אָמֹץ
𐤀𐤌𐤑
ʼâmôts
H554 adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
A color term describing a certain type of horse in prophetic visions; most likely a reddish, red-brown, or chestnut hue. The term's exact chromatic value is uncertain, but it designates a specific category distinguished from related color descriptors for horses.
Semantic Range
red (chestnut, reddish, or bay)-colored (of horses); possibly strong or vivid color
Root / Etymology
From the root אָמַץ (אָמֵץ), meaning 'to be strong, robust, courageous.' The noun אָמֹץ likely extends the root sense of strength or vigor to a vivid or robust coloration—interpreted by context as a strong or bright color, often rendered red or chestnut in modern translations.
Historical & Contextual Notes
אָמֹץ appears only in prophetic literature (Zechariah 1:8; 6:2, 6) as a descriptor for horses seen in visions. Its precise chromatic meaning is debated: most modern interpreters align it with 'red,' 'chestnut,' or 'bay,' based on parallel terms (such as אַדְמֹנִי 'ruddy'), though some ancient versions interpreted the root sense as 'strong' and inferred 'swift' or 'fleet.' However, contextually 'color' is the intended sense. In later Hebrew, the word does not survive, and post-biblical tradition does not clarify the color. English Bible versions often use 'bay' (an equestrian term for a red-brown horse), but ancient Near Eastern color categories do not always match modern terminology.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
probably from אָמַץ; of a strong color, i.e. red (others fleet); bay.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
אמצ (ʾ-m-ṣ) — to be strong, robust, courageous
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3981 | מַאֲמָץ | strength-resources of |
| H531 | אָמוֹץ | Strong-one |
| H533 | אַמִּיץ | valiant strong one |
| H553 | אָמַץ | I will strengthen you |
| H558 | אֲמַצְיָה | Yahweh is strong |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H554-01 |
אֲמֻצִּֽים | amutsim | HAampa |
strong | robust-red ones | 1 |
H554-02 |
וְ/הָ/אֲמֻצִּ֣ים | vehaamutsim | HC/Td/Aampa |
and-the-strong-ones | and the robust-red ones | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H554-01 |
Zechariah 6:3 | אֲמֻצִּֽים | amutsim | HAampa |
strong | robust-red ones |
H554-02 |
Zechariah 6:7 | וְ/הָ/אֲמֻצִּ֣ים | vehaamutsim | HC/Td/Aampa |
and-the-strong-ones | and the robust-red ones |