English · KJV
H679

אַצִּיל

ʼatstsîyl /ats-tseel'/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom אָצַל (in its primary sense of uniting)
Meaninga joint of the hand (i.e. knuckle); also (according to some) a party-wall (Ezekiel 41:8)
KJV usage(arm) hole, great.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of ʼatstsîyl — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word ʼatstsîyl, represented by H679, carries multiple meanings depending on its context, including a joint of the hand, an armhole, or a great measurement. It is derived from a root meaning to unite. This specific term appears only 3 times in 3 unique verses, making each occurrence distinct in its application.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H679 is used in both literal and descriptive ways. Two instances refer to the literal armholes of a person. In a prophecy against false prophetesses, the Lord GOD (H136, H3069) decries those who sew pillows to all armholes to hunt souls Ezekiel 13:18. In a narrative of deliverance, Ebed-melech H5663 instructs Jeremiah H3414 to place rags under his armholes to be rescued from a dungeon Jeremiah 38:12. The third use is architectural, describing the foundations of the temple side chambers as being a full reed of six great cubits Ezekiel 41:8.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the contexts in which H679 is found:

  • H3027 yâd (hand): This word for hand is used alongside H679 to physically locate the "armholes," linking the term to the arm and its joints (Jeremiah 38:12, Ezekiel 13:18).
  • H6679 tsûwd (to hunt): The use of pillows on armholes is part of a practice to hunt souls, a key action condemned by God in the prophecy of Ezekiel Ezekiel 13:18.
  • H1094 bᵉlôwʼ (old): These old rags, along with rotten ones, were the materials Ebed-melech provided to place under Jeremiah's armholes for his rescue Jeremiah 38:12.
  • H7070 qâneh (reed): This measuring reed is used to define the size of the "six great cubits" in Ezekiel's vision, providing a specific dimension for the temple's foundations Ezekiel 41:8.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of H679 is demonstrated through its varied applications:

  • Condemnation of Deceptive Comfort: In Ezekiel's prophecy, the word is part of a divine woe H1945 against those who use objects of comfort on armholes to ensnare people, highlighting God's judgment on practices that provide false security to hunt the souls H5315 of His people Ezekiel 13:18.
  • A Means of Physical Deliverance: The term is central to the rescue of the prophet Jeremiah. The practical instruction to cushion his armholes H679 illustrates a tangible act of mercy and the preservation of God's servant Jeremiah 38:12.
  • Descriptor of Divine Grandeur: When used to describe the temple's foundations, H679 as "great" points to the scale and precise design of God's holy house H1004. This highlights the majesty and intentionality of the sacred space shown in the vision Ezekiel 41:8.

Summary

In summary, though rare, H679 ʼatstsîyl is a versatile word with specific applications. It shifts from a literal anatomical term in contexts of both spiritual deception and physical rescue to a descriptor of architectural scale in a divine vision of the temple. Its usage demonstrates how a single Hebrew word can convey different meanings, contributing to our understanding of prophetic warnings, acts of compassion, and the grandeur of God's design.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 3 occurrences, inflected in 3 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • אַצִּלוֹת
  • אַצִּילֵי
  • אַצִּילָה

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H136 אֲדֹנָי an emphatic form of אָדוֹן; the Lord (used as a proper name of God only); (my) Lord. H3069 יְהֹוִה a variation of יְהֹוָה (used after אֲדֹנָי, and pronounced by Jews as אֱלֹהִים, in order to prevent the repetition of th H5663 עֶבֶד מֶלֶךְ from עֶבֶד and מֶלֶךְ; servant of a king; Ebed-Melek, a eunuch of Zedekeah; Ebed-melech. H3414 יִרְמְיָה or יִרְמְיָהוּ; from רוּם and יָהּ; Jah will rise; Jirmejah, the name of eight or nine Israelites; Jeremiah. H3027 יָד a primitive word; in distinction from כַּף, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applicat H6679 צוּד a primitive root; also denominative from צַיִד; to lie alongside (i.e. in wait); by implication, to catch an animal (fig

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 3 verses across 2 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Ezekiel (2 verses); never once in the other 37.

1
Jeremiah
2
Ezekiel

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.