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חׇזְקָה

𐤇𐤆𐤒𐤄

chozqâh

H2394 noun

SILEX Entry

Root חזק to be strong, to strengthen, to prevail, to hold firmly

Definition

A state or quality of being strong, powerful, or forceful; frequently denotes strength or might applied with intensity, often in situations involving compulsion, enforcement, or harshness. In some contexts, refers to repairs or fortification work, emphasizing the application of strength.

Semantic Range

force, power, strength (applied or enforced), compulsion, vehemence, might (especially when applied harshly); enforcement of labor or repairs; compulsory work; repair or restoration (by forceful effort)

Root / Etymology

From the root חזק, meaning 'to be strong, to strengthen, to prevail.' The formation חׇזְקָה is a feminine noun pattern, indicating an abstract quality or state associated with the root idea of strength.

Historical & Contextual Notes

חׇזְקָה appears relatively infrequently and typically connotes an intensity or forcefulness that is applied—sometimes harshly or with excess (e.g., forced labor, compelled action, oppression, or enforced repair). In some passages, it refers specifically to the exertion of power or strength in community or administrative contexts (e.g., repairs or enforcement in the rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall in Nehemiah). Its nuance of intensity distinguishes it from more neutral terms like עֹז ('might, strength') or גְּבוּרָה ('heroism, valor'), which often connote inherent quality or virtue rather than applied or enforced strength. In post-exilic usage, especially in Nehemiah, חׇזְקָה is used in administrative records relating to forced labor or communal repair work. English translations sometimes overgeneralize it as 'might' or 'force,' but the connotation is often the forceful application of strength, not merely the quality itself. In some contexts it can refer concretely to a repair or strengthening action (particularly in construction or communal efforts), but always with the nuance of compulsion or intensity.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

feminine of חֹזֶק; vehemence (usually in a bad sense); force, mightily, repair, sharply.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

חזק (ḥ-z-q) — to be strong, to strengthen, to prevail, to hold firmly

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2388 חָזַק I will strengthen
H2389 חָזָק with firmness
H2390 חָזֵק and strong
H2391 חֵזֶק my strength
H2392 חֹזֶק with strength

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2394-01 בְּ/חָזְקָ֖ה bechazeqah HR/Ncfsa earnestly with forceful strength 3
H2394-03 וּ/בְ/חָזְקָ֛ה uvechazeqah HC/R/Ncfsa but with force and with forceful strength 1
H2394-04 בְ/חָזְקָֽה vechazeqah HR/Ncfsa by force in forceful strength 1
H2394-02 לְ/חָזְקָֽה lechazeqah HR/Vqc for-strengthening-it for forceful strength 1

Occurrences in Scripture

6 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2394-01 Judges 4:3 בְּ/חָזְקָ֖ה bechazeqah HR/Ncfsa mightily with forceful strength
H2394-01 Judges 8:1 בְּ/חָזְקָֽה bechazeqah HR/Ncfsa fiercely with forceful strength
H2394-04 1 Samuel 2:16 בְ/חָזְקָֽה vechazeqah HR/Ncfsa by force in forceful strength
H2394-02 2 Kings 12:13 לְ/חָזְקָֽה lechazeqah HR/Vqc for-strengthening-it for forceful strength
H2394-03 Ezekiel 34:4 וּ/בְ/חָזְקָ֛ה uvechazeqah HC/R/Ncfsa but with force and with forceful strength
H2394-01 Jonah 3:8 בְּ/חָזְקָ֑ה bechazeqah HR/Ncfsa earnestly with forceful strength
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