אָזַל
to go away, hence, to disappear
Definition
The Hebrew verb אָזַל (ʼâzal) primarily means 'to go away' or 'to depart,' often implying a movement away from a point of origin. In several contexts, this departure leads to a sense of disappearance or exhaustion, as seen when water vanishes from a lake (Job 14:11) or when resources are spent and fail (Deuteronomy 32:36). In Proverbs 20:14, it describes the act of bargaining goods away. A unique usage appears in Ezekiel 27:19, where its meaning is debated; some translations interpret it as a proper name ('from Uzal'), while others suggest a meaning related to a traded commodity like 'yarn' or 'iron.'
Biblical Usage
אָזַל is used only six times in the Old Testament, appearing in poetic, narrative, and prophetic books. It describes physical departure (1 Samuel 9:7), the depletion of resources (Deuteronomy 32:36), and metaphorical vanishing (Job 14:11). In Jeremiah 2:36, it illustrates the futile 'gadding about' of Judah seeking foreign alliances. Its rareness adds emphasis in each context, often highlighting loss, futility, or the end of something.
Etymology
אָזַל is a primitive root, meaning its origin is not derived from another Hebrew verb. Cognates exist in other Semitic languages, such as Arabic (ʾazala, 'to remove') and Aramaic, supporting its core meaning of 'to go away.' This root concept naturally extended to meanings of disappearance or exhaustion in biblical usage.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it often portrays human limitation and divine judgment. In Deuteronomy 32:36, it describes the Lord's intervention when human strength 'fails,' highlighting dependence on God. In Jeremiah 2:36, it underscores the folly of seeking security apart from Yahweh. Its use for vanishing, as in Job 14:11, poignantly illustrates the transient nature of human life contrasted with God's permanence, enriching readings on mortality and hope.
In its ancient context, 'going away' could imply a journey for trade, aid, or resources, as seen in 1 Samuel 9:7 where taking a gift to a seer is considered. The bargaining usage in Proverbs 20:14 reflects common marketplace haggling. The debated Ezekiel 27:19 reference likely points to a specific place (Uzal) or trade good, showing how words can be tied to specific cultural or economic details now obscure to modern readers.
הָלַךְ (hālak, H1980) — a more general term for 'to go' or 'walk,' without the inherent sense of departure or exhaustion. יָצָא (yāṣāʾ, H3318) — emphasizes 'to go out' or 'come forth,' often from an enclosed space. סוּר (sûr, H5493) — means 'to turn aside' or 'depart,' focusing on a change in direction rather than simply going away.
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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