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גָּזַר

𐤂𐤆𐤓

gâzar

H1504 verb

SILEX Entry

Root גזר to cut, sever, divide, separate

Definition

To cut, especially with decisive action; to sever physically (cut, divide, slice) or metaphorically (decree, determine, separate, exclude). The verb is used both for literal acts of cutting, such as hewing or dividing objects, and for pronouncements or decisions that create boundaries or distinctions, especially decrees or authoritative decisions. In some contexts, it can mean to exclude or cast away.

Semantic Range

to cut, to sever, to divide, to slice, to decide (figuratively), to decree, to issue an edict, to exclude, to separate, to snatch away

Root / Etymology

Root: גָּזַר, meaning 'to cut, sever, divide.' The core meaning relates to a physical act of separating by cutting. Derived from this concrete sense, the verb developed a figurative use of 'making a decree' or 'issuing an authoritative decision,' as such decrees were seen as separating or defining outcomes. Nouns derived from this root often refer to a 'portion cut off' (e.g. גְּזֵרָה being an edict or decree; גֶּזֶר meaning portion, piece).

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, גָּזַר is used in a range of contexts. In narrative texts, it often refers to the literal act of cutting or dividing objects, sometimes in ritual settings (as with dividing animals for a covenant, cf. Gen 15:10). In poetic and prophetic literature, the word more often appears in the sense of issuing decrees or determining fates, as in Daniel 4:24 [English 4:21], where it is used for a divine or royal decree. The metaphorical use, 'to decree or decide,' reflects the ancient Near Eastern conception of authority as establishing or 'cutting' legal or cosmic realities. The act of separating often carries a sense of exclusion or boundary-making, resonant in contexts that speak of separating out (cf. Isa 53:8, 'he was cut off from the land of the living'). In later periods, related nouns (e.g. גְּזֵרָה) are used for written or spoken edicts. English translations sometimes render the verb as 'cut off,' 'decide,' or 'decree,' but individual contexts may use more nuanced language. The figurative sense may overlap with other roots meaning 'to separate' (e.g. בָּדַל), but גָּזַר specifically involves decisive action, often with authority or force.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to cut down or off; (figuratively) to destroy, divide, exclude, or decide; cut down (off), decree, divide, snatch.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

גזר (g-z-r) — cutting, severing, dividing, separating

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1505 גְּזַר decreeing ones
H1506 גֶּזֶר the cut-off pieces
H1507 גֶּזֶר in Gezer
H1508 גִּזְרָה their separated portion
H1509 גְּזֵרָה cut-off tract

Word Forms

11 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H1504-05 נִגְזַר֙ nigezar HVNp3ms he was cut off he was cut off 3
H1504-08 נִגְזָֽרוּ nigezaru HVNp3cp are cut off were cut off 1
H1504-06 נִגְזַ֥רְנוּ nigezarenu HVNp1cp we are cut off we have been cut off 1
H1504-11 וְֽ/תִגְזַר vetigezar HC/Vqi2ms you will decree and you will cut 1
H1504-01 גָּזַ֤ר gazar HVqp3ms cut off he cut off 1
H1504-07 נִגְזָֽרְתִּי nigezareti HVNp1cs I am cut off I was cut off 1
H1504-10 וַ/יִּגְזֹ֤ר vayigezor HC/Vqw3ms and he cuts off and he cut 1
H1504-09 וַֽ/יִּגְזְר֖וּ vayigezeru HC/Vqw3mp and they cut down and they cut 1
H1504-04 לְ/גֹזֵ֣ר legozer HR/Vqrmsc to-the-one-who-divides to a cutting-one 1
H1504-03 גִּזְר֛וּ gizeru HVqv2mp cut Cut! 1

Occurrences in Scripture

13 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H1504-03 1 Kings 3:25 גִּזְר֛וּ gizeru HVqv2mp cut Cut!
H1504-02 1 Kings 3:26 גְּזֹֽרוּ gezoru HVqv2mp Divide him Cut!
H1504-09 2 Kings 6:4 וַֽ/יִּגְזְר֖וּ vayigezeru HC/Vqw3mp and they cut down and they cut
H1504-10 Isaiah 9:19 וַ/יִּגְזֹ֤ר vayigezor HC/Vqw3ms and he cuts off and he cut
H1504-05 Isaiah 53:8 נִגְזַר֙ nigezar HVNp3ms he was cut off he was cut off
H1504-06 Ezekiel 37:11 נִגְזַ֥רְנוּ nigezarenu HVNp1cp we are cut off we have been cut off
H1504-01 Habakkuk 3:17 גָּזַ֤ר gazar HVqp3ms cut off he cut off
H1504-08 Psalms 88:6 נִגְזָֽרוּ nigezaru HVNp3cp are cut off were cut off
H1504-04 Psalms 136:13 לְ/גֹזֵ֣ר legozer HR/Vqrmsc to-the-one-who-divides to a cutting-one
H1504-11 Job 22:28 וְֽ/תִגְזַר vetigezar HC/Vqi2ms you will decree and you will cut
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