Lexical Summary
oz: Strength, might, power, refuge
Original Word:עֹז
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:`oz
Pronunciation:ohz
Phonetic Spelling:(oze)
KJV: boldness, loud, might, power, strength, strong
NASB:strength, strong, power, mighty, might, stronghold, loud
Word Origin:[fromH5810 (עָזַז - prevail)]
1. strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise)
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
boldness, loud, might, power, strength, strong
Or (fully) rowz {oze}; fromazaz; strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise) -- boldness, loud, might, power, strength, strong.
see HEBREWazaz
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
azazDefinitionstrength, might
NASB Translationfortress* (1), loud (1), might (3), mighty (4), power (12), stern (1), strength (53), strong (16), stronghold (2).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
, and (rarely) ; — absolute
Judges 9:51 +,
Psalm 84:6 +,
Isaiah 26:1, once
Genesis 49:3; construct
Micah 5:3 +,
Psalm 28:8; suffix
Exodus 15:2 2t.,
Psalm 28:7 +;
Psalm 21:2 2t.,
Psalm 66:3 +; suffix 1 plural
Psalm 81:2; 3masculine plural
Psalm 89:18, etc.; —
strength, might (usually in poetry, 44 t. Psalms):
,Judges 9:51, and figurative (of ),Psalm 61:4;Proverbs 18:10,Psalm 71:7, compareIsaiah 26:1,Proverbs 18:19 (simile),Proverbs 10:15 =Proverbs 18:11 (figurative);Proverbs 21:22 (of a city, read possibly Toy);Psalm 62:8 (figurative);Jeremiah 51:53 (of Babylonian ),Ezekiel 26:11 (of Tyre), comparePsalm 30:8 (reading Hup Che Kau We; but no object for verb; Gie in Bae proposes for );Psalm 150:1his mighty firmament (De Hup Kau and others; Ki AV RV Chethe f. of his power, where his power dwells);with all one's might2 Samuel 6:14 =1 Chronicles 13:8, + 2Chronicles 30:21 (where so read, for , Kau Kit compare Be Oettli);Proverbs 31:17,25; abstract for concreteJudges 5:21 si vera lectio, but probably corrupt, compare GFM Bu; of crocodileJob 41:14;Psalm 68:34a might voice; =his mighty arm (figurative of )Isaiah 62:8, compareIsaiah 51:9;Psalm 89:11;Job 26:2,Job 37:6; , figurative of political powerJeremiah 48:17 ("" ),Ezekiel 19:11,12,14 (vine-branches, in figure),Psalm 110:2.
Amos 3:11,Leviticus 26:19 (H),Ezekiel 24:21;Ezekiel 30:6,18;Ezekiel 33:28.
,1 Samuel 2:10 (song),Psalm 29:11;Psalm 68:36;Psalm 86:16;Psalm 138:3,Psalm 84:6;Psalm 138:3; so (implicit) of ZionIsaiah 52:1.
of as strength of his servantsMicah 5:3;Isaiah 49:5;Psalm 81:2;Psalm 84:6, alsoExodus 15:2 ("" ) =Isaiah 12:2 =Psalm 118:14, compareIsaiah 45:24,Psalm 140:8,Psalm 89:18; sometimes as their stronghold, for defenceJeremiah 16:19 (+ ),Psalm 28:7 (+ ),Psalm 28:8 ("" ),Psalm 46:2 (+ ),Psalm 59:10 (reading , see Commentaries and Ginsbmargin; "" ),Psalm 59:18 (""id.), compareProverbs 14:26 ("" ); see also below
—Proverbs 24:5 see .
might of (especially Psalms):
Habakkuk 3:4;Job 12:16;Psalm 62:12;Psalm 63:3;Psalm 68:35;Psalm 93:1;Psalm 96:6 =1 Chronicles 16:27;Psalm 99:4 (title of ).
Psalm 29:1 (c.) =Psalm 96:7 =1 Chronicles 16:28;Psalm 59:17 (with ),Psalm 68:35 (with ).
Exodus 15:13 (song),Psalm 21:2 ("" ),Psalm 21:14;Psalm 66:3;Psalm 68:29 +Psalm 68:29 (reading for , see ),Psalm 74:13;Psalm 77:15;Psalm 78:26;Psalm 105:4 =1 Chronicles 16:11;Ezra 8:22 (+ ), comparePsalm 90:11.
, 2Chronicles 6:41=Psalm 132:8, = arkPsalm 78:61.
=boldness, impudenceEcclesiastes 8:1, changed by wisdom, De Wild and others; < readhe who is impudent Siegf (compare ).
