a primitive root; to go away, hence, to disappear; fail, gad about, go to and fro (but in Ezekiel 27:19 the word is rendered by many 'from Uzal,' by others 'yarn'), be gone (spent).
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **ʼâzal**, represented by `{{H235}}`, is a primitive root signifying **to go away** or **disappear**. Appearing only **6 times** in **6 unique verses**, its usage is specific yet illustrative, covering concepts such as to fail, to be gone or spent, and to gad about or go to and fro.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Biblically, `{{H235}}` describes various forms of cessation or movement. It illustrates the depletion of physical resources, as when Saul notes that "the bread is **spent**" [[1 Samuel 9:7]]. The term is also used to depict the finality of natural processes, where "the waters **fail** from the sea" [[Job 14:11]], or the loss of strength, when the LORD sees that Israel's "power is **gone**" [[Deuteronomy 32:36]]. In a different context, it describes aimless or commercial movement, such as Israel being questioned for "gaddest thou **about**" to change its way [[Jeremiah 2:36]] and Javan "going **to and fro**" in the markets of Tyre [[Ezekiel 27:19]]. Finally, it can simply mean to be gone, as in the case of a buyer who, "when he is **gone** his way, then he boasteth" [[Proverbs 20:14]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words clarify the contexts in which `{{H235}}` appears:
* `{{H3001}}` **yâbêsh** (to dry up): This word is used alongside `{{H235}}` to intensify the idea of depletion. In [[Job 14:11]], as the waters `{{H235}}` fail, the flood also "drieth up" `{{H3001}}`.
* `{{H5800}}` **ʻâzab** (to forsake, leave): This term often complements `{{H235}}` by describing what remains after something is gone. When Israel's power is `{{H235}}` gone, it is also noted that there is none shut up or "left" `{{H5800}}` [[Deuteronomy 32:36]].
* `{{H1870}}` **derek** (a road, way, course of life): This word provides the path for the action of `{{H235}}`. In [[Jeremiah 2:36]], Israel is criticized for gadding `{{H235}}` about in order to change its "way" `{{H1870}}`, highlighting a spiritual wandering from its proper course.
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H235}}` lies in its portrayal of failure, wandering, and divine observation.
* **The Consequence of Depletion:** The word often signifies a state of complete exhaustion that prompts divine action. God repents on behalf of His servants when He sees their power is entirely "gone" `{{H235}}`, demonstrating that human extremity can be a point of divine intervention [[Deuteronomy 32:36]]. Similarly, a lack of bread that is "spent" `{{H235}}` poses a direct obstacle to Saul's journey [[1 Samuel 9:7]].
* **Faithless Wandering:** In Jeremiah, "gaddest thou about" `{{H235}}` is not neutral movement but a metaphor for spiritual unfaithfulness. It describes Israel's restless pursuit of foreign alliances instead of trusting in God, a "way" that leads to shame [[Jeremiah 2:36]].
* **The Frailty of Existence:** The comparison of life to waters that "fail" `{{H235}}` from the sea in [[Job 14:11]] uses the term to underscore the transient and finite nature of human existence and the physical world.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H235}}` is a versatile term that conveys a sense of finality and movement. Though rare, it effectively illustrates concepts ranging from the literal depletion of provisions to the metaphorical failure of strength and the spiritual emptiness of aimless wandering. It captures a state of being spent, lost, or having disappeared, marking a critical point of lack or transition in the biblical narrative.
TRV