גּוּז
properly, to shear off; but used only in the (figuratively) sense of passing rapidly
Definition
The Hebrew word גּוּז (gûwz) is a verb that literally means 'to shear off' or 'to cut off,' as in shearing wool from a sheep. However, in its two biblical occurrences, it is used exclusively in a figurative sense to describe something passing by or being swept away with great speed and force. In Numbers 11:31, it describes the quail being 'driven' or 'swept' by the wind from the sea. In Psalm 90:10, it poetically describes the years of our life that 'fly away' or are 'cut off' swiftly.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only twice in the Old Testament, both times to convey a powerful, rapid movement that is beyond human control. In the historical narrative of Numbers 11:31, it describes the supernatural event of God driving a massive flock of quail into the Israelite camp. In the poetic, wisdom context of Psalm 90:10, it is used metaphorically to express the fleeting, transient nature of human life, which passes swiftly and is ultimately cut off.
Etymology
גּוּז (gûwz) is a primitive root verb. It is related to the more common verb גָּזַז (gāzaz, H1494), which means 'to shear' or 'to mow.' This connection to shearing establishes the core idea of a swift, cutting action. The meaning developed from the concrete act of cutting off wool to the abstract concept of something being swiftly removed or passing rapidly.
Semantic Range
This word enriches the biblical portrayal of God's sovereignty over nature and human mortality. In Numbers 11:31, it underscores God's direct, powerful, and sometimes overwhelming provision. In Psalm 90:10, it provides a vivid metaphor for human frailty and the brevity of life, contrasting it with God's eternal nature. Understanding this Hebrew term deepens the reader's appreciation for the swift and decisive actions of God and the sobering reality of life's fleeting days, calling for wisdom (Psalm 90:12).
The literal meaning, 'to shear,' connects to the vital pastoral economy of ancient Israel, where shearing sheep was a regular, skilled task. The figurative leap to 'sweep away' or 'fly' would have been a natural poetic image for an audience intimately familiar with the sudden, sweeping motion of a shepherd's shears and the powerful, uncontrollable force of the desert wind.
עָבַר (ʿābar, H5674) — a more general term for 'to pass over' or 'cross,' without the connotation of forceful cutting or shearing. כָּרַת (kārat, H3772) — means 'to cut' or 'cut off,' often in covenants or judgment, but lacks the specific nuance of swift, sweeping motion.
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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