אֹצֶם
𐤀𐤑𐤌
Otsem
H684 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Proper noun designating two individuals named 'Otsem' in the genealogical records of the Hebrew Bible. Though related to notions of strength or vigor, the actual lexical use is limited to its function as a personal name. The semantic range thus includes both the possible root meaning ('strong, vigor, might') and its exclusive attested function as the name 'Otsem'.
Semantic Range
personal name (Otsem), strength (as underlying meaning but unattested as a common noun); see also noun/adjective forms of the root ע-צ-ם elsewhere for general concepts of strength or greatness
Root / Etymology
From the root עָצַם (ע-צ-ם), meaning 'to be strong, to be mighty'. 'Otsem' is a noun form likely connoting 'strength' or 'vigor,' but its only attested use in the Hebrew Bible is as a proper name. The precise derivational process is unclear, as אֹצֶם appears only as a proper noun. The base root עָצַם is well-attested with meanings related to physical or figurative strength.
Historical & Contextual Notes
אֹצֶם (Otsem) appears only as a personal name in genealogical lists (1 Chronicles 4:20; 1 Chronicles 7:8), both referencing different individuals from Israelite tribal genealogies. The name derives from the root for strength (ע-צ-ם), but does not function independently with abstract or concrete senses elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible. Later translations (such as KJV) transliterate the name as 'Ozem,' but this reflects the Greek transcription tradition rather than a rendering of meaning. No evidence supports later ethnic, geographic, or religious identity associations with this name; it is exclusively Israelite in biblical context. The personal name may evoke strength as a desirable quality, fitting broader ancient Near Eastern naming patterns.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from an unused root probably meaning to be strong; strength (i.e. strong); Otsem, the name of two Israelites; Ozem.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
עצם (ʿ-ṣ-m) — strength, might, power, vastness
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H6099 | עָצוּם | mighty |
| H6105 | עָצַם | you grew mighty |
| H6106 | עֶצֶם | my bones |
| H6108 | עֹצֶם | my might |
| H6109 | עׇצְמָה | mightiness |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H684-01 |
אֹ֚צֶם | otsem | HNp |
Ozem | Otsem | 1 |
H684-02 |
וָ/אֹ֖צֶם | vaotsem | HC/Np |
and Ozem | and Otsem | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H684-01 |
1 Chronicles 2:15 | אֹ֚צֶם | otsem | HNp |
Ozem | Otsem |
H684-02 |
1 Chronicles 2:25 | וָ/אֹ֖צֶם | vaotsem | HC/Np |
and Ozem | and Otsem |