The Hebrew word ʼâtsal, represented by H680, is a primitive root used to mean to separate. It appears 5 times across 5 unique verses in the Bible. While properly meaning to join, it is used as a denominative to convey concepts of separating a part from a whole, and is therefore translated as to select, reserve, refuse, contract, or take.
In its most significant usage, H680 describes a divine act of delegation. God tells Moses He will take of the spirit that is upon him and place it upon the seventy elders to help bear the burden of the people Numbers 11:17. This act is fulfilled when the Lord came down and took of the spirit that was upon Moses and gave it to the elders Numbers 11:25. The word is also used to express reservation, as when Esau asks his father, "Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me?" Genesis 27:36. In a different context, it conveys the idea of restriction or contraction, as when a building in Ezekiel's vision was straitened, or narrowed Ezekiel 42:6.
Several related words help clarify the specific meaning of H680 in context:
- H7307 rûwach (spirit): This word, meaning wind, breath, or spirit, is the object that is acted upon by H680 in the book of Numbers. God did not create a new spirit for the elders, but took from the spirit that was already upon Moses Numbers 11:25.
- H3947 lâqach (to take): In Genesis 27:36, Esau laments that Jacob has taken away his birthright and blessing. He then uses H680 to ask if Isaac has reserved any blessing, distinguishing the general act of taking from the specific act of setting a portion aside.
- H4513 mânaʻ (to withhold): The Preacher in Ecclesiastes uses these terms in parallel, stating he kept H680 nothing his eyes desired and withheld H4513 no joy from his heart, showing their close relationship in the sense of refusal or restraint Ecclesiastes 2:10.
The theological weight of H680 is centered on the nature of divine impartation and reservation.
- Delegation of Spiritual Authority: The word is key to understanding how God equips leaders for His service. In Numbers 11, God's act of "taking" from Moses's spirit to give to others demonstrates a model of shared leadership and spiritual gifting, distributing the burden without diminishing the original source Numbers 11:17.
- The Principle of Reservation: In the context of blessing, H680 highlights the concept of setting something precious aside. Esau's desperate question reveals a belief that blessings are finite and must be intentionally reserved to be available Genesis 27:36.
- Consequence of No Restraint: In Ecclesiastes, the negative use of H680 to mean not keeping back or refusing anything from oneself serves as a wisdom lesson on the nature of unrestrained indulgence Ecclesiastes 2:10.
In summary, H680 is a rare but precise term that carries a specific meaning of separating a part from a whole. Though it appears only five times, it powerfully illustrates the concepts of divine impartation, the reservation of blessings, and the choice of personal restraint. From God taking a portion of His spirit for His elders to Esau's plea for a reserved blessing, ʼâtsal demonstrates how the act of setting aside or selecting from a source is a significant action for both God and humanity.
TRV