a primitive root; to be strong; causatively, to stregthen, i.e. (figuratively) to save (by flight); gather (self, self to flee), retire.
Transliteration:ʻûwz
Pronunciation:ooz
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew verb `{{H5756}}` (ʻûwz) is a primitive root carrying the core semantic meaning of "to be strong." From this foundational sense, its semantic range expands to encompass the dynamic application of strength, particularly in the context of self-preservation. In its causative form, it means "to strengthen." However, a significant figurative development leads to the meaning "to save (by flight)," implying that strength is utilized for strategic withdrawal or escape from danger. This nuance is further elaborated by the associated actions of "gathering oneself to flee" or "retiring." Thus, ʻûwz describes not just an inherent state of power, but the active, often urgent, use of that power to find security, refuge, or escape from an adverse situation. The strength is manifested in the ability to move decisively away from threat.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of `{{H5756}}` in the Hebrew Bible consistently illustrate its meaning of fleeing or seeking refuge, often under duress. In [[1 Samuel 23:26]], the word describes David's urgent flight from Saul, emphasizing the speed and resolve with which he and his men "hurried to get away" to avoid capture. Here, the strength is in the swiftness and determination of their escape.
In prophetic literature, ʻûwz frequently appears in warnings and exhortations. [[Isaiah 10:3]] poses a rhetorical question to the unrighteous: "What will you do on the day of punishment, in the devastation that comes from afar? To whom will you flee for help, and where will you leave your wealth?" This verse highlights the futility of seeking human or material refuge when divine judgment is at hand, underscoring the desperate need for a true sanctuary. Similarly, [[Jeremiah 4:6]] issues a stark command: "Raise a signal toward Zion! Flee for safety! Do not delay, for I am bringing disaster from the north, even great destruction." The imperative "flee for safety" (often translated from ʻûwz) conveys the urgency and necessity of taking decisive action to preserve life in the face of impending calamity.
The word also appears in laments, such as [[Psalm 142:4]], where the psalmist cries out, "Look to my right and see; no one is concerned for me. I have no refuge; no one cares for my soul." Here, the absence of ʻûwz (no place to flee, no one to provide refuge) underscores a profound sense of isolation and vulnerability. The contexts consistently demonstrate that ʻûwz is about the active, sometimes desperate, movement towards security, often from a position of weakness or threat.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of `{{H5756}}` is closely connected to other Hebrew terms that describe strength, refuge, and security. Most notably, the noun `{{H4581}}` (ma'oz), meaning "stronghold," "fortress," or "refuge," derives from the same root. While ʻûwz is the verb describing the act of fleeing to or seeking strength, ma'oz is the place or state of strength and security itself. This relationship highlights that the act of ʻûwz often aims towards finding a ma'oz.
Another related term is `{{H5797}}` (oz), which is a more general noun for "strength," "might," or "power." While oz describes the inherent quality, ʻûwz describes the dynamic application of that quality, specifically for escape or preservation.
Conceptually, ʻûwz is linked to themes of divine protection, human vulnerability, and the search for security in a perilous world. It contrasts with ideas of standing firm or confronting danger, instead emphasizing strategic withdrawal and the pursuit of safety.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H5756}}` lies in its portrayal of human vulnerability and the ultimate source of true refuge. The recurring command or description of "fleeing for safety" acknowledges the realities of danger, persecution, and divine judgment in the human experience. It is a recognition that there are times when human strength is insufficient for direct confrontation, necessitating a strategic retreat.
Crucially, the question then becomes: "To whom will you flee?" While the verb itself describes human action, the biblical narrative consistently points to God as the ultimate and only reliable refuge. When humans ʻûwz *to* anything other than God—whether to other nations, idols, or their own resources—it is often portrayed as futile or even condemned. The true strength implied by ʻûwz is not merely physical speed or cunning, but the spiritual discernment to know where ultimate safety lies. Thus, the act of fleeing for safety can become an act of faith, an acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and His capacity to provide an unshakeable ma'oz. It underscores that genuine security is not found in self-reliance but in divine provision and protection.
### Summary
`{{H5756}}` (ʻûwz) is a powerful Hebrew verb that moves beyond a simple definition of "to be strong" to encompass the dynamic application of strength for self-preservation. It primarily describes the act of fleeing, seeking refuge, or strategically withdrawing from danger. Biblical occurrences highlight its use in contexts of urgent escape from enemies or impending judgment, underscoring human vulnerability and the desperate need for security. Closely related to nouns like `{{H4581}}` (refuge) and `{{H5797}}` (strength), ʻûwz emphasizes the active pursuit of safety. Theologically, it points to the reality of human peril and, implicitly, to God as the ultimate and only reliable source of refuge, transforming the act of fleeing into a potential expression of faith and reliance on divine protection.
TRV