English · KJV
H7804

שְׁזַב

shᵉzab /shez-ab'/ Ask about this word
Root(Aramaic) corresponding to עָזַב
Meaningto leave, i.e. (causatively) free
KJV usagedeliver.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of shᵉzab — 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 Aramaic word shᵉzab, represented by H7804, means to leave, i.e. (causatively) free; deliver. It appears 9 times across 7 unique verses, with all occurrences found in the book of Daniel. The term specifically denotes a divine act of rescue or liberation from a situation of imminent and certain death.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H7804 is used exclusively in contexts of dramatic deliverance. It first appears when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego defy King Nebuchadnezzar, stating their confidence that "our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace" Daniel 3:17. The king challenges this, asking, "who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?" Daniel 3:15. After their miraculous survival, Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges that God "hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants" Daniel 3:28. The word is used similarly in the account of Daniel in the lions' den, where King Darius expresses his hope, "Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee" Daniel 6:16, and later cries out, "is thy God... able to deliver thee from the lions?" Daniel 6:20.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related Aramaic words provide a fuller picture of the concept of deliverance in Daniel:

  • H3202 yᵉkêl (to be able, can, couldest, prevail): This word is frequently used to question or affirm the capacity for deliverance. It highlights the power behind the act, as seen when King Darius asks if Daniel's God was "able to deliver" him Daniel 6:20, which echoes the friends' earlier declaration that their God "is able to deliver" Daniel 3:17.
  • H5338 nᵉtsal (to extricate; deliver, rescue): This term is used as a direct synonym for H7804, reinforcing the theme of rescue. In his decree, King Darius proclaims that God "delivereth H7804 and rescueth H5338" Daniel 6:27.
  • H6399 pᵉlach (to serve or worship; minister, serve): This word establishes the foundation upon which deliverance is granted. The act of being delivered by God is consistently linked to the recipient's faithful service to Him, as stated by Darius: "Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee" Daniel 6:16.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of H7804 is centered on God's sovereignty and faithfulness.

  • Divine Sovereignty over Earthly Power: The word is used to frame a direct contest between the authority of a human king and the power of God. The deliverance from the furnace and the lions' den serves as God's definitive answer to Nebuchadnezzar's challenge Daniel 3:15.
  • Deliverance as a Reward for Faithfulness: The rescues described are not arbitrary. They are a direct response to the unwavering loyalty of God's servants who "trusted in him" and refused to serve other gods Daniel 3:28. It connects steadfast worship with divine protection.
  • A Witness to the Nations: The acts of deliverance using H7804 compel pagan rulers to acknowledge the supremacy of the God of Israel. God's power to deliver his people ultimately leads to decrees being made in His honor throughout the Babylonian and Persian empires (Daniel 3:28, Daniel 6:27).

Summary

In summary, H7804 is a powerful Aramaic term that encapsulates a core theme in the book of Daniel: God's ultimate power to deliver His faithful followers from mortal peril. It moves beyond a simple concept of rescue to illustrate that such acts are a demonstration of God's sovereignty, a direct response to loyal service, and a testimony of His power to all nations.

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 verb across 9 occurrences, inflected in 4 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.

  • יְשֵׁיזְבִנְ
  • שֵׁיזָבוּתַ
  • שֵׁיזִב
  • מְשֵׁיזִב

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.

H3202 יְכֵל (Aramaic) or יְכִיל; (Aramaic), to יָכֹל; {to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)}; be able, can, co H5338 נְצַל (Aramaic) corresponding to נָצַל; to extricate; deliver, rescue. H6399 פְּלַח (Aramaic) corresponding to פָּלַח; to serve or worship; minister, serve.

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

7 verses, all in Daniel — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

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.