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Lexicon :: Strong's H2388 - ḥāzaq

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חָזַק
Transliteration
ḥāzaq
Pronunciation
khaw-zak'
Part of Speech
verb
Root Word (Etymology)
A primitive root
Dictionary Aids

TWOT Reference: 636

Strong’s Definitions

חָזַק châzaq, khaw-zak'; a primitive root; to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restrain, conquer:—aid, amend, × calker, catch, cleave, confirm, be constant, constrain, continue, be of good (take) courage(-ous, -ly), encourage (self), be established, fasten, force, fortify, make hard, harden, help, (lay) hold (fast), lean, maintain, play the man, mend, become (wax) mighty, prevail, be recovered, repair, retain, seize, be (wax) sore, strengthen (self), be stout, be (make, shew, wax) strong(-er), be sure, take (hold), be urgent, behave self valiantly, withstand.

KJV Translation Count — Total: 290x

The KJV translates Strong's H2388 in the following manner: strong (48x), repair (47x), hold (37x), strengthened (28x), strengthen (14x), harden (13x), prevail (10x), encourage (9x), take (9x), courage (8x), caught (5x), stronger (5x), hold (5x), miscellaneous (52x).

KJV Translation Count — Total: 290x
The KJV translates Strong's H2388 in the following manner: strong (48x), repair (47x), hold (37x), strengthened (28x), strengthen (14x), harden (13x), prevail (10x), encourage (9x), take (9x), courage (8x), caught (5x), stronger (5x), hold (5x), miscellaneous (52x).

  1. to strengthen, prevail, harden, be strong, become strong, be courageous, be firm, grow firm, be resolute, be sore

    1. (Qal)

      1. to be strong, grow strong

        1. to prevail, prevail upon

        2. to be firm, be caught fast, be secure

        3. to press, be urgent

        4. to grow stout, grow rigid, grow hard (bad sense)

        5. to be severe, be grievous

      2. to strengthen

    2. (Piel)

      1. to make strong

      2. to restore to strength, give strength

      3. to strengthen, sustain, encourage

      4. to make strong, make bold, encourage

      5. to make firm

      6. to make rigid, make hard

    3. (Hiphil)

      1. to make strong, strengthen

      2. to make firm

      3. to display strength

      4. to make severe

      5. to support

      6. to repair

      7. to prevail, prevail upon

      8. to have or take or keep hold of, retain, hold up, sustain, support

      9. to hold, contain

    4. (Hithpael)

