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אָחַז

𐤀𐤇𐤆

ʼâchaz

H270 verb

SILEX Entry

Root אחז to seize, to grasp, to hold tight

Definition

To seize or grasp, whether physically (with the hand) or metaphorically (as in taking possession or control). The verb can refer to taking hold of something or someone, capturing, fastening securely, or possessing land or objects. The sense may also involve being overtaken by an emotion or situation.

Semantic Range

to seize (with hands), to hold tight, to fasten, to take possession, to take hold of a person or object, to be overtaken (by emotion, fear), to grasp mentally or metaphorically

Root / Etymology

Root: אחז. From the root meaning 'to seize' or 'to grasp.' The verb form expresses the act of taking, holding, or fastening, and from this core action various extended meanings develop (such as possession or being overtaken by an experience).

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, אָחַז is used primarily to describe physically taking hold of an object (e.g., Gen 22:13—Abraham catches the ram by its horns, Exod 4:4—Moses seizes the serpent by the tail). The term extends metaphorically to denote taking possession of land (e.g., Deut 32:49) or being seized by fear or other emotions (e.g., Jeremiah 6:24—anguish seizes us). In some poetic passages, it may describe the arrival or overtaking of circumstances or entities (e.g., 'terror seizes them,' Exodus 15:14). In legal or ritual contexts, אָחַז can also mean 'to hold fast,' underscoring a secure grip or grasp (physically or by right, as in property). The English term 'possess' often narrows the meaning toward ownership; the biblical Hebrew usage is broader, emphasizing the act of seizing or holding, not always involving legal possession. Related verbs like תָּפַשׂ (ṭāfaś, 'to grasp, take hold of') or לָכַד (lāḵaḏ, 'to capture, seize') overlap in meaning but may nuance the means or manner of seizing (forceful capture vs. taking by hand). The usage of אָחַז remains largely consistent from earliest narrative accounts through poetic and prophetic texts, with both literal and extended/metaphorical senses attested. The root is productive in forming related nouns and participles indicating something or someone tightly held or grasped.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession); [phrase] be affrighted, bar, (catch, lay, take) hold (back), come upon, fasten, handle, portion, (get, have or take) possess(-ion).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

אחז (ʾ-ḥ-z) — to seize, to grasp, to hold tight

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2372 חָזָה he has grasped
H271 אָחָז he has grasped
H272 אֲחֻזָּה hereditary holding
H273 אַחְזַי Yah Holds-Fast
H274 אֲחַזְיָה Yah Has Seized

Word Forms

53 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H270-12 אָחֻ֣ז achuz HVqsmsa was taken seized 4
H270-02 אָחֲזָ֥ה achazah HVqp3fs has seized she seized 2
H270-38 וְ/אָחַ֣ז veachaz HC/Vqq3ms and seized and he seized 2
H270-07 אָ֝חַ֗זְתָּ achazeta HVqp2ms you have held you seized 2
H270-40 וֶ/אֱחֹ֖ז veechoz HC/Vqv2ms and grasp and seize! 2
H270-34 וַ/יֶּאֱחֹ֞ז vayeechoz HC/Vqw3ms and they rested and he seized 2
H270-14 אֲחוּזִ֑ים achuzim HVqsmpa supports seized ones 2
H270-35 וַ/יֹּאחֲז֣וּ vayochazu HC/Vqw3mp and they seized and they seized 2
H270-43 וְ/הֵֽאָחֲז֖וּ veheachazu HC/VNv2mp and acquire and be seized 2
H270-19 לֶ֭/אֱחֹז leechoz HR/Vqc that it might take hold to seize 2

Occurrences in Scripture

68 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H270-22 Genesis 22:13 נֶאֱחַ֥ז neechaz HVNp3ms caught was seized
H270-26 Genesis 25:26 אֹחֶ֨זֶת֙ ochezet HVqrfsa was grasping grasping one
H270-43 Genesis 34:10 וְ/הֵֽאָחֲז֖וּ veheachazu HC/VNv2mp and acquire and be seized
H270-33 Genesis 47:27 וַ/יֵּאָחֲז֣וּ vayeachazu HC/VNw3mp and they acquired and they were seized
H270-40 Exodus 4:4 וֶ/אֱחֹ֖ז veechoz HC/Vqv2ms and grasp and seize!
H270-01 Exodus 15:14 אָחַ֔ז achaz HVqp3ms has gripped he seized
H270-49 Exodus 15:15 יֹֽאחֲזֵ֖/מוֹ yochazemo HVqi3ms/Sp3mp grips them he will seize them
H270-12 Numbers 31:30 אָחֻ֣ז achuz HVqsmsa portion seized
H270-17 Numbers 31:47 הָֽ/אָחֻז֙ haachuz HTd/Vqsmsa the taken portion seized one
H270-45 Numbers 32:30 וְ/נֹֽאחֲז֥וּ venochazu HC/VNq3cp they shall have possessions and they were seized
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