from an unused root meaning to be sharp or strong; a spear; Eznite (from the margin).
Transliteration:ʻêtsen
Pronunciation:ay'-tsen
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma עֵצֶן (ʻêtsen), Strong's `{{H6112}}`, is derived from an unused root that conveys the sense of being "sharp" or "strong." Its primary semantic domain is that of a weapon, specifically a "spear." This definition highlights the implement's pointed nature and its capacity for forceful impact. The secondary, parenthetical definition, "Eznite (from the margin)," indicates a textual variant or a proper noun usage, likely referring to a person or group associated with the qualities of sharpness, strength, or perhaps skill in wielding such a weapon. This suggests עֵצֶן can function both as a common noun for a weapon and potentially as a proper noun or an adjectival descriptor for an individual or lineage.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word עֵצֶן (ʻêtsen) appears only once in the Masoretic Text, presenting a unique and significant contextual moment.
* **[[2 Samuel 23:8]]**: "These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: Josheb-basshebeth, a Tahchemonite; he was chief of the three. He wielded his spear against eight hundred whom he killed at one time."
In this verse, עֵצֶן is translated as "spear" (or "javelin" in some versions), describing the formidable weapon used by Josheb-basshebeth, one of David's most elite warriors. The context is a list of David's "mighty men" (גִּבֹּרִים, *gibborim*), renowned for their extraordinary strength and martial prowess. Josheb-basshebeth's ability to slay eight hundred men with his עֵצֶן in a single encounter underscores the weapon's destructive potential and, more importantly, the unparalleled skill and might of the warrior wielding it. The marginal note "Eznite" in some textual traditions for Josheb-basshebeth suggests an alternative reading where the term refers to a tribal or familial designation, possibly indicating a lineage known for strength or martial ability, rather than the weapon itself. However, the primary and most widely accepted reading is "spear," emphasizing the instrument of his incredible feat.
### Related Words & Concepts
The core meaning of עֵצֶן (ʻêtsen) as "sharp" or "strong" connects it to a broader semantic field of power, efficacy, and martial capability.
* **Other words for "spear" or "lance":** The Hebrew Bible employs several terms for such weapons, each with subtle nuances. These include חֲנִית (chanith, `{{H2595}}`), the most common term for a "spear" or "lance"; רֹמַח (romach, `{{H7420}}`), also meaning "spear"; and כִּידוֹן (kiydon, `{{H3591}}`), often translated as "javelin" or "lance." The use of עֵצֶן in [[2 Samuel 23:8]] might imply a particular type of spear, perhaps one noted for its exceptional sharpness or strength, fitting the extraordinary nature of Josheb-basshebeth's feat.
* **Concepts of Strength and Might:** The word's root meaning directly links it to concepts of physical power, effectiveness, and the ability to overcome opposition. This aligns with the description of David's "mighty men" as epitomes of strength and valor.
* **"Eznite" as a proper noun:** If the "Eznite" reading is considered, it would connect עֵצֶן to tribal or personal identity, similar to other descriptive epithets or lineage names found in biblical genealogies and historical narratives. This would suggest a family or group distinguished by the qualities of strength or martial prowess.
### Theological Significance
While עֵצֶן (ʻêtsen) refers to a physical weapon and does not carry inherent theological meaning, its singular biblical appearance in [[2 Samuel 23:8]] imbues it with theological significance through its context. The "mighty men" of David, including Josheb-basshebeth, were instruments in God's plan for establishing and securing the Davidic kingdom, a crucial phase in salvation history.
* **Divine Empowerment for Warfare:** The extraordinary feats performed with the עֵצֶן by Josheb-basshebeth can be seen as an example of divine empowerment. God often grants strength, skill, and success to His chosen instruments to accomplish His sovereign purposes, even in the realm of warfare. The ability to wield such a weapon with devastating effect points to a strength that transcends mere human capability, hinting at a divine enabling.
* **The Nature of Earthly Power in God's Service:** The עֵצֶן represents the zenith of human martial power and skill. Yet, within the biblical narrative, this power is always understood as subservient to and ultimately directed by God's will. The valor of David's mighty men, though expressed through physical combat, served to uphold the kingdom God had established through David, a kingdom that foreshadowed the eternal reign of the Messiah.
* **Valor and Faithfulness:** The account of David's mighty men, and the tools they used, highlights the valor and faithfulness required to serve God's purposes in a fallen world. Their dedication to David, God's anointed king, reflects a broader principle of commitment to God's ordained leadership and mission.
### Summary
The Hebrew word עֵצֶן (ʻêtsen, `{{H6112}}`) primarily signifies a "spear," deriving from an unused root implying "sharpness" or "strength." Its singular, yet impactful, appearance in the Masoretic Text is found in [[2 Samuel 23:8]], where it describes the formidable weapon wielded by Josheb-basshebeth, one of David's mightiest warriors, in an act of unparalleled martial prowess. This instance underscores the weapon's destructive capability and the extraordinary strength of its bearer. While the term may also carry a marginal reading of "Eznite" as a proper noun, its primary function in the text is as a tangible instrument of warfare. Theologically, עֵצֶן serves as a symbol of the human strength and skill, divinely empowered, that God utilizes to fulfill His purposes in history, particularly in the establishment and defense of His kingdom through His chosen leaders and their champions.
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