אָצַר
to store up
Definition
The Hebrew verb אָצַר (ʼâtsar) means to store up, treasure, or accumulate goods, typically for future use. It often refers to the deliberate act of gathering and preserving valuable items like food, wealth, or resources, as seen when Hezekiah's treasures are stored up (2 Kings 20:17, Isaiah 39:6). In a broader sense, it can imply hoarding or amassing possessions, sometimes with a negative connotation of greed or injustice, such as in Amos 3:10 where it describes storing up violence and robbery. The word also appears in a positive context of faithful stewardship, as in Nehemiah 13:13 where temple offerings are stored up for distribution to priests and Levites.
Biblical Usage
אָצַר is used five times in the Old Testament, primarily in historical and prophetic books. It appears in narratives about royal treasuries (2 Kings 20:17, Isaiah 39:6) and temple administration (Nehemiah 13:13), emphasizing careful preservation. In prophetic literature, it takes on a metaphorical tone, as in Amos 3:10 where Israel is accused of storing up violence and oppression, and Isaiah 23:18 where Tyre's merchandise is stored up for God's people. The usage spans both literal storage of physical goods and figurative accumulation of abstract evils.
Etymology
אָצַר is a primitive root in Hebrew, meaning its origin is not derived from other Hebrew words. It is related to the concept of gathering or collecting, with cognates in other Semitic languages like Aramaic and Ugaritic that also convey storing or treasuring. The root implies intentional accumulation, often for security or future benefit, and its meaning has remained consistent in biblical usage.
Semantic Range
This word highlights themes of stewardship, judgment, and divine sovereignty. In passages like Amos 3:10, storing up violence reflects human sin and impending divine retribution, underscoring God's justice. Conversely, in Nehemiah 13:13, storing temple resources illustrates faithful obedience and provision for worship. Understanding אָצַר enriches Bible reading by revealing how material accumulation can be either wise (as in God's blessings) or corrupt (as in greed), pointing to broader biblical teachings on wealth, responsibility, and God's ultimate control over human treasures.
In ancient Israelite culture, storing up goods was essential for survival, especially in an agrarian society where harvests needed preservation. Treasuries, like those of kings (e.g., Hezekiah) or temples, symbolized power, security, and divine favor. However, hoarding could be seen as selfish or oppressive, as critiqued by prophets like Amos, reflecting societal tensions around wealth distribution. This contrasts with modern views of saving, which may lack the same moral or communal implications.
צָבַר (tsâbar, H6651) — emphasizes heaping or piling up, often in larger quantities; גָּנַז (gânaz, H6845) — means to hide or store away as a treasure, with a sense of secrecy; כָּנַס (kânas, H3664) — focuses on gathering or collecting, not necessarily for long-term storage.
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.
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