=stronghold (compare
):Psalm 8:3out of the mouth of babes . . . thou hast founded strength, or a stronghold (for thy defence, compare vb), so Ew De Hup Kau Sch Che Dr, compare Du; >praise Vrss Bae. — see .
Topical Lexicon
Essential Significanceעֹז (ʼoz) gathers the ideas of strength, might, power, firmness and fortified security. In Scripture it spans:
• the intrinsic power and majesty of God,
• the imparted enablement given to His people,
• the apparent, yet fragile, strength of nations and individuals, and
• the concrete imagery of fortresses, horns and strongholds.
Across some ninety-two occurrences, ʼoz is never neutral; it exposes whether strength is rooted in the Lord or in human self-reliance.
Divine Strength and Glory
God’s own ʼoz is unparalleled and celebrated from the Exodus to the Prophets.
• “The LORD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation” (Exodus 15:2).
• “Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty are in His sanctuary” (Psalm 96:6).
• “To Him who rides upon the highest heavens… behold, He sends forth His voice, a mighty voice. Ascribe strength to God” (Psalm 68:33-34).
Divine strength is not mere force; it is holy, joyful, beautiful, dependable. ʼOz is coupled repeatedly with glory (Psalm 29:1), joy (1 Chronicles 16:27) and peace (Psalm 29:11), showing that God’s power never exists in isolation from His other perfections.
Strength in Salvation and Deliverance
In salvation history God’s ʼoz breaks oppression and births worship.
• Exodus: Israel sings of His strength after the Red Sea (Exodus 15:2-6).
• Conquest: “Not by their own sword did they possess the land… but by Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your face, for You delighted in them” (Psalm 44:3), where “arm” echoes earlier ʼoz statements (Deuteronomy 4:37).
• Post-exilic hope: “Surely, a man may say, ‘In the LORD alone are righteousness and strength’ ” (Isaiah 45:24).
Strength is thus inseparable from salvation; when God saves, His ʼoz is on display, and when He is praised, His people recount that ʼoz.
Strength as Protection and Fortress
ʼOz often pictures a place of refuge.
• “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).
• “O LORD, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in the day of distress” (Jeremiah 16:19).
• Nahum likens Nineveh’s defenses to “fig trees with the first ripe figs; when shaken they fall into the mouth of the eater” (Nahum 3:12), exposing the vulnerability of human ʼoz before divine judgment.
The contrast is stark: the Lord’s ʼoz is impregnable; human fortifications crumble under His hand.
Strength in Worship
Believers are commanded to seek, celebrate, and broadcast ʼoz.
• “Seek the LORD and His strength” (1 Chronicles 16:11).
• “The LORD gives His people strength; the LORD blesses His people with peace” (Psalm 29:11).
• “The joy of the LORD is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).
•Psalm 8:2 uses ʼoz in a way later applied to children praising Christ (Matthew 21:16), revealing worship as spiritual warfare: God ordains praise/strength to silence the enemy.
In worship services, ʼoz themes encourage robust hymnody, confident prayer, and a theology that magnifies God’s sufficiency.
Human Responsibilities and Aspirations
God gladly shares His strength, yet warns against boasting in it.
Positive:
• “God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalm 73:26).
• “He will stand and shepherd His flock in the strength of the LORD” (Micah 5:4).
Negative:
• “You rejoice in Lo-Debar and say, ‘Did we not take Karnaim by our own strength?’ ” (Amos 6:13), indicted for presuming self-made power.
• Egypt’s ʼoz proves futile when Judah seeks help there (Isaiah 30:2-3).
The wise recognize ʼoz as a gift to steward in humility; the proud misplace it and meet ruin.
Corporate Blessing and Covenant Identity
ʼOz binds the LORD to His covenant people.
• “Strength and joy are in His dwelling place” (1 Chronicles 16:27).
• The Ark is called “the ark of Your strength” (Psalm 132:8), a symbol that God’s empowering presence travels with Israel.
• InPsalm 68:28-35, national worship climaxes with a plea: “Summon Your strength, O God… Awesome is God in His sanctuary.” Kingdom life is sustained by divine ʼoz, not mere population, wealth, or weaponry.
Messianic and Eschatological Dimensions
Prophets envision a kingdom where ʼoz radiates through the Messiah.
•Isaiah 11:2 portrays the Spirit resting on the Branch with “strength” (in the Septuagint, ischus).
•Micah 5:4 pictures the coming Shepherd-King ruling “in the strength of the LORD,” extending security “to the ends of the earth.”
