עָצַל
𐤏𐤑𐤋
ʻâtsal
H6101 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To be slack, idle, or negligent; to show a lack of diligence or energy. The term is usually used of personal character in the sense of 'being sluggish, lazy, neglectful of responsibilities,' and at times carries overtones of failing to do what ought to be done, whether in labor, duty, or preparedness.
Semantic Range
to be idle, to be slack, to be negligent, to be lazy, to be remiss in action or duty, to lack diligence
Root / Etymology
Root עצל (ע-צ-ל). The core meaning of the root is 'to be slack, to be sluggish, to be idle.' The verb derives from this root and is used in various forms to describe the state of being slack or indolent. There are related nouns (עָצֵל) meaning 'sluggard' or 'lazy person.' Some propose it is onomatopoeic, imitating the notion of sluggish movement, but the etymology is straightforward and not uncertain.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The word עָצַל appears primarily in wisdom contexts, particularly Proverbs, to describe the character flaw of being sluggish or lazy—typically in contrast to diligence and industriousness. The noun form (עָצֵל) is often personified as 'the sluggard' in didactic texts, while the verb itself describes the action or state of being idle or slack. The focus is not merely physical laziness but often a moral failing: neglect of one’s responsibilities to family, community, or self. In late biblical usage, the word retains its sense of negligence, rather than any technical or specialized meaning. English translations usually render it as 'be slothful,' 'be lazy,' or 'be slack,' but these terms may not convey fully the nuances of negligence and irresponsible idleness present in biblical contexts. There is no technical sense of the word reserved for a particular profession or group. In contrast to verbs like רפה ('to relax, let drop') or עמל ('to toil'), עָצַל has a decidedly negative moral connotation and is not used neutrally.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to lean idly, i.e. to be indolent or slack; be slothful.
Bantu Hebrew
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+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
עצל (ʿ-ṣ-l) — slackness, idleness, negligence, sluggishness
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H6102 | עָצֵל | slack one |
| H6103 | עַצְלָה | slothfulness |
| H6104 | עַצְלוּת | habitual laziness |
| H682 | אָצֵל | lazy man |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6101-01 |
תֵּעָ֣צְל֔וּ | teatselu | HVNj2mp |
delay | may you all be slack | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6101-01 |
Judges 18:9 | תֵּעָ֣צְל֔וּ | teatselu | HVNj2mp |
delay | may you all be slack |