      1. to strengthen oneself

      2. to put forth strength, use one's strength

      3. to withstand

      4. to hold strongly with

Strong’s Definitions [?](Strong’s Definitions Legend)
חָזַק châzaq, khaw-zak'; a primitive root; to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restrain, conquer:—aid, amend, × calker, catch, cleave, confirm, be constant, constrain, continue, be of good (take) courage(-ous, -ly), encourage (self), be established, fasten, force, fortify, make hard, harden, help, (lay) hold (fast), lean, maintain, play the man, mend, become (wax) mighty, prevail, be recovered, repair, retain, seize, be (wax) sore, strengthen (self), be stout, be (make, shew, wax) strong(-er), be sure, take (hold), be urgent, behave self valiantly, withstand.
STRONGS H2388: Abbreviations
חָזַק 291 verb be or grow firm, strong, strengthen (Late Hebrew id.; Aramaic Qfzo חֲזַק bind on or about, gird on, compare Arabic حَزَقَ bind, squeeze) —
† Qal Perfect ח׳ Genesis 41:57 + 4 times; חָזָק֑ 2 Chronicles 26:15; suffix חֲזָקוֺ 2 Chronicles 28:20, etc.; Imperfect יֶהֱז֑ק 2 Chronicles 28:7 (Baer) + 2 times; וַיֶּחֱזַק Genesis 41:56 +; יֶחֶזְקוּ 2 Samuel 10:11 + 2 times; יֶחְזְקוּ Isaiah 28:22; Imperative חֲזַק Deuteronomy 12:23 +; חִזְקוּ Deuteronomy 31:6 +; Infinitive construct לְחָזְקָה 2 Kings 12:13; suffix לְחָזְקָהּ Ezekiel 30:21; Participle חָזֵק [H2390 Exodus 19:19; 2 Samuel 3:1], etc.; —
I. intransitive be or grow strong: —
1. a. of physical strength of hands Judges 7:11; 2 Samuel 2:7; 2 Samuel 16:21; Ezekiel 22:14; Zechariah 8:9, 13 (on Ezekiel 3:14 see below); of arm, followed by infinitive Ezekiel 30:21; used of recovery from illness Isaiah 39:1; followed by מִן of comparison over power 1 Samuel 17:50 (with בְּ instrumental), 2 Samuel 13:14.
b. of people, army Deuteronomy 11:8; Joshua 17:13 (JE), = Judges 1:28; Ezra 9:12; followed by מִן comparative be stronger than, too strong for, prevail against 2 Samuel 10:11 (twice in verse) = 1 Chronicles 19:12 (twice in verse); 1 Kings 20:23, 25; id., followed by accusative 1 Kings 16:22, compare of י׳ as prevailing over man Jeremiah 20:7 (|| יָכֹל); followed by על 2 Chronicles 8:3; 27:5.
c. of royal power וְדָוִד הֹלֵךְ וְהָזֵק [H2390 2 Samuel 3:1] (opposed to הֹלְכִים וְדַלִּים); compare 2 Chronicles 26:15 (|| חֶזְקָה 2 Chronicles 26:16), Daniel 11:5a.
d. prevail over, upon, of word of king 2 Samuel 24:4 (followed by אֶלֿ) = 1 Chronicles 21:4 (followed by עַל).
e. of bonds Isaiah 28:22.
f. of sound of trumpet הוֺלֵךְ וְהָזֵק מְאֹד [H2390 Exodus 19:19] (E, compare חָזָק Exodus 19:16) it grew much louder and louder.
2. be firm, fast: —
a. literally be caught fast, of Absalom's head 2 Samuel 18:9 (followed by בְּ).
b. be firm, secure, of a kingdom 2 Kings 14:5 (+ בְּיָדוֺ) = 2 Chronicles 25:3 (+ עָלָיו). Oftener
c. be firm = courageous, confident, especially Imperative, usually || אמץ (which see), Deuteronomy 31:6, 7, 23; Joshua 1:6, 7, 9, 18; Joshua 10:25; Joshua 23:6 (all D), 2 Samuel 10:12; 2 Samuel 13:28; 1 Kings 2:2; 1 Chronicles 19:13 (|| התחזק), 1 Chronicles 22:13; 1 Chronicles 28:10, 20; 2 Chronicles 15:7; 19:11; 32:7; Ezra 10:4; Psalm 27:14; Psalm 31:25; Isaiah 35:4; Isaiah 41:6; Haggai 2:4 (3 times in verse); Daniel 10:19 (twice in verse); followed byלַמִּלְחָמָה 2 Chronicles 25:8.
d. hold firmly to, devote oneself to, followed by בְּ 2 Chronicles 31:4.
e. followed by Infinitive be firm not to eat blood, i.e. firmly refrain from it Deuteronomy 12:23, compare 1 Chronicles 28:7.
3. press, be urgent, followed by עַל + Infinitive Exodus 12:33 (E); followed by עַל of hand of י׳ in prophetic ecstasy Ezekiel 3:14 ( Co read חֲזָקָה, adjective, see חָזָק).
4. in bad sense:
