Lexical Summary azan: give ear, listen, hear Original Word: אָזַן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance give perceive by the ear, hearken A primitive root; probably to expand; but used only as a denominative from 'ozen; to broaden out the ear (with the hand), i.e. (by implication) to listen -- give (perceive by the) ear, hear(-ken). See 'azan. see HEBREW 'ozen see HEBREW 'azan NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina denominative verb from the same as ozen Definition to give ear, listen NASB Translation give ear (24), give heed (2), hear (3), listen (8), listened (1), listening (1), pays attention (1), perceived by ear (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs I. [אָזַן]42 verb denominative Hiph`il give ear, listen, hear, almost wholly poet. — Perfect הֶאֱזִין Deuteronomy 1:45; וְהַאֲזִין consecutive Psalm 77:2 (see De Kö1, p. 390); וְהַאֲזַנְתָּ֫ Exodus 15:26; הֶאֱזִינוּ Isaiah 64:3 +; Imperfect יַאֲזִין Job 9:16 +; אָזִין (for אַאֲזִין) Job 32:11, etc.; Imperative masculine singular הַאֲזִ֫ינָה Numbers 23:18 +; feminine singular הַאֲזִ֫יּנִי Isaiah 1:2; feminine plural הַאֲזֵ֫נָּה Genesis 4:23; Isaiah 32:9, etc.; Participle מֵזִין (for מַאֲזִין see Kö1, 391) Proverbs 17:4; — 1 hear, perceive by the ear, absolute Isaiah 64:3 ("" שׁמע) Psalm 135:17; give ear, listen, absolute (of mountains personified) Deuteronomy 32:1, compare Isaiah 1:2 (of earth, personified); of men Judges 5:3; Psalm 49:2; Isaiah 28:23; Joel 1:2 (all "" שׁמע) Hosea 5:1 ("" שׁמע, הִקְשִׁיב) Isaiah 8:9; followed by accusative of thing Genesis 4:23; Job 33:1; Isaiah 1:10; Isaiah 32:9 (all "" שׁמע) Isaiah 42:23 ("" שׁמע, הקשׂיב); Job 37:14 ("" הִתְבּוֺנֵן); Psalm 78:1 followed byעל (of thing) Proverbs 17:4 ("" הִקְשִׁיב); followed by עַד (of thing) Job 32:11 ("" הוֺחַלְתִּי); hearken to, = be obedient to, absolute Jeremiah 13:15 ("" שׁמע) 2 Chronicles 24:19; Nehemiah 9:30; with accusative of thing Job 9:16; לְ (of thing) Job 34:16 ("" שׁמע) Exodus 15:26; followed by לְ person Job 34:2 ("" שׁמע); followed by עָדַי person Numbers 23:18; followed by אֶלֿ person Isaiah 51:4. 2 of God, listening (with favour) to prayer, etc., absolute Psalm 80:2; Psalm 84:9 ("" שׁמע), followed by אֶלֿ person Psalm 77:2; Deuteronomy 1:45 ("" שׁטע); with accusative of thing Psalm 5:2 ("" בִּין) Psalm 17:1 ("" שׁמע, הקשׁיב), Psalm 55:2 ("" הקשׁיב Psalm 55:3) Psalm 86:6 ("" id.), Psalm 140:7; Psalm 141:1; followed by אֶלֿ (of thing) Psalm 39:13; Psalm 143:1 (both "" שׁמע); followed by לְ (of thing) Psalm 54:4 ("" שׁמע). Topical Lexicon Root Conceptאָזַן (’azan) expresses the deliberate act of giving one’s ear—listening with intent, discernment, and readiness to respond. Cognate to the noun “ear” (אֹזֶן), the verb elevates physical hearing into moral and spiritual engagement. When used of the Lord it presents Him as the covenant God who attentively bends toward His people; when applied to people it summons them to covenant faithfulness by heeding His voice. Canonical Distribution Approximately forty-two occurrences span the Law (notably Deuteronomy 32:1), the Prophets (e.g., Isaiah 28:23; Jeremiah 19:3), Writings—especially Psalms (over twenty instances)—and Wisdom literature (Job and Proverbs). Its consistent deployment across Israel’s history emphasizes an unbroken biblical theme: revelation requires attentive reception. Listening to God Deuteronomy 32:1 inaugurates Moses’ final song with a cosmic imperative: “Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak; hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.” The verb frames the entire poem, calling creation to witness Israel’s accountability. Prophets continue this pattern: • Isaiah 28:23: “Give ear and hear my voice; pay attention and hear my word.” Here ’azan functions as a judicial summons—Yahweh’s words carry binding authority demanding obedience, not mere auditory reception. God Listening to Humanity The Psalms repeatedly appeal to the Lord’s responsive ear: • Psalm 54:2: “O God, hear my prayer; give ear to the words of my mouth.” Such prayers ground confidence in divine attentiveness. The verb thus reassures worshipers that covenant obligations are reciprocal; the Lord’s ear is not dull but inclined toward righteousness and mercy. Liturgical and Devotional Use Davidic laments (Psalms 5, 17, 39, 59, 61) embed ’azan within personal worship, transforming public covenant themes into intimate petitions. The verb often pairs with שָׁמַע (shamaʿ, “hear”) for poetic emphasis—e.g., Psalm 5:1: “Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my groaning.” The dual verbs convey both depth (intensity) and breadth (completeness) of listening required in corporate and personal devotion. Wisdom Context Job employs ’azan in didactic dialogue: • Job 34:2: “Hear my words, you wise men; give ear to me, you men of learning.” Proverbs 22:17 exhorts, “Incline your ear and listen to the words of the wise,” linking attentive hearing to the acquisition of discernment. ’Azan therefore undergirds biblical pedagogy: wisdom is transmitted through earnest listening. Prophetic Warnings and Hope When prophets confront spiritual complacency, ’azan sharpens the call: Isaiah 32:9: “Rise up, you complacent women; hear my voice; give ear to my speech.” Those who refuse to “give ear” invite judgment (Jeremiah 6:10), whereas repentance is marked by renewed attentiveness (Isaiah 55:3). Theological Trajectory 1. Revelation: God graciously speaks; ’azan highlights the solemn duty to receive His word (Deuteronomy 32:1). Ministry Implications • Preaching and Teaching: ’Azan underscores the goal of biblical exposition—