Word Study for H2385 (חֲזִיז)

chăzîyz /khaw-zeez'/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom an unused root meaning to glare

Meaninga flash of lightning

KJV usagebright cloud, lightning.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of chăzîyz — 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 chăzîyz, represented by H2385, describes a flash of atmospheric brilliance, translated as either bright cloud or lightning. Derived from an unused root meaning "to glare," it appears 3 times in 3 unique verses. This term is specifically used to denote powerful weather phenomena under God's command.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In Scripture, H2385 is used in contexts of both divine power and provision. In the book of Job, it is twice referred to as the lightning for which God has made "a way" (Job 28:26, Job 38:25). Here, it is paired directly with thunder, emphasizing God's sovereign control over the most formidable forces of nature. In a different context, the prophet Zechariah uses the word to mean bright clouds, which the LORD makes as a precursor to giving "showers of rain" when His people ask for it Zechariah 10:1.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the atmospheric context of chăzîyz:

H1653 geshem (a shower; rain, shower): This word for a heavy shower appears in the same verse as chăzîyz, where the Lord makes "bright clouds" and then gives "showers of rain," directly linking the two Zechariah 10:1.
H4306 mâṭar (rain): This general term for rain is closely associated with chăzîyz. God makes a decree for the rain and a way for the lightning Job 28:26, and people are to ask the Lord for rain, who in turn makes the bright clouds Zechariah 10:1.
H6963 qôwl (a voice or sound; thunder(-ing)): In both of its appearances in Job, chăzîyz is part of the phrase "lightning of the thunder," highlighting its role as the visible component of a powerful storm (Job 28:26, Job 38:25).

Theological Significance

The theological significance of H2385 is tied to God's authority over creation.

Sovereign Control: The term is used to illustrate God's absolute command over nature. He creates "a way for the lightning of the thunder," demonstrating that even seemingly chaotic and dangerous events are governed by His design (Job 28:26, Job 38:25).
Sign of Provision: As "bright clouds," chăzîyz serves as a sign of God's benevolent provision. It is the direct result of the Lord's action when His people ask for rain, symbolizing His willingness to bless and sustain them with agricultural abundance Zechariah 10:1.
Manifestation of Divine Power: Whether as a flash of lightning or a promising cloud, chăzîyz represents a visible manifestation of God's power, capable of inspiring both awe at His might and gratitude for His provision.

Summary

In summary, H2385 is a specific and potent word that captures a dynamic aspect of God's creation. While rare in its usage, it powerfully conveys a dual truth: God's might is displayed in the fearsome lightning of the storm, and His faithfulness is revealed in the bright clouds that promise life-giving rain. It demonstrates that all facets of nature, from the violent to the gentle, operate under His sovereign decree.

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 noun across 3 occurrences, inflected in 2 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.

חֲזִיז
חֲזִיזִים

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 3 verses across 2 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Job (2 verses); never once in the other 37.

Job

Zechariah

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.