עוּץ
to consult
Definition
The Hebrew verb עוּץ (ʻûwts) fundamentally means 'to consult' or 'to take counsel.' It describes the act of seeking advice, deliberating together, or forming a plan. In its two biblical occurrences, the word carries a sense of collective deliberation, often in response to a significant event or crisis. In Judges 19:30, it is used for the Israelites' consultation after the horrific crime at Gibeah, leading to a national assembly. In Isaiah 8:10, the context shifts to a prophetic warning, where God declares that the counsel of hostile nations will ultimately fail.
Biblical Usage
This verb is used only twice in the Old Testament, both times in contexts of strategic planning. In Judges 19:30, it describes the unified, formal consultation of the tribes of Israel, which was a precursor to decisive action. In Isaiah 8:10, it is used in a prophetic oracle, referring to the futile counsel of nations that oppose God's people. The pattern shows it is used for weighty, collective deliberation, whether by God's people or their enemies.
Etymology
As a primitive root, עוּץ (ʻûwts) is the base form from which related words are derived. It is connected to the idea of 'counsel' or 'advice.' Cognates in other Semitic languages support the meaning of gathering or assembling for the purpose of deliberation. The root conveys a sense of purposeful planning rather than casual conversation.
Semantic Range
This word highlights the biblical theme of seeking wise counsel, contrasting human plans with God's sovereign purposes. In Isaiah 8:10, it underscores the doctrine of God's ultimate sovereignty—human schemes against His will are destined to fail ('it will not stand'). Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by emphasizing that true, effective counsel aligns with God's revealed will, while human counsel apart from Him is ultimately futile.
In ancient Israelite society, taking counsel was a formal, communal process, especially for matters of law, war, or national crisis. The use in Judges 19:30 reflects a tribal assembly, a recognized institution for collective decision-making. This contrasts with modern, often individualistic, decision-making, highlighting the cultural value placed on community deliberation in biblical times.
יָעַץ (yāʻats, H3289) — a more common verb for giving or taking counsel, often used for both human and divine advice. עֵצָה (ʻētsâ, H6098) — the noun form meaning 'counsel' or 'plan,' frequently denoting the content of the deliberation.
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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