אָזַן
to broaden out the ear (with the hand), i.e. (by implication) to listen
Definition
The Hebrew verb אָזַן (ʼâzan) fundamentally means 'to give ear' or 'to listen attentively.' It describes the active, intentional act of inclining one's ear to hear, often implying obedience to what is heard. In some contexts, especially poetic ones like Deuteronomy 32:1, it carries the sense of a formal, public call for an audience, as in 'Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak.' The word is used for both human listening to God (e.g., Exodus 15:26) and God's listening to human prayer (e.g., Genesis 4:23, where Lamech demands his wives 'listen' to his speech). Its usage consistently moves beyond mere auditory reception to include the concept of heeding and paying close attention.
Biblical Usage
אָזַן is used 42 times, primarily in poetic and prophetic literature, including the Psalms, Deuteronomy, and the Prophets. It frequently appears in calls to worship or solemn addresses, such as in Deuteronomy 32:1 and Psalm 49:1. A common pattern is its use in divine appeals for Israel to listen and obey God's commands, as seen in Deuteronomy 1:45 and 2 Chronicles 24:19. It is also used in wisdom contexts, calling for attentive listening to instruction (Proverbs 4:1, 5:1).
Etymology
אָזַן is a primitive root, likely meaning 'to expand' or 'to sharpen.' It is used almost exclusively as a denominative verb derived from the noun אֹזֶן (ʼozen, H241), meaning 'ear.' Thus, the verb's meaning developed from the physical action related to the ear ('to prick up' or 'broaden the ear') into the metaphorical sense of attentive listening. Cognates in other Semitic languages support the idea of sharpening or pointing, which aligns with the concept of focused attention.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it captures the biblical ideal of covenantal listening. True hearing in Scripture is inseparable from obedience and response. When God calls Israel to 'give ear,' it is an invitation into relationship and a demand for covenant faithfulness (Deuteronomy 32:1). Understanding אָזַן enriches reading by highlighting that biblical 'hearing' is an active, engaged posture of the heart toward God's word, foundational to wisdom, prophecy, and prayer.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, 'giving ear' was a formal gesture of respect and submission, often associated with a student before a teacher or a subject before a king. The physical imagery of 'broadening the ear' may refer to cupping the hand behind the ear to hear better, symbolizing a deliberate effort to comprehend. This contrasts with a modern, more passive understanding of hearing, emphasizing the ancient active and volitional component of listening.
שָׁמַע (shamaʻ, H8085) — a broader term for hearing, often including the result of obedience. הִקְשִׁיב (hiqshiv, H7181) — to incline, listen attentively, with a strong connotation of concentration. אָבָה (ʼabah, H14) — to be willing, consent; relates to the internal response following hearing.
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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