אָזַר

ʼâzar /aw-zar'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto belt
KJV usagebind (compass) about, gird (up, with).
Copy as

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word ʼâzar, represented by H247, is a primitive root defined as to belt; bind (compass) about, gird (up, with). It appears 16 times across 15 unique verses in the Bible, often conveying a sense of being equipped, prepared, or endowed with strength for a specific purpose or action.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical usage, H247 carries several key applications. It frequently describes being divinely equipped with strength for battle, as when the psalmist declares, "It is God that girdeth H247 me with strength H2428" Psalms 18:32, and "For thou hast girded H247 me with strength H2428 unto the battle" Psalms 18:39. The term is also used as a command to prepare for a divine commission or confrontation, such as when God tells Jeremiah to "gird up H247 thy loins, and arise" Jeremiah 1:17 or when He commands Job, "Gird up H247 now thy loins like a man" Job 38:3. Metaphorically, it can signify a profound transformation, as in God having "put off my sackcloth, and girded H247 me with gladness" Psalms 30:11.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the meaning of being girded:

  • H2428 chayil (strength): This word, denoting valor and force, is frequently paired with H247 to describe the nature of the empowerment being given. For example, those who stumbled are "girded H247 with strength H2428" 1 Samuel 2:4.
  • H232 ʼêzôwr (girdle): This noun is the physical object used for girding. The connection is seen in the description of Elijah as a man "girt H247 with a girdle H232 of leather" 2 Kings 1:8.
  • H2865 châthath (dismay): This term is often set in contrast to the command to gird oneself. The instruction to "gird up H247 thy loins" is immediately followed by "be not dismayed H2865" Jeremiah 1:17, suggesting that being girded is an antidote to fear and confusion.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of H247 is centered on divine provision and human readiness.

  • Divine Empowerment: The act of being girded by God is a symbol of receiving His strength and capability. This divine endowment enables individuals to face battles and overcome obstacles that would be impossible in their own power (Psalms 18:39, 2 Samuel 22:40).
  • Preparation for a Divine Commission: The command to "gird up thy loins" is a call to a state of readiness and alertness. It signifies preparing oneself to receive and act upon a divine word, as seen with both Jeremiah and Job (Jeremiah 1:17, Job 40:7).
  • God's Sovereign Majesty: The scriptures also depict God girding Himself. The LORD is "clothed with strength H5797, wherewith he hath girded H247 himself," an act associated with the establishment of the world Psalms 93:1. This demonstrates that His power and authority are inherent to His being.

Summary

In summary, H247 represents far more than the simple physical act of fastening a belt. It is a powerful biblical concept signifying preparation, empowerment, and transformation. Whether it is God girding a person with strength, an individual girding themselves for a divine command, or God Himself being girded with majesty, the word consistently points to a readiness for action rooted in divine power.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 16 occurrences, inflected in 12 grammatical forms.

  • Piel Consecutive Imperfect 2nd Singular Masculine 3×
  • Hithpael Imperative 2nd Plural Masculine 2×
  • Qal Imperative 2nd Singular Masculine 2×
  • Hithpael Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Niphal Participle Singular Masculine Absolute 1×
  • Piel Imperfect 1st Singular common gender 1×
  • Piel Participle Plural Masculine Construct 1×
  • Piel Participle Singular Masculine Construct 1×
  • Qal Imperfect 2nd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Qal Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Qal Participle Passive Singular Masculine Absolute 1×
  • Qal Perfect 3rd Plural common gender 1×
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
common gender
Either gender — the form does not distinguish.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Passive
The subject is acted upon.
Imperative
A command or entreaty.
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.
Qal
The simple, basic stem — plain action in the active voice.
Niphal
Simple passive or reflexive of the Qal.
Piel
The intensive stem — strengthened or emphatic action.
Hithpael
Reflexive-intensive — the subject acts upon itself.
Consecutive Imperfect
Imperfect with vav — carries narrative forward ("and he…").
Absolute
The independent form of a noun (not bound to another).
Construct
Bound to a following noun — "the X of…".

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 15 verses across 7 books. Most frequent in Psalms (5 verses).

1
1 Samuel
1
2 Samuel
1
2 Kings
3
Job
5
Psalms
3
Isaiah
1
Jeremiah

Verse Explorer

Select a verse to begin.