גֵּזֶל
plunder, i.e. violence
Definition
Gêzel refers to plunder or property taken by violence, specifically through robbery or extortion. It denotes the act of seizing goods by force, often in a context of oppression or injustice. In Ezekiel 18:18, it describes the violent taking of property, which is condemned as a serious sin. The word emphasizes the violent, wrongful acquisition of what belongs to another, rather than mere theft by stealth.
Biblical Usage
This word appears only twice in the Old Testament, both times in contexts condemning social injustice. In Ecclesiastes 5:8, it is used to describe the 'plunder' or 'violence' committed by corrupt officials who oppress the poor. In Ezekiel 18:18, it is listed among the grievous sins of a wicked man, specifically 'taking plunder' from others. Its usage is consistently negative, associated with systemic oppression and moral corruption.
Etymology
Derived from the root verb gāzal (H1497), meaning 'to tear away, seize, rob.' This root conveys a sense of violent stripping or snatching. The noun gêzel specifically denotes the thing taken—the plunder itself. It is related to gōzāl (H1469), meaning a young bird, possibly evoking the image of something vulnerable being snatched away.
Semantic Range
Gêzel is theologically significant as it highlights God's concern for justice and His condemnation of economic oppression. It is not merely a crime against property but a sin against one's neighbor and, by extension, against God's moral order (Ezekiel 18:18). Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of prophetic texts by underscoring that systemic violence and exploitation are grave violations of covenant life.
In ancient Israelite society, where community stability relied on fair dealings, seizing property by force (gêzel) was a direct assault on social harmony and a family's livelihood. It was often associated with the powerful exploiting the vulnerable, a practice the prophets vehemently denounced as contrary to the Torah.
gāzal (H1497) — the verb 'to rob, seize,' focusing on the action. ḥāmās (H2555) — a broader term for 'violence' or wrongdoing, often encompassing gêzel. šōd (H7701) — 'devastation' or 'destruction,' sometimes involving plunder but with a focus on ruin.
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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