גָּזָה

גָּזָה

to cut off, i.e. portion out

Definition

The Hebrew verb גָּזָה (gâzâh) means 'to cut off' or 'to portion out,' specifically referring to the act of separating or apportioning a piece from a larger whole. In its single biblical occurrence, it describes God's care from birth, as in Psalm 71:6, where the psalmist declares, 'Upon you have I leaned from my birth; you are he who took me from my mother's womb.' Here, the sense is metaphorical, portraying God as the one who 'cut me off' or 'severed me' at birth, emphasizing divine agency in the act of delivery and the beginning of life. The word carries a nuance of deliberate, sovereign action in setting apart or initiating.

Biblical Usage

This verb is used only once in the Old Testament, in Psalm 71:6. It appears in a poetic, personal context of trust and testimony, where the psalmist reflects on God's lifelong faithfulness from the very moment of birth. The usage is metaphorical rather than literal, applying the idea of 'cutting off' to the divine act of bringing someone into the world, highlighting God's intimate involvement in human life from its inception.

Etymology

גָּזָה is a primitive root, closely related to גּוּז (gûz, H1468), which means 'to pass over' or 'to cut off.' This connection suggests a shared semantic field involving separation or division. The root conveys the basic idea of severing or apportioning, which in its derived form in Psalm 71:6 developed a specialized metaphorical application to birth.

Semantic Range

Though used only once, גָּזָה holds theological significance in portraying God as the active deliverer at birth, underscoring divine sovereignty and personal care from the very beginning of life. It enriches the understanding of Psalm 71:6 by emphasizing that human existence is not a mere biological event but an act of God, who 'cuts off' or brings forth each person. This reinforces themes of God's providence and intimate involvement in human creation, offering comfort that life is initiated and sustained by Him. In ancient Israelite culture, childbirth was seen as a vulnerable and significant event, often attributed to God's intervention (as in Psalm 22:9-10). The use of גָּזָה to describe God 'taking' someone from the womb reflects this worldview, where divine action was recognized in life's milestones. The metaphor of 'cutting off' might also resonate with the physical act of severing the umbilical cord, symbolizing the transition to independent life under God's care. גָּזַר (gāzar, H1504) — to cut, divide, or decree, often used for decisive actions like cutting a covenant; כָּרַת (kārath, H3772) — to cut off or make a covenant, frequently in ritual or relational contexts; בָּצַע (bāṣaʿ, H1219) — to cut off or gain by violence, typically with negative connotations of greed or injustice.

Word Details