a primitive root (akin to גּוּז); to cut off, i.e. portion out; take.
Transliteration:gâzâh
Pronunciation:gaw-zaw'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew verb `{{H1491}}` (גָּזָה, gâzâh) is a primitive root, closely akin to `{{H1468}}` (גּוּז, gûz), which carries the sense of "to pass away" or "to perish." The core meaning of `{{H1491}}` is "to cut off." This primary sense extends to "to shear" in the context of sheep, from which the meaning of "to portion out" or "to take" is derived. It implies a severance or removal of something from its original state or location, whether through a deliberate act of cutting, seizing, or separating. The nuance can range from a violent removal to a purposeful selection.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
`{{H1491}}` appears in the Hebrew Bible in three distinct contexts, each illuminating a facet of its semantic range:
* **1 Samuel 17:34**: "And David said to Saul, 'Your servant used to keep his father's sheep. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, I went out after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he rose up against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him.'" Here, the verb `{{H1491}}` describes the act of a predator "taking" or "seizing" a lamb from the flock. The sense is one of violent appropriation and separation, highlighting the danger faced by the flock and the shepherd's protective role. It is a forceful "cutting off" of the lamb from its safety.
* **Psalm 78:70**: "He chose David his servant and took him from the sheepfolds." In this verse, `{{H1491}}` denotes God's sovereign act of "taking" or "removing" David from his humble occupation as a shepherd to a position of leadership over Israel. This is not a violent act but a divine, purposeful separation and elevation. It signifies a calling, a deliberate choice by God to set someone apart for a specific task, effectively "cutting him off" from his former life to begin a new one.
* **Amos 7:1**: "Thus the Lord GOD showed me: behold, he was forming locusts when the latter growth was beginning to sprout, and behold, it was the latter growth after the king's shearings." Here, `{{H1491}}` appears in the context of "the king's shearings" (גֵּז הַמֶּלֶךְ, gêz hammalek). While the verb itself is not directly used in this precise phrase, the noun `{{H1492}}` (גֵּז, gêz, "fleece, shearing") is derived from `{{H1491}}`. The phrase refers to the practice where the king would take the first shearing of the sheep, a form of taxation or tribute. The "latter growth" (לֶקֶשׁ, leqesh) was the second cutting of hay, which would provide sustenance for the poor after the king had taken his portion. The implication is that the king's "cutting off" (shearing) of the first growth left less for the people, making the subsequent locust plague even more devastating. This highlights the concept of "portioning out" or "taking" in an economic or governmental sense.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of `{{H1491}}` is enriched by its cognates and related terms:
* `{{H1468}}` (גּוּז, gûz): "to pass over, pass away, be cut off." This reinforces the idea of separation, removal, or termination.
* `{{H1492}}` (גֵּז, gêz): "fleece, shearing." This noun directly relates to the act of shearing sheep, a primary application of `{{H1491}}`. It refers to the product of the "cutting off" of wool.
* `{{H1494}}` (גָּזִית, gâzîyth): "hewn stone." This noun, also derived from the root, signifies something that has been "cut" or "hewn" into shape, further emphasizing the idea of cutting and shaping.
* Concepts: Separation, removal, divine election, predation, provision, stewardship, taxation.
### Theological Significance
The rare occurrences of `{{H1491}}` nonetheless carry profound theological weight:
* **Divine Sovereignty and Election**: In Psalm 78:70, God "took" David from the sheepfolds. This act underscores God's absolute sovereignty in choosing and setting apart individuals for His purposes. It is a powerful illustration of divine election, where God actively intervenes in human lives, "cutting off" an individual from their ordinary existence to fulfill an extraordinary calling. This speaks to a God who is intimately involved in the lives of His people, orchestrating events and raising up leaders according to His perfect will.
* **Protection and Deliverance**: David's act of rescuing the lamb "taken" by the predator in 1 Samuel 17:34 provides a powerful metaphor for God as the ultimate Shepherd. Just as David risked his life to deliver the lamb, so too does God intervene to "cut off" the power of evil and deliver His people from destruction. This highlights God's protective nature and His commitment to rescuing those who are vulnerable.
* **Stewardship and Justice**: The reference to "the king's shearings" in Amos 7:1, though using a derivative noun, points to the economic realities and potential for injustice in ancient Israel. It subtly critiques the system where the powerful "cut off" a portion for themselves, sometimes to the detriment of the vulnerable. This can be extended to theological reflections on just governance, the proper use of resources, and God's concern for the poor and oppressed, who are often left with only the "latter growth" after the powerful have taken their share.
### Summary
`{{H1491}}` (גָּזָה, gâzâh) is a Hebrew verb whose core meaning is "to cut off," extending to "to shear," "to take," or "to seize." Though infrequent in the biblical text, its occurrences are highly significant. In 1 Samuel 17:34, it describes a predator's violent "taking." In Psalm 78:70, it beautifully illustrates God's sovereign act of "taking" or electing David for kingship. In Amos 7:1, through its related noun `{{H1492}}`, it points to the practice of royal "shearings" and its socio-economic implications. Theologically, `{{H1491}}` speaks to God's active sovereignty in election, His protective deliverance, and the principles of stewardship and justice in human society, all centered on the concept of purposeful separation or removal.
TRV