עָצַם

ʻâtsam /aw-tsam'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningalso denominatively (from עֶצֶם); to bind fast, i.e. close (the eyes); intransitively, to be (causatively, make) powerful or numerous; to crunch the bones
KJV usagebreak the bones, close, be great, be increased, be (wax) mighty(-ier), be more, shut, be(-come, make) strong(-er).
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word ʻâtsam, represented by H6105, is a primitive root with a range of meanings centered on power and quantity. Its definitions include to be or make powerful or numerous, to close the eyes, and to break bones. It appears 20 times across 20 unique verses, illustrating its use in describing physical strength, numerical abundance, and decisive action.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical narratives, H6105 is used to convey strength in various contexts. It describes the growth of a nation, as when the children of Israel "waxed exceeding mighty" in Egypt Exodus 1:7 or when Abimelech tells Isaac, "thou art much mightier than we" Genesis 26:16. The word also applies to the strength of adversaries, such as the psalmist's enemies who "are mighty" Psalms 69:4. Beyond physical power, it is used to express great number, as when God's thoughts are declared to be so vast that "they are more than can be numbered" Psalms 40:5. In a more physical sense, it can mean to "shut" one's eyes from evil Isaiah 33:15 or, violently, for an enemy to have "broken his bones" Jeremiah 50:17.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the concepts of strength and abundance associated with H6105:

  • H3581 kôach (vigor, force, might, power): This noun denotes power or ability. It is used to describe the source of might, such as a future king whose power (kôach) will become mighty (ʻâtsam) Daniel 8:24.
  • H6099 ʻâtsûwm (powerful, numerous): This term, a passive participle of ʻâtsam, functions as an adjective. It is used to describe a "strong" nation Isaiah 60:22 and the "mighty" who are subject to destruction Daniel 8:24.
  • H7235 râbâh (to increase, multiply): This verb for increase is used alongside ʻâtsam to show exponential growth. In Egypt, the Israelites "multiplied" (râbâh) and "waxed" exceeding "mighty" (ʻâtsam) Exodus 1:7.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H6105 is seen in its application to divine power, human accountability, and the consequences of sin.

  • Strength and Might: The word contrasts reliance on human power with dependence on God. Israel is warned against trusting in Egypt's "very strong" horsemen instead of the Lord Isaiah 31:1. In contrast, God is the one who ultimately made His people "stronger than their enemies" Psalms 105:24.
  • The Weight of Sin: ʻâtsam is used metaphorically to describe the overwhelming quantity of sin. Judgment comes because sins "were increased" Jeremiah 30:14. The psalmist also expresses this when he cries that his iniquities "are more than the hairs of mine head" Psalms 40:12.
  • Greatness of God: The term is used to express the immensity of God's mind and works. The psalmist marvels at God's thoughts, exclaiming, "how great is the sum of them!" Psalms 139:17.

Summary

In summary, H6105 is a versatile word that connects the concepts of might, number, and forceful action. It can describe the physical strength of a person or nation, the uncountable nature of God's thoughts, or the overwhelming increase of sin. From the growth of Israel in Egypt Exodus 1:7 to the breaking of bones by an enemy Jeremiah 50:17, ʻâtsam conveys a sense of formidable power and scale, making it a significant term for understanding strength and consequence in scripture.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 20 occurrences, inflected in 9 grammatical forms.

  • Qal Perfect 3rd Plural common gender 10×
  • Qal Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Plural Masculine 2×
  • Qal Consecutive Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 2×
  • Hiphil Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Piel Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Piel Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Qal Infinitive Construct 1×
  • Qal Participle Singular Masculine Absolute 1×
  • Qal Perfect 2nd Singular Masculine 1×
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
common gender
Either gender — the form does not distinguish.
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.
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.
Qal
The simple, basic stem — plain action in the active voice.
Piel
The intensive stem — strengthened or emphatic action.
Hiphil
The causative stem — the subject causes the action.
Consecutive Imperfect
Imperfect with vav — carries narrative forward ("and he…").
Consecutive Perfect
Perfect with vav — continues a sequence into the future.
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 20 verses across 6 books. Most frequent in Psalms (6 verses).

1
Genesis
2
Exodus
6
Psalms
3
Isaiah
5
Jeremiah
3
Daniel

Verse Explorer

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