The Hebrew word ʻêz, represented by H5795, refers to a she-goat. Stemming from a root implying strength, it appears 74 times in 74 unique verses. While its primary meaning is a female goat, the masculine plural form is also used, and the term can be used elliptically to refer to goat's hair.
The root from which H5795 is derived, H5810 ('âzaz), conveys a sense of strength, hardiness, or fierceness. This underlying semantic nuance suggests that the ʻêz was valued not only for its utility but also for its robust nature, capable of thriving in diverse and often challenging environments. This resilience likely contributed to its widespread presence in ancient Israelite flocks, making it a reliable source of sustenance and material. While H5795 primarily specifies the female, its frequent use as a generic term for the species underscores its fundamental importance within the pastoral economy, highlighting its adaptability and enduring value. The Aramaic cognate H5796 further confirms this consistent semantic range across closely related Semitic languages.
In biblical narratives, H5795 is used in several distinct ways. It is a key animal in the sacrificial system, frequently specified for sin offerings, peace offerings, and burnt offerings Leviticus 3:12. For a sin offering, the requirement could be for a male "kid of the goats" Leviticus 4:23 or a female "kid of the goats" Leviticus 4:28. Goats also signified wealth and sustenance; a great man's assets included a thousand goats 1 Samuel 25:2, and their milk provided food for the household Proverbs 27:27. The hair of the goat was a vital material, used to make the curtains for the tabernacle Exodus 26:7 and spun by skilled women Exodus 35:26.
Beyond its cultic and economic roles, H5795 features prominently in domestic and narrative contexts, often signifying a valuable item for hospitality or a key element in familial interactions. A "kid of the goats" was a common and appreciated offering of food, as seen when Gideon prepared one for the Angel of the LORD Judges 6:19 or when Manoah offered one as a burnt offering Judges 13:19. The animal also played a pivotal role in stories of deception; Rebekah used two "kids of the goats" to prepare a savory meal for Isaac, helping Jacob impersonate Esau Genesis 27:9, and Joseph's brothers killed a "kid of the goats" to stain Joseph's coat, fabricating evidence of his demise Genesis 37:31. These instances demonstrate the ʻêz as a readily available and significant resource in everyday life, capable of serving both practical needs and dramatic plot points.
Several related words help define the role and variety of goats and other livestock:
- H8163 sâʻîyr (he-goat): This term, meaning shaggy or hairy, often specifies a male goat, particularly a "kid of the goats" for a sin offering, and is used alongside H5795 in sacrificial contexts Leviticus 4:23.
- H1423 gᵉdîy (kid): This word for a young goat is often paired with H5795 to specify the age of the animal, as when Judah promises a "kid H1423 from the flock H5795" Genesis 38:17.
- H8495 tayish (he goat): Described as a buck or he-goat given to butting, this term is used to distinguish the male goats from the "she goats" H5795 when counting flocks Genesis 32:14.
- H6629 tsôʼn (flock): As a collective name for a flock of sheep or goats, this word provides the general agricultural context in which goats were a primary form of wealth and sustenance Genesis 31:38.
- H5799 ʻăzâʼzêl (scapegoat): This compound term, intrinsically linked to H5795 in the ritual of the Day of Atonement, designates the goat sent into the wilderness, symbolizing the removal of the community's sins.
- H5796 ʻêz (goat): This Aramaic cognate demonstrates the consistent identification and importance of the animal across the broader Semitic linguistic sphere, reinforcing the core meaning of the Hebrew term.
The theological weight of H5795 is most evident in its role within Israel's worship and covenant life.
- Atonement and Sin Offering: The goat is central to the laws of atonement. It is repeatedly designated as the required animal for a sin offering, both for individuals and for the entire congregation (Leviticus 16:5, Numbers 15:24).
- Covenant Ritual: The goat was part of the solemn covenant God made with Abram, where a "she goat H5795 of three years old" was one of the animals prepared for the ceremony Genesis 15:9.
- Prophetic Symbolism: In prophetic visions, the goat is used symbolically. The prophet Daniel sees a "he goat H5795" that comes from the west and represents a powerful king Daniel 8:5.
- Poetic Imagery: The beauty and movement of goats are used in poetic comparisons, such as in the Song of Solomon, where hair is described "as a flock of goats, that appear from mount Gilead" Song of Solomon 4:1.
- Purity and Sanctity of Offerings: The repeated requirement for H5795 used in offerings to be "without blemish" (e.g., Leviticus 4:23, Leviticus 4:28, Ezekiel 43:22) underscores the demand for perfection and holiness in approaching God. This stipulation ensured the offering was a fitting representation of the worshiper's best and a symbol of the desired purity for reconciliation.
- Sacrificial Specificity and Substitution: The detailed instructions for specific types of H5795 — male or female, young or adult — for different sin offerings (e.g., Leviticus 4:23 for a ruler, Leviticus 4:28 for a common person, Numbers 15:27 for individual ignorance) reflect the nuanced understanding of sin's impact and the precise nature of substitutionary atonement required by the Mosaic Law. The goat served as a direct substitute, bearing the penalty for specific transgressions.
The Hebrew term H5795 (ʻêz) denotes a she-goat, though its usage often extends to the species generally, reflecting its deep integration into ancient Israelite life. Derived from a root suggesting strength and resilience, the ʻêz was not merely a common animal but a cornerstone of economic stability and daily sustenance. Beyond its role in providing milk and hair for essential materials like tabernacle curtains Exodus 26:7 and household items 1 Samuel 19:13, the goat was a vital food source, frequently prepared for hospitality or as part of the regular diet Judges 6:19, and even played a role in significant, sometimes deceptive, family narratives Genesis 27:9, Genesis 37:31.
The theological significance of H5795 is paramount, primarily within the sacrificial system. It was consistently designated for various offerings, particularly as a sin offering for individuals and the community, emphasizing principles of atonement and reconciliation with God Leviticus 16:5, Numbers 15:24. The meticulous requirements for offerings, such as being "without blemish" Leviticus 4:23, highlighted the divine demand for purity and perfection in worship. Furthermore, the specialized role of the H5795 in the Day of Atonement, especially with the concept of the scapegoat H5799, profoundly symbolized the transfer and removal of sin from the people, underscoring the precise and substitutionary nature of atonement.
From its appearance in Abraham's covenant ceremony Genesis 15:9 to its symbolic representation in prophetic visions Daniel 8:5 and poetic imagery Song of Solomon 4:1, H5795 transcends its zoological classification to embody crucial aspects of Israel's covenant relationship with God. The consistent presence of the H5795 across practical, social, and sacred contexts underscores its multifaceted importance, establishing it as a powerful symbol of provision, purity, and profound spiritual truth within the Old Testament narrative.
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