אֲזַי
at that time
Definition
The Hebrew word אֲזַי (ʼăzay) is a temporal adverb meaning 'at that time' or 'then.' It specifically points to a particular moment in the past, often in a narrative sequence, to mark a consequential event. In its three biblical occurrences, all in Psalm 124:3-5, it consistently refers to a critical, dangerous moment from which God delivered Israel. The word emphasizes the precise timing of a threat, contrasting it with the subsequent moment of rescue.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively in Psalm 124:3-5, a communal song of thanksgiving. In this context, it is repeated to poetically stress the specific, perilous moment ('then') when enemies would have overwhelmed God's people. The pattern 'then... then... then' builds dramatic tension, highlighting the immediacy of the threat before declaring God's intervention. Its usage is therefore liturgical and poetic, serving to vividly recall a past crisis.
Etymology
אֲזַי (ʼăzay) is derived from the more common temporal adverb אָז (ʼāz, H227), which also means 'then' or 'at that time.' The addition of the suffix -ַי (-ay) likely gives it a more specific or emphatic force, pinpointing a particular instance. It is a relatively rare form, functioning as a cognate or intensified variant of its root.
Semantic Range
Though a simple temporal word, its use in Psalm 124 connects it to the theology of remembrance and deliverance. By pinpointing 'that time' of extreme danger, it forces the worshiper to recall a historical moment of vulnerability, making the subsequent confession of God's saving help (Psalm 124:6-8) more powerful. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by showing how the psalmist uses precise timing to contrast human peril with divine rescue, reinforcing God's faithfulness at critical junctures.
In its poetic, liturgical context, the word functions as a communal marker. When recited, 'then' would evoke a shared memory of a specific crisis—possibly a historical battle or national threat—known to the worshiping community. This use differs from a modern, generic 'then,' as it points to a concrete event in the collective consciousness of Israel.
אָז (ʼāz, H227) — The more common and general term for 'then' or 'at that time,' used broadly in narrative. אֲזַי is a rarer, more emphatic form.
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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