אָצַל
to separate; hence, to select, refuse, contract
Definition
The Hebrew verb אָצַל (ʼâtsal) primarily means 'to separate' or 'to set apart,' but its usage in context yields a range of nuanced meanings. In its most positive sense, it means to select or reserve something valuable, as when God 'took' (separated) some of the Spirit from Moses to give to the seventy elders (Numbers 11:17, 25). Conversely, it can mean to withhold or refuse, as when Jacob lamented that Esau had 'taken away' (withheld) his blessing (Genesis 27:36). In architectural contexts, it describes something being made narrower or contracted, like the side chambers of the temple that were 'narrowed' (Ezekiel 42:6).
Biblical Usage
This verb is used only five times in the Old Testament, appearing in narrative, prophetic, and wisdom literature. Its meaning shifts significantly based on context. In Genesis 27:36, it describes Esau's perception of Jacob 'taking' his birthright and blessing—an act of wrongful separation. In Numbers 11:17, 25, it describes God's gracious act of 'taking' (setting apart) a portion of the Spirit. In Ecclesiastes 2:10, the Preacher says his heart found pleasure in all his labor, and 'this was my portion' (what was reserved for me). Finally, in Ezekiel 42:6, it is used in a technical, architectural sense for chambers that were 'narrower' than others.
Etymology
As a primitive root, אָצַל properly meant 'to join.' However, in biblical Hebrew, it is used almost exclusively as a denominative verb derived from the preposition אֵצֶל (ʼêtsel, H681), meaning 'beside, near, at.' This derivation suggests the core idea of setting something aside or apart from something else, which explains its semantic range from selecting to withholding.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it illustrates God's sovereign action in distributing spiritual gifts and authority. In Numbers 11, God 'takes' (אָצַל) from the Spirit upon Moses to empower the seventy elders, demonstrating that leadership and spiritual power are apportioned by divine grace, not human merit. It also touches on themes of blessing, inheritance, and loss, as seen in the story of Jacob and Esau, where the 'taking' of a blessing has profound covenantal consequences. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by highlighting the dual nature of separation—it can be an act of generous provision or painful deprivation, depending on God's purpose and human action.
In the cultural context of inheritance and blessing (Genesis 27), to 'take away' a birthright was a severe economic and social loss, stripping a son of his identity and future. The architectural use in Ezekiel reflects precise temple design, where the 'narrowing' of chambers had a specific, likely symbolic, function in the sacred space.
בָּחַר (bāchar, H977) — to choose or elect, often for a divine purpose, whereas אָצַל focuses on the act of separation itself. לָקַח (lāqach, H3947) — a more general term for 'to take' or 'receive,' without the inherent nuance of separation or reservation. מָנַע (mānaʿ, H4513) — to withhold or keep back, sharing the negative sense of refusal but lacking the positive sense of selection.
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 →