אָחַז
to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession)
Definition
The Hebrew verb אָחַז (ʼâchaz) fundamentally means 'to seize' or 'to take hold of,' often implying a firm, secure, or lasting grasp. In a physical sense, it describes the act of grabbing something, as when Abraham 'seized' the ram in the thicket (Genesis 22:13). It extends to the metaphorical sense of taking possession, such as Israel 'taking possession' of the land (Genesis 47:27). In emotional contexts, it can mean to be seized by fear or terror, as the nations were when they heard of God's mighty acts (Exodus 15:14-15).
Biblical Usage
אָחַז is used 62 times across the Old Testament, appearing in narrative, legal, and poetic texts. It frequently describes physical grasping (Exodus 4:4), the taking of land or property (Genesis 34:10), and being overcome by strong emotions like fear (Exodus 15:15). A notable pattern is its use in contexts of inheritance and possession, linking physical action to legal or covenantal right. The verb appears in key stories, from Jacob grasping Esau's heel at birth (Genesis 25:26) to instructions about dividing spoils of war (Numbers 31:30).
Etymology
אָחַז is a primitive root verb. Its core meaning relates to grasping or holding fast. Cognates exist in other Semitic languages, like Ugaritic and Aramaic, with similar meanings of seizing or taking possession. The development from a physical action to concepts of legal possession and emotional capture is natural within the semantic field of this root.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it connects human action with divine provision and covenant. The act of 'seizing' is often in response to God's offering, such as Abraham seizing the divinely provided ram (Genesis 22:13), symbolizing substitutionary atonement. It is used for Israel taking possession of the Promised Land, framing conquest as an act of laying hold of God's promise. The emotional sense—being seized by fear of the Lord—highlights God's power to impact the human heart. Understanding this range enriches reading by showing how physical, legal, and spiritual 'taking hold' are intertwined in God's story.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, 'seizing' land or property was not merely a military act but a legal and social assertion of right and inheritance. The firm grasp implied by אָחַז carried connotations of permanence and legitimate claim, differing from a modern, more casual understanding of 'holding.' The emotional use reflects a worldview where profound feelings like terror were perceived as external forces that actively 'grasped' a person.
תָּפַשׂ (tāphas, H8610) — often a more general 'to seize' or 'handle,' sometimes with less permanence; לָקַח (lāqach, H3947) — primarily 'to take' or 'receive,' focusing on the acquisition rather than the firm grip; חָזַק (chāzaq, H2388) — 'to be strong' or 'to strengthen,' sometimes overlapping in the sense of holding fast, but with a greater emphasis on strength.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
Full methodology & sources →