מָזִיחַ
𐤌𐤆𐤉𐤇
mâzîyach
H4206 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A belt or girdle, typically of cloth or leather, worn around the waist and functioning as a fastening or a support, sometimes indicating a mark of status, office, or readiness for action. In some contexts, it refers specifically to a priestly or ceremonial sash.
Semantic Range
belt, girdle, sash, item worn around the waist for fastening, sign of strength or readiness, ceremonial band
Root / Etymology
From the root זָחַח (z-ḥ-ḥ), meaning 'to move, to flow, to slip,' and likely indicating something that slips or moves around the waist. The form מָזִיחַ (maziach) is a masculine noun derived from this root, denoting 'a belt' or 'girdle.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
מָזִיחַ appears rarely in the Hebrew Bible and is found in poetic or ceremonial contexts (Isaiah 23:10; Psalm 109:19). The related form מֵזַח (mezach) is essentially synonymous, with both terms used for articles worn around the waist. In ancient Israelite culture, belts and girdles were practical for holding garments in place, freeing the body for work or action, but also held symbolic value—indicating status (priestly or royal) or preparedness. English translations render it variably as 'girdle,' 'belt,' or 'sash,' which accurately reflect its core meaning, though the word sometimes conveys more than mere utility. In the priestly tradition, specialized girdles (such as the אַבְנֵט, avnet) are distinct terms, but מָזִיחַ may overlap in meaning in some texts. In later biblical periods, terms for belts or girdles do not always carry the same ceremonial or symbolic weight as in earlier texts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or מֵזַח; from זָחַח; a belt (as movable); girdle, strength.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
זחח (z-ḥ-ḥ) — to move, to slip, to glide
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2118 | זָחַח | he will be displaced |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4206-02 |
וּ֝/לְ/מֵ֗זַח | ulemezach | HC/R/Ncmsa |
and like a belt | and for a belt | 1 |
H4206-01 |
מֵ֥זַח | mezach | HNcmsa |
restraint | waist-belt | 1 |
H4206-03 |
וּ/מְזִ֖יחַ | umezicha | HC/Ncmsc |
and loosens | belt of | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4206-01 |
Isaiah 23:10 | מֵ֥זַח | mezach | HNcmsa |
restraint | waist-belt |
H4206-02 |
Psalms 109:19 | וּ֝/לְ/מֵ֗זַח | ulemezach | HC/R/Ncmsa |
and like a belt | and for a belt |
H4206-03 |
Job 12:21 | וּ/מְזִ֖יחַ | umezicha | HC/Ncmsc |
and loosens | belt of |