human anatomy (the forearm) or in architecture (a projecting ledge).

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical usage, particularly Exodus 24:11, אַצִּילִים ('leaders, nobles') refers metaphorically to those set apart or distinguished among the people, derived from the same root. However, the singular אַצִּיל most often relates to physical features: in human anatomy (1 Kings 6:5) it denotes a part of the arm, best understood as the upper arm or forearm, not just the joint or knuckle. In Ezekiel 41:8, the context is architectural; here, many modern scholars identify אַצִּיל as a structural ledge or raised portion, distinguishing it from the word for common partition or wall. English translations often render אַצִּיל rather narrowly ('knuckle,' 'joint,' 'armhole'), but these do not capture the full sense of 'prominent/raised part.' The term does not carry the later religious or cultural meanings associated with 'Jew' or 'Judaism'; any such connections are post-biblical and should not influence understanding of the word in early texts.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from אָצַל (in its primary sense of uniting); a joint of the hand (i.e. knuckle); also (according to some) a party-wall (Ezekiel 41:8); (arm) hole, great.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

אצל (ʾ-ṣ-l) — to be prominent, to set apart, to separate, to distinguish

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H678 אָצִיל set-apart ones of
H680 אָצַל you set apart
H681 אֵצֶל alongside
H682 אָצֵל Atsel (Set-Apart One/Place)
H683 אֲצַלְיָהוּ Yahweh-has-reserved

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H679-01 אַצִּֽילָה atsilah HNcfsa long projecting forearm 1
H679-02 אַצִּילֵ֣י atsiley HNcfpc wrists prominent ones of 1
H679-03 אַצִּל֣וֹת atsilot HNcfpc armpits prominent parts of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H679-03 Jeremiah 38:12 אַצִּל֣וֹת atsilot HNcfpc armpits prominent parts of
H679-02 Ezekiel 13:18 אַצִּילֵ֣י atsiley HNcfpc wrists prominent ones of
H679-01 Ezekiel 41:8 אַצִּֽילָה atsilah HNcfsa long projecting forearm
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