English · KJV
H1494

גַּזָז

gazâz /gaw-zaz'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root (akin to גּוּז)
Meaningto cut off; specifically to shear aflock or shave the hair; figuratively to destroy an enemy
KJV usagecut off (down), poll, shave, (sheep-) shear(-er).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of gazâz — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word gazâz, represented by H1494, is a primitive root that means to cut off. It appears 15 times across 15 unique verses in the Bible. Its primary, literal meaning refers to the act of shearing a flock or shaving hair, but it is also used figuratively to describe the destruction of an enemy.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical narratives, H1494 is most frequently used in the context of sheep shearing, an important seasonal and economic event. It is mentioned in the stories of Laban Genesis 31:19, Judah Genesis 38:12-13, Nabal 1 Samuel 25:2, and Absalom 2 Samuel 13:23. The term also denotes a ritual act of mourning or grief, as when Job "shaved his head" after his tragic loss Job 1:20. In a prophetic context, it can symbolize judgment and lamentation, as when Jeremiah commands Jerusalem to "Cut off thine hair" Jeremiah 7:29. Figuratively, it is used to depict the destruction of a powerful enemy, who will be "cut down" by the Lord Nahum 1:12.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help to illuminate the contexts in which H1494 is used:

  • H7139 qârach (to make bald): This word, meaning "to depilate; make (self) bald," is used in parallel with H1494 to command a symbolic act of deep mourning. The prophet Micah instructs the people to "Make thee bald, and poll thee" for their captive children Micah 1:16.
  • H5065 nâgas (oppress): Defined as "to drive... harass, tyrannize... oppress(-or)," this word is linked to the passivity of being sheared. In Isaiah 53:7, the suffering servant "was oppressed" and brought like a sheep before her "shearers."
  • H6031 ʻânâh (afflict): Meaning "to depress literally or figuratively... afflict(-ion, self)... humble (self), hurt," this term appears alongside H1494 to describe suffering. The Lord promises in Nahum 1:12, "Though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more," just before declaring that the enemy will be "cut down."

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H1494 is revealed in its figurative applications, which center on themes of judgment, submission, and humility.

  • Mourning and Humiliation: Shaving the head was a visible sign of profound grief and abasement. Job's act of shaving his head was one of worship and submission to God's will Job 1:20, while in Jeremiah and Micah, it is a mandated sign of communal sorrow and punishment (Jeremiah 7:29, Micah 1:16).
  • Divine Judgment: The word is used to express God's definitive power over nations. The declaration in Nahum that an army will be "cut down" illustrates that their strength is nothing before God's sovereign decree Nahum 1:12.
  • Vicarious Submission: In its most significant theological use, H1494 illustrates the silent submission of the Messiah. The image of a sheep being passive before its "shearers" in Isaiah 53:7 becomes a powerful metaphor for the servant who endures affliction and oppression without protest.

Summary

In summary, H1494 extends far beyond its simple agricultural definition. While rooted in the literal act of shearing sheep, it serves as a powerful symbol in scripture. It conveys the depths of human sorrow, the finality of divine judgment, and the profound humility of the suffering servant. This demonstrates how a common, everyday action can be imbued with significant theological meaning, from a sign of mourning to a picture of messianic submission.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 15 occurrences, inflected in 8 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • גְזֹז
  • גֹזְזִים
  • גֹּזֲזֵי
  • גָּזִּי
  • נָגֹזּוּ
  • יָּגָז
  • תָגֹז
  • גֹזֵז

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H7139 קָרַח a primitive root; to depilate; make (self) bald. H5065 נָגַשׂ a primitive root; to drive (an animal, a workman, a debtor, an army); by implication, to tax, harass, tyrannize; distres H6031 עָנָה a primitive root (possibly rather identical with עָנָה through the idea of looking down or browbeating); to depress lite

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 15 verses across 9 of the 39 books. Most frequent in 1 Samuel (4 verses); never once in the other 30.

3
Genesis
1
Deuteronomy
4
1 Samuel
2
2 Samuel
1
Job
1
Isaiah
1
Jeremiah
1
Micah
1
Nahum

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.