a. grow stout, rigid, hard, with idea of perversity, of Pharaoh's heart Exodus 7:13, 22; Exodus 8:15 (all P), Exodus 9:35 (R); compare חזקו עָלַי דבריכם Malachi 3:13.
b. be severe, grievous, of battle 2 Kings 3:26; of famine Genesis 41:56, 57 (E), Genesis 47:20 (J; followed by על), 2 Kings 25:3 = Jeremiah 52:6.
II. transitive only לֹא חֲזֶקוֺ 2 Chronicles 28:20 strengthened him not, but text very dubious (|| וַיָצַר לוֺ).
Pi. Perfect חִזַּק Psalm 147:13 +, etc.; Imperfect וַיְחַזֵּק Exodus 9:12 + 10 times, etc.; Imperative חַזֵּק Nehemiah 6:9 + 2 times; feminine singular חַזְּקִי Nahum 3:14; חַזֵּ֑קִי Isaiah 54:2 etc.; Infinitive construct חַזֵּק 2 Kings 12:9 + 12 times; Participle מְחַזֵּק Exodus 14:17; מְחַזְּקִים 2 Kings 12:9; —
1. make strong (physically):
a. followed by accusative of person Judges 16:28; followed by על Judges 3:12; followed by מָתְנַיִם Nahum 2:2 (|| אַמֵּץ כֹּחַ; of personified people).
b.＝restore to strength Daniel 10:18, 19; to health Ezekiel 34:4, 16; with לְ give strength to 1 Chronicles 29:12; so, followed by זְרוֺעֹתָם, Hosea 7:15; Ezekiel 30:24 (and Ezekiel 30:25 Co, see Hiph.)
c. followed by accusative of thing Isaiah 41:7; Jeremiah 10:4 (both with בְּ instrumental; of manufacture of idols); of strengthening tent-pegs, in metaphor Isaiah 54:4, compare Isaiah 33:23; followed by bars of gates Psalm 147:13; often of making strong, fortifying a town, etc. Nahum 3:14; 2 Chronicles 11:11, 12; 26:9; 32:5; = repair (wall, object not expressed) Nehemiah 3:19 see Hiph.; with accusative of temple 2 Kings 12:6; 2 Kings 12:7; 2 Kings 12:15; 2 Kings 22:6; 2 Chronicles 24:5, 12; 29:3; 34:8, compare 2 Chronicles 34:10 (|| לִבְדּוֺק); followed by לְבית י׳ 1 Chronicles 26:27; object breaches (accusative) 2 Kings 12:8; 2 Kings 12:9; 2 Kings 12:13; 2 Kings 22:5.
d. of establishing kingdom 2 Chronicles 11:17.
2. strengthen the hands (accusative) of any one, i.e. sustain, encourage (opposed to רִפָּה) Judges 9:24; Jeremiah 23:14; Ezekiel 13:22; Isaiah 35:3; Job 4:3; Ezra 6:22; Nehemiah 2:18; Nehemiah 6:9; 2 Chronicles 29:34; ידו בֵּאלהים וַיְח׳ 1 Samuel 23:16; followed by בְּ Ezra 1:6 (+ בְּ instrumental)
3. make strong = bold, encourage, with accusative Deuteronomy 1:38; Deuteronomy 3:28; 2 Samuel 11:5; Isaiah 41:7; with accusative of person + לַעֲבֹדַת בֵּית י׳ 2 Chronicles 35:2.
4. make firm: —
a. with 2 accusative וְאַבְנֵֽֽֽטְךָ אֲחַוְּקֶנּוּ Isaiah 22:21 and with thy sash (of office) will I make him firm, i.e. bind it firmly about him (|| הלבישׁ).
b. make firm or fixed, = definitely adopt ֿ יח׳ לָמוֺ דָּבָר רָע Psalm 64:6.
5. make rigid, hard, i.e. perverse, obstinate, harden (the heart of any one) Exodus 4:21; Exodus 10:20, 27 (all E), Exodus 9:12; Exodus 11:10; Exodus 14:4, 8, 17 (all P), Joshua 11:20 (D); see also פניהם מִסֶּלַע ח׳ Jeremiah 5:3.
Hiph.118 Perfect הֶחֱזִיק Judges 7:8 +; 3rd person feminine singular הֶחֱזִ֫יקָה Jeremiah 49:24 +; suffix הֶחֱזִקָ֑תְנִי Jeremiah 8:21; הֶחֱזַ֫קָתִּי Nehemiah 5:16 + 3 times; וְהַחֲזַקְתִּ֫י Ezekiel 30:23, etc.; Imperfect יַחֲזִיק Job 8:15 + 2 times; 1st person singular וְאַחְזֵק Isaiah 42:6; יַחֲזִיקוּ Jeremiah 6:23 + 2 times; יַחֲזִקוּ Daniel 11:32, etc.; Imperative הַחֲזֵק 2 Samuel 11:25 + 2 times, etc.; Infinitive construct הַחֲזִיק 2 Kings 15:19; Isaiah 64:6; suffix הֶחֱזִיקִי Jeremiah 31:32 (הַח׳ Manuscript Petrop. see RSJPh xvi, 1888, 73); Participle מַחֲזִיק Exodus 9:2 + 9 times; suffix מַחֲזִקָהּ Daniel 11:6; feminine singular מַחֲזֶקֶת Nehemiah 4:11; plural מַחֲזִיקִים Nehemiah 4:10 + 5 times; construct מַחֲוִיקֵי Ezekiel 27:9, 27; —
† 1. a. make strong, strengthen Jeremiah 51:12.
b. make firm, the kingdom 2 Kings 15:19 (+ בְּיָדוֺ).
c. display strength (late) 2 Chronicles 26:8 (|| וַיֵלֶךְ שְׁמוֺ עַד וגו׳), Daniel 11:32 (|| וְעָשׂוּ).
† 2. make severe, of battle 2 Samuel 11:25.
