אַצִּיל
a joint of the hand (i.e. knuckle); also (according to some) a party-wall (Ezekiel 41:8)
Definition
The Hebrew noun אַצִּיל (ʼatstsîyl) primarily refers to a 'joint' or 'socket,' specifically the knuckle joint of the hand or fingers. In Jeremiah 38:12, it describes the 'armholes' or openings in a garment, a meaning derived from the joint's function as a point of connection and movement. In Ezekiel 13:18, the word is used metaphorically for the 'joints of the hands' in a context of magical or idolatrous practices. A secondary, debated meaning appears in Ezekiel 41:8, where some interpreters understand it as a 'side-chamber' or 'party-wall' in the architectural description of the temple, though this may be an extension of the core idea of a connecting or adjoining structure.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only three times in the Old Testament, exclusively in the prophetic books of Jeremiah and Ezekiel. Its usage shifts from a literal, physical description in Jeremiah 38:12 (the armholes of rags) to a symbolic or metaphorical use in Ezekiel 13:18 (the joints of the hands in a context of false prophecy). The final occurrence in Ezekiel 41:8 is architectural and highly specific, describing a feature of the visionary temple. There is no consistent pattern beyond the core concept of a point of connection or juncture.
Etymology
Derived from the root אָצַל (ʼātsal, H680), which carries the primary sense of 'to join,' 'to unite,' or 'to reserve.' אַצִּיל, therefore, fundamentally denotes something that is joined or connected, fitting its meanings as a bodily joint or an architectural joining point like a wall.
Semantic Range
While not a theologically central term, its usage in Ezekiel 13:18 provides a vivid, concrete image in a condemnation of false prophets who 'hunt souls.' Understanding it as the 'joints of the hands' enriches the depiction of their manipulative practices. In Ezekiel 41:8, its potential meaning as a structural element contributes to the precise, divinely-ordained blueprint of the future temple, highlighting God's attention to sacred order and design.
In its primary sense as a joint of the hand, the word reflects an ancient anatomical understanding. The metaphorical use in Ezekiel 13:18 likely references a cultural practice—perhaps the tying of magic bands on the wrists—that the prophet condemns. The architectural term in Ezekiel 41:8 pertains to the specific design features of ancient Near Eastern, particularly Israelite, temple construction, which may differ from modern architectural concepts.
פֶּרֶק (pereq, H7167) — a joint or limb, but more general; often used for the 'hip socket' (Genesis 32:25).
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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