עֵצֶן
a spear
Definition
The Hebrew noun עֵצֶן (ʻêtsen) refers to a spear, a long thrusting weapon used in ancient warfare. It appears only once in the Old Testament, in 2 Samuel 23:8, where it is used to describe Josheb-basshebeth, one of David's mighty men, as 'the Tachmonite, chief of the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite.' The term 'Eznite' is derived from this word, likely indicating his skill or association with the spear. The word denotes a specific type of military armament, emphasizing strength and martial prowess.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the entire Hebrew Bible, in 2 Samuel 23:8. It is found within the context of listing David's mighty men and their heroic deeds. The usage is descriptive, forming part of a title or epithet ('the Eznite') for a warrior, highlighting his identity through his weapon. There are no other biblical occurrences to establish broader patterns of usage.
Etymology
The noun עֵצֶן (ʻêtsen) is derived from an unused Hebrew root meaning 'to be sharp' or 'to be strong.' This etymological connection directly informs its meaning as a sharp, strong piercing weapon. It is related to other words denoting trees or wood (עֵץ, ʻêts, H6086), possibly reflecting the material from which spear shafts were made, but its primary sense is martial and pointed.
Semantic Range
While the word itself is a simple noun for a weapon, its single biblical occurrence contributes to the theological theme of God empowering and using human agents, like David's mighty men, to establish and protect His kingdom. Understanding this term enriches the reading of 2 Samuel 23 by providing a concrete image of the tools of warfare God used through these warriors, underscoring themes of strength, loyalty, and divine support in battle.
In the ancient Near Eastern context, the spear was a primary infantry weapon for both thrusting and throwing. A warrior being identified by his spear ('the Eznite') signifies his renowned skill and possibly his status as a formidable fighter. This differs from a modern understanding where such a specific weapon type would rarely define a person's identity. The term reflects a culture where martial ability and one's chosen weapon were central to a warrior's reputation.
חֲנִית (ḥănîṯ, H2595) — a more common general term for 'spear' or 'lance'. רֹמַח (rōmaḥ, H7420) — another term for 'spear' or 'javelin', often used for throwing. כִּידוֹן (kîḏôn, H3591) — typically a 'javelin' or short throwing spear.
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.
Full methodology & sources →