a primitive root; to consult; take advice ((counsel) together).
Transliteration:ʻûwts
Pronunciation:oots
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The primitive root H5779 (ʻûwts) primarily signifies the act of "consulting" or "taking counsel." Its core meaning suggests a deliberate process of seeking or giving advice, often in a collective or collaborative manner, as indicated by the nuance "counsel together." This implies a reasoned discussion, deliberation, and the formation of a plan or decision based on shared input. The word points to the intellectual and volitional process involved in strategic thinking and decision-making, often with significant implications for action. It is distinct from mere casual discussion, carrying the weight of seeking or providing guidance for a specific purpose.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The primitive root H5779 appears in the Hebrew Bible primarily in [[Isaiah 8:10]]. In this singular yet potent occurrence, the prophet Isaiah declares, "Take counsel together (עוּצוּ), but it will come to nothing; speak the word, but it will not stand, for God is with us." Here, ʻûwts is used in the Qal imperative plural, addressing hostile nations (likely Syria and Ephraim) who are conspiring against Judah and the Davidic dynasty. The context emphasizes the utter futility of human counsel and strategic planning when it directly opposes the sovereign will and promised presence of God. Their collective deliberation, no matter how thorough or malicious, is ultimately rendered ineffective and void by divine decree. This passage powerfully highlights a foundational theological principle: human wisdom and conspiracy are powerless against the Lord's immutable purposes.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most closely related and frequently used word for "counsel" or "advice" in the Hebrew Bible is עֵצָה (ʻetsah, `{{H6098}}`), which is derived from the root יָעַץ (yaʻats, `{{H3289}}`), meaning "to counsel, advise." While H5779 is a distinct primitive root, its semantic domain overlaps significantly with יָעַץ. יָעַץ (`{{H3289}}`) and its derivatives are used extensively for both human counsel (e.g., [[2 Samuel 17:7]], [[Proverbs 11:14]]) and, crucially, for divine counsel (e.g., [[Isaiah 46:10]], [[Psalm 33:11]]). Other related concepts include מְזִמָּה (mezimmah, `{{H4209}}`), denoting "device" or "plan," often with a negative connotation of evil plotting, and מַחֲשָׁבָה (machashabah, `{{H4284}}`), meaning "thought" or "plan," which can be good or evil. The unique distinction of H5779 lies in its primitive nature and its specific, emphatic use in [[Isaiah 8:10]] to denote the *act* of collective consultation, particularly in a context of opposition to God's established will.
### Theological Significance
The singular, yet profoundly impactful, appearance of H5779 in [[Isaiah 8:10]] carries immense theological weight. It serves as a powerful declaration of God's absolute sovereignty. Human attempts to scheme, plot, or collectively devise plans (ʻûwts) that run contrary to God's will are destined to fail. The emphatic declaration "it will come to nothing" (לֹא תָקוּם) underscores the utter futility and impotence of such endeavors. The divine presence, encapsulated in the name "Immanuel" ("for God is with us" - כִּי עִמָּנוּ אֵל), is presented as the ultimate nullifier of all human counsel and conspiracy. This passage highlights an essential contrast between limited, fallible human wisdom and the omniscient, irresistible wisdom of God. While humans "take counsel," God's counsel (cf. `{{H6098}}` from `{{H3289}}`) always stands firm and cannot be thwarted (e.g., [[Psalm 33:11]]). Thus, ʻûwts functions as a stark theological marker, emphasizing the vanity of rebellion against the divine plan and affirming the unshakable security found in trusting in God's protective presence.
### Summary
The primitive Hebrew root H5779 (ʻûwts), meaning "to consult" or "take counsel together," appears most notably in [[Isaiah 8:10]]. In this pivotal verse, it describes the futile collective plotting of hostile nations against Judah. The prophet Isaiah declares that their counsel, though deliberated, "will come to nothing" because "God is with us" (Immanuel). This singular usage powerfully articulates the theological truth of God's absolute sovereignty, demonstrating that human plans and conspiracies, when opposed to His divine will, are utterly ineffective. H5779 thus serves as a potent reminder of the unassailable nature of God's purposes and the ultimate futility of human wisdom that stands in defiance of Him, contrasting sharply with the enduring and unchangeable nature of divine counsel (cf. `{{H3289}}`, `{{H6098}}`).
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