(Aramaic) corresponding to גָּזַר; to quarry; determine; cut out, soothsayer.
Transliteration:gᵉzar
Pronunciation:ghez-ar'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic verb `{{H1505}}` (gᵉzar) is directly related to the Hebrew `{{H1504}}` (gazar), sharing a common Semitic root that fundamentally conveys the idea of "cutting" or "dividing." This core meaning extends into several significant semantic ranges:
1. **Physical Separation/Formation:** To "cut out" or "hew," particularly in the context of stone. This implies a definitive separation from a larger mass, forming a distinct entity.
2. **Authoritative Determination:** To "determine," "decree," or "decide." This is a metaphorical extension of "cutting," where a decision or judgment "cuts off" all other possibilities, establishing a fixed outcome. It signifies a definitive pronouncement or an unalterable resolution.
3. **Prognostic/Divinatory (Implied):** The definition also includes "soothsayer," suggesting a connection to "determining" or "dividing" the future. While not directly attested as a noun for `{{H1505}}` in the biblical text, this aspect highlights the root's capacity to describe the act of discerning or declaring what is hidden or yet to come, often with an authoritative or definitive tone. In biblical usage, this is primarily seen in the context of divine or legitimate human decree, rather than illicit divination.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of `{{H1505}}` are found exclusively in the Aramaic portions of the Old Testament, primarily in the book of Daniel and Ezra. Its usage consistently reflects the authoritative and definitive aspects of its semantic range:
* **Physical Cutting (Divine Agency):** In Daniel, `{{H1505}}` describes the supernatural origin of the stone that strikes the statue in Nebuchadnezzar's dream: "a stone was cut out, not by human hands" [[Daniel 2:34]], and again, "a stone was cut out from the mountain, not by human hands" [[Daniel 2:45]]. Here, the verb emphasizes the divine, non-human agency in the cutting, signifying God's sovereign and irresistible power to establish His kingdom.
* **Authoritative Decree/Decision (Human and Divine):**
* **Human Decrees:** The verb frequently appears in contexts where kings or authorities issue binding decrees. Nebuchadnezzar "made a decree" ([[Daniel 4:6]] [Aramaic 4:3]) concerning his dream. King Darius "made a decree" regarding the rebuilding of the temple [[Ezra 6:8]]. Artaxerxes also issues a "decree" concerning the cessation of temple rebuilding [[Ezra 4:21]], and later, a "decree" for its continuation and support [[Ezra 7:26]]. These instances highlight the finality and binding nature of royal edicts.
* **Divine Judgment:** In [[Daniel 7:26]], the verb refers to the "judgment decreed" against the fourth beast, signifying the definitive and unalterable nature of God's judgment. This use underscores God's ultimate authority to determine outcomes.
* **Investigation and Decision:** Ezra uses the term when requesting a search of the royal archives to "determine" if a decree for temple rebuilding existed [[Ezra 5:17]]. Here, it signifies the act of making a conclusive finding or decision based on investigation.
The "soothsayer" aspect of the definition is not directly applied to `{{H1505}}` in its biblical occurrences as a noun or an action of divination. Rather, the verb's predominant use in the Bible emphasizes legitimate, authoritative "determining" or "decreeing," whether by God or by human rulers.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is its Hebrew counterpart, `{{H1504}}` (gazar), which carries a very similar semantic range, including "to cut off," "to divide," "to decide," and "to decree." Both words underscore the concept of definitive separation or determination.
Related concepts include:
* **Divine Sovereignty:** God's ability to "cut out" or "decree" events and destinies without human intervention.
* **Royal Authority:** The power of kings to issue binding edicts and judgments.
* **Judgment:** The definitive act of rendering a verdict or imposing a sentence, often involving a "cutting off" or separation.
* **Destiny/Fate:** While the Bible rejects pagan fatalism, the concept of a divinely "determined" future is evident, particularly in prophetic contexts. `{{H1505}}` highlights the *source* of such determination.
* **Separation/Distinction:** The root idea of "cutting" implies making things distinct or setting them apart.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H1505}}` is profound, particularly within the prophetic and historical narratives of Daniel and Ezra:
1. **Divine Inviolability and Sovereignty:** The most striking theological use is in [[Daniel 2:34]], where the stone is "cut out without human hands." This signifies God's absolute sovereignty and the unassailable nature of His kingdom, which is not dependent on human effort or power. God's decrees are ultimate and cannot be thwarted.
2. **The Authority of God's Word and Judgment:** When God "determines" or "decrees," it is final. The judgment "decreed" against the beast in [[Daniel 7:26]] illustrates the certainty and inevitability of divine justice. This reinforces the biblical truth that God is the ultimate arbiter of history and destiny.
3. **Human Authority as Delegated and Accountable:** While human kings use `{{H1505}}` to describe their decrees, the broader biblical narrative (especially in Daniel) consistently shows that even the most powerful human rulers are subject to the ultimate decree of the Most High God. Their authority to "determine" is contingent upon divine permission and is ultimately accountable to Him.
4. **Order and Purpose in History:** The repeated use of "decree" in Ezra emphasizes that even in times of exile and restoration, God's purposes are being worked out through human instruments and their authoritative decisions. There is a divine order and purpose underlying historical events.
### Summary
The Aramaic verb `{{H1505}}` (gᵉzar) fundamentally signifies "to cut" or "to divide," extending powerfully to "to determine" or "to decree." While its base definition notes a potential connection to "soothsaying" through the act of "determining" hidden knowledge, its biblical usage primarily emphasizes authoritative pronouncements and definitive actions. In Daniel, it underscores God's absolute sovereignty in "cutting out" His kingdom without human intervention and in "decreeing" final judgments. In Ezra, it describes the binding nature of royal edicts and the administrative acts of "determining" facts. Theologically, `{{H1505}}` profoundly articulates the unalterable nature of divine decrees, the ultimate authority of God over human rulers, and the purposeful unfolding of history according to His sovereign will.
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