חֲזוֹ

חֲזוֹ

Chazo, a nephew of Abraham

Definition

Chazo (also spelled Hazo in the KJV) is a proper name appearing only once in the Hebrew Bible, identifying a son of Nahor and Milcah, and thus a nephew of Abraham (Genesis 22:22). The name is listed among Nahor's eight sons, establishing Chazo as part of the extended Aramean family lineage from which Rebekah, the future wife of Isaac, would later come. As a personal name, it carries no other semantic senses or varied meanings in different biblical passages.

Biblical Usage

The word is used exclusively in Genesis 22:22 within a genealogical list. It functions solely as a personal name, identifying one of the sons born to Abraham's brother, Nahor, and his wife Milcah. This usage is part of a narrative bridge showing God's faithfulness in providing descendants, contrasting the promised lineage of Isaac with the established family of Nahor.

Etymology

The name Chazo (חֲזוֹ) is derived from the Hebrew root חָזָה (H2372), meaning 'to see,' 'to behold,' or 'to perceive.' It is related to the noun for 'seer' or 'vision.' As a personal name, it likely carried a meaning such as 'vision' or 'one who sees,' possibly expressing a hope for divine insight or favor upon the child.

Semantic Range

While the individual Chazo is not a developed theological figure, his inclusion in the genealogy of Genesis 22:22 is significant. It highlights God's sovereign work in building family lines. This list, coming immediately after the account of God providing the ram for Isaac on Mount Moriah (the Akedah), shows God's blessing extending beyond Abraham's direct line. It sets the stage for the future marriage of Isaac to Rebekah, who is from this very Aramean family (Genesis 24), demonstrating God's providence in fulfilling His covenant promises through specific, prepared lineages. In ancient Semitic culture, personal names were often meaningful, not merely labels. A name like Chazo ('vision' or 'seer') may have reflected parental hopes or circumstances surrounding the birth. Its appearance in a genealogy underscores the importance of lineage and family identity in the biblical world, where an individual's significance was often tied to their place within a clan and its history. Nahor (Nāchôr, H5152) — Chazo's father and Abraham's brother. Milcah (Milkâ, H4435) — Chazo's mother. Bethuel (Bəthû'êl, H1328) — Chazo's brother, who becomes the father of Rebekah.

Word Details