† 3. followed by יד = support Ezekiel 16:49; followed by זְרוֺעוֺת Ezekiel 30:25 (subject י׳; but Co reads Pi. as † Ezekiel 30:24).
4.＝repair, walls of Jerusalem, Nehemiah 3:4 (3 times in verse) + 31 times Nehemiah 3; compare (in general) participle used substantively מחזיקי בדקף Ezekiel 27:9, 27 of Tyre and her ships (|| מַלָּחִים, etc.)
† 5. prevail, absolute Daniel 11:7; followed by עַל Job 18:9; prevail upon to בּוֺ לֶאֱכֹל הח׳ 2 Kings 4:8.
6. especially take or keep hold of, seize, grasp:
a. take hold of, seize, catch, followed by בְּ Genesis 19:4(J), Genesis 21:18(E), Exodus 4:4 (J; || אחז), Judges 7:20; 1 Samuel 15:27; 2 Samuel 1:11; 1 Kings 1:50; 1 Kings 2:28; 2 Kings 2:12; 2 Kings 4:27; Isaiah 4:1; Zechariah 8:23 (twice in verse); Proverbs 7:13; Proverbs 26:17, compare also Judges 19:25, 29; 2 Chronicles 28:15; with violence Deuteronomy 22:25; Deuteronomy 25:11; 1 Samuel 17:35 (perhaps of consecutive frequently, see Dr), 2 Samuel 2:16; 2 Samuel 13:11; followed by לְ 2 Samuel 15:5; figurative take hold in order to lead one (subject י׳) followed by בְּ Jeremiah 31:32, with accusative Isaiah 41:9, 13; compare Isaiah 51:18 (בְּ; || נֵהֵל); followed by accusative Nahum 3:14 take hold of the brick-mould, Jeremiah 6:23 = Jeremiah 50:42, Zechariah 14:13 (with violence), Psalm 35:2; Nehemiah 4:10; Nehemiah 4:11, seize the kingdom Daniel 11:21; in metaphor Micah 4:9 (הֶחֱזִיקֵךְ חִיל), Jeremiah 6:24; Jeremiah 8:21; Jeremiah 49:24 (see Gie), Jeremiah 50:43; of pious laying hold of י׳, followed by בְּ Isaiah 64:6; compare Isaiah 27:5; Isaiah 56:2, 4, 6; of other gods 1 Kings 9:9 2 Chronicles 7:22; laying hold of wisdom Proverbs 3:18, compare Proverbs 4:13; Job 2:3, 9; Job 27:6; Jeremiah 8:5.
b. have or keep hold of, followed by בְּ Judges 16:26; 2 Samuel 3:29; Jeremiah 50:33; Nehemiah 4:15.
c. hold up, followed by בְּ, figurative = sustain, support Leviticus 25:35; of י׳ holding his servants Isaiah 42:6; Isaiah 45:1, compare Job 8:20; see also participle used substantively Daniel 11:1 (|| מָעוֺז), Daniel 11:6 (|| מֵבִיא, יֹלֵד); of Nehemiah holding fast to his (בְּ) his work Nehemiah 5:16; compare of wicked, holding to his house Job 8:15; cleave or cling to (על) one's brethren Nehemiah 10:30. hence c. keep, retain, followed by בְּ Exodus 9:2 (J), Judges 7:8; Judges 19:4; so Ezekiel 7:13 Sm Co (MT Hithp.); followed by anger (accusative) Micah 7:18.
d. hence also hold, contain, followed by accusative 2 Chronicles 4:5.
† Hithp. (especially Chronicles) Perfect הִתְחַזַּק 2 Chronicles 13:7 + 3 times, etc., Imperfect וַיִּתְחַוֵּק Genesis 48:2 + 7 times; וַיִּתְחַזַּק 2 Chronicles 21:4; 32:5; יִתְחַזָּ֑קוּ Ezekiel 7:13 (but Sm Co read Hiph.), etc.; Imperative הִתְחַוַּק 1 Kings 20:22; הִתְחַזְּקוּ 1 Samuel 4:9; Infinitive construct לְהִתְחַזֵּק 2 Chronicles 13:8; 16:9; Participle מִתְחַזֵּק 2 Samuel 3:6; Daniel 10:21; plural מִתְחַזְּקִים 1 Chronicles 11:10; —
1. strengthen oneself 2 Samuel 3:6; 1 Kings 20:22; 2 Chronicles 1:1; 12:13; 13:21; 21:4; 23:1; 25:11; 27:6; followed by עַל against 2 Chronicles 17:1; gain strength Ezra 7:28; Daniel 10:19, compare ביהוה הִתְח׳ 1 Samuel 30:6; figurative= take courage 2 Chronicles 15:8.
2. put forth strength, use one's strength Genesis 48:2 (i.e. he exerted himself, he sat up by a great effort), Numbers 13:20 Judges 20:22; 1 Samuel 4:9; 2 Samuel 10:12; 1 Chronicles 19:13; 2 Chronicles 32:5.
3. followed by לִפְנֵי withstand 2 Chronicles 13:7, 8.
4. followed by עִם hold strongly with 1 Chronicles 11:10; Daniel 10:21, compare of י׳, עִם לְבָבָם שָׁלֵם אֵלָיו להתח׳ 2 Chronicles 16:9. — For יִתְחַזָּ֑קו Ezekiel 7:13 read Hiph., see Sm Co Da.
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BLB Scripture Index of Brown-Driver-Briggs

Genesis

19:4; 21:18; 41:56; 41:56; 41:57; 41:57; 47:20; 48:2; 48:2

Exodus

4:4; 4:21; 7:13; 7:22; 8:15; 9:2; 9:2; 9:12; 9:12; 9:35; 10:20; 10:27; 11:10; 12:33; 14:4; 14:8; 14:17; 14:17; 19:16

Leviticus

25:35

Numbers

13:20

Deuteronomy

1:38; 3:28; 11:8; 12:23; 12:23; 22:25; 25:11; 31:6; 31:6; 31:7; 31:23

Joshua

1:6; 1:7; 1:9; 1:18; 10:25; 11:20; 17:13; 23:6

Judges

1:28; 3:12; 7:8; 7:8; 7:11; 7:20; 9:24; 16:26; 16:28; 19:4; 19:25; 19:29; 20:22

1 Samuel

4:9; 4:9; 15:27; 17:35; 17:50; 23:16; 30:6

2 Samuel

1:11; 2:7; 2:16; 3:6; 3:6; 3:29; 10:11; 10:11; 10:12; 10:12; 11:5; 11:25; 11:25; 13:11; 13:14; 13:28; 15:5; 16:21; 18:9; 24:4

1 Kings

1:50; 2:2; 2:28; 9:9; 16:22; 20:22; 20:22; 20:23; 20:25

2 Kings

2:12; 3:26; 4:8; 4:27; 12:6; 12:7; 12:8; 12:9; 12:9; 12:9; 12:13; 12:13; 12:15; 14:5; 15:19; 15:19; 22:5; 22:6; 25:3

1 Chronicles

11:10; 11:10; 19:12; 19:13; 19:13; 21:4; 22:13; 26:27; 28:7; 28:10; 28:20; 29:12

2 Chronicles

1:1; 4:5; 7:22; 8:3; 11:11; 11:12; 11:17; 12:13; 13:7; 13:7; 13:8; 13:8; 13:21; 15:7; 15:8; 16:9; 16:9; 17:1; 19:11; 21:4; 21:4; 23:1; 24:5; 24:12; 25:3; 25:8; 25:11; 26:8; 26:9; 26:15; 26:15; 26:16; 27:5; 27:6; 28:7; 28:15; 28:20; 28:20; 29:3; 29:34; 31:4; 32:5; 32:5; 32:5; 32:7; 34:8; 34:10; 35:2

Ezra

1:6; 6:22; 7:28; 9:12; 10:4

Nehemiah

2:18; 3:4; 3:19; 4:10; 4:10; 4:11; 4:11; 4:15; 5:16; 5:16; 6:9; 6:9; 10:30

Job

2:3; 2:9; 4:3; 8:15; 8:15; 8:20; 18:9; 27:6

Psalms

27:14; 35:2; 64:6; 147:13; 147:13

Proverbs

3:18; 4:13; 7:13; 26:17

Isaiah

4:1; 22:21; 27:5; 28:22; 28:22; 33:23; 35:3; 35:4; 39:1; 41:6; 41:7; 41:7; 41:9; 41:13; 42:6; 42:6; 45:1; 51:18; 54:2; 54:4; 56:2; 56:4; 56:6; 64:6; 64:6

Jeremiah

5:3; 6:23; 6:23; 6:24; 8:5; 8:21; 8:21; 10:4; 20:7; 23:14; 31:32; 31:32; 49:24; 49:24; 50:33; 50:42; 50:43; 51:12; 52:6

Ezekiel

3:14; 3:14; 7:13; 7:13; 7:13; 13:22; 16:49; 22:14; 27:9; 27:9; 27:27; 27:27; 30:21; 30:21; 30:23; 30:24; 30:24; 30:25; 30:25; 34:4; 34:16

Daniel

10:18; 10:19; 10:19; 10:19; 10:21; 10:21; 11:1; 11:5; 11:6; 11:6; 11:7; 11:21; 11:32; 11:32

Hosea

7:15

Micah

4:9; 7:18

Nahum

2:2; 3:14; 3:14; 3:14

Haggai

2:4

Zechariah

8:9; 8:13; 8:23; 14:13

Malachi

3:13