•Habakkuk 3:19 personalizes eschatological hope: “GOD the Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like those of a deer; He makes me walk upon the heights.”
Revelation’s doxologies (“strength be to our God,”Revelation 7:12) echo ʼoz theology, showing its consummation in the Lamb’s reign.
Intertextual Connections
The Greek term ἰσχύς (ischus) translates ʼoz in the Septuagint, forming a bridge to New Testament passages such as:
•Mark 12:30 – “Love the Lord your God… with all your strength.”
•Ephesians 6:10 – “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”
Thus, biblical theology maintains one seamless testimony: true strength belongs to God, is mediated through Christ, and is experienced by believers through the Spirit.
Practical Ministry Applications
1. Preaching: Emphasize God’s sufficiency for salvation and sanctification (Psalm 28:7).
2. Counseling: Redirect counselees from self-reliance to divine ʼoz (Psalm 59:9).
3. Worship Planning: Select songs and readings that celebrate God’s power paired with His goodness (Psalm 118:14).
4. Intercession: Pray national and congregational prayers that “ascribe strength to God” (Psalm 68:34).
5. Leadership: ModelMicah 5:4 leadership—serving “in the strength of the LORD” rather than personality or technique.
Praying the Strength of God (Sample)
“Father, as in days of old You delivered Your people by Your mighty strength, display that same ʼoz in our generation. Be our fortress against temptation, our power in weakness, our song in worship, and our confidence in mission. We ascribe to You glory and strength, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
Forms and Transliterations
בְּעָזְּךָ֥ בְּעֹ֣ז בְּעֻזֶּ֑ךָ בְּעֻזּ֣וֹ בְע֣וֹז בְעָזְּךָ֖ בְעָזְּךָ֣ בַּע֑וֹז בעוז בעז בעזו בעזך וְ֝עֻזּ֗וֹ וְעֹ֥ז וְעֻזּ֑וֹ וְעֻזּ֔וֹ וְעֻזּ֣וֹ וָעֹ֑ז וָעֹֽז׃ ועז ועז׃ ועזו עָזִּ֣י עָזִּ֤י עֹ֑ז עֹ֔ז עֹ֖ז עֹ֗ז עֹ֝֗ז עֹ֣ז עֹ֥ז עֹ֭ז עֹֽז־ עֹֽז׃ עֹז֙ עֹז֮ עֹז־ עֻ֝זְּךָ֗ עֻ֫זֶּ֥ךָ עֻ֭זִּי עֻ֭זּוֹ עֻזְּךָ֗ עֻזְּךָ֥ עֻזְּכֶ֑ם עֻזְּכֶ֔ם עֻזִּ֥י עֻזִּ֧י עֻזִּֽי׃ עֻזֵּ֔ךְ עֻזֵּ֖ךְ עֻזֶּ֑ךָ עֻזֶּֽךָ׃ עֻזֶּךָ֮ עֻזָּ֑הּ עֻזָּ֖הּ עֻזָּ֣מוֹ עֻזֹּֽה׃ עֻזּ֑וֹ עֻזּֽוֹ׃ עֽוֹז־ עוּזֵּ֑נוּ עוז־ עוזנו עז עז־ עז׃ עזה עזו עזו׃ עזי עזי׃ עזך עזך׃ עזכם עזמו ‘āz·zî ‘āzzî ‘ō·wz- ‘ōwz- ‘ōz ‘ōz- ‘uz·zā·mōw ‘uz·zāh ‘uz·ze·ḵā ‘uz·zə·ḵā ‘uz·zə·ḵem ‘ūz·zê·nū ‘uz·zêḵ ‘uz·zî ‘uz·zōh ‘uz·zōw ‘uzzāh ‘uzzāmōw ‘uzzêḵ ‘uzzeḵā ‘uzzəḵā ‘uzzəḵem ‘ūzzênū ‘uzzî ‘uzzōh ‘uzzōw azZi ba‘ōwz ba·‘ō·wz baoz bə‘āzzəḵā ḇə‘āzzəḵā ḇə‘ōwz bə‘ōz ḇə‘uzzeḵā bə‘uzzōw bə·‘āz·zə·ḵā ḇə·‘āz·zə·ḵā ḇə·‘ō·wz bə·‘ōz ḇə·‘uz·ze·ḵā bə·‘uz·zōw beazzeCha beOz beuzZo Oz uzZah uzZamov uzZech uzZecha uzzeChem uzZenu uzZi uzZo uzZoh vaOz veazzeCha veOz veuzZecha veuzZo wā‘ōz wā·‘ōz wə‘ōz wə‘uzzōw wə·‘ōz wə·‘uz·zōw
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