The Hebrew word çôwd, represented by H5475, refers to concepts of intimacy, consultation, and secrets. It appears 21 times across 21 unique verses in the Bible. Based on a root meaning a session or company of persons in close deliberation, its meaning extends from a confidential secret to a formal assembly or private counsel.
In scripture, H5475 is used to describe both divine and human interactions. It signifies God's willingness to share His plans, stating that He "revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets" Amos 3:7. In a human context, it carries a warning, as a "talebearer revealeth secrets" Proverbs 11:13. The term can also denote a physical gathering, such as the assembly of the upright Psalms 111:1 or the council of the wicked from which the psalmist seeks protection Psalms 64:2. This shows its versatility in representing both confidential knowledge and the groups that share it.
Several related words help clarify the meaning of H5475:
- H1540 gâlâh (to reveal): This word describes the action of making a secret known. It is used directly with H5475 when God revealeth his secret to the prophets Amos 3:7 and when a talebearer revealeth secrets to others Proverbs 20:19.
- H3289 yâʻats (to advise; consult): This verb relates to the "counsel" aspect of H5475. The enemies of God's people have "taken crafty counsel H5475 ... and consulted H3289" against them Psalms 83:3.
- H5975 ʻâmad (to stand): This term is used to describe the act of being present in a council. A true prophet is one who has stood in the counsel of the LORD (Jeremiah 23:18, Jeremiah 23:22), implying legitimate access to God's presence and plans.
- H6951 qâhâl (assemblage; assembly): This term is used in parallel with H5475 to denote a formal gathering, as when Jacob proclaims his soul will not enter his sons' secret H5475 or be united with their assembly H6951 Genesis 49:6.
The theological importance of H5475 lies in its connection to divine revelation and intimacy.
- The Divine Council: The word evokes the concept of a heavenly council. Only true prophets are described as having "stood in the counsel of the LORD" Jeremiah 23:18. False prophets are explicitly excluded from the "assembly of my people" Ezekiel 13:9.
- Intimacy with the Righteous: Access to God's secret is not universal but is a privilege for those in right relationship with Him. Scripture states that "the secret of the LORD is with them that fear him" Psalms 25:14 and "his secret is with the righteous" Proverbs 3:32.
- Condition of Revelation: God's secret is the substance of His revelation to humanity. He does nothing without first revealing His secret counsel to His prophets, making it a prerequisite for His actions in the world Amos 3:7.
In summary, H5475 is a multifaceted term that moves beyond a simple definition of "secret." It describes the close, consultative relationship between individuals, the nature of a formal assembly, and, most significantly, the intimate counsel of God. The word illustrates a core biblical theme: God chooses to reveal His purposes and plans to those who fear and follow Him, granting them access to His divine secret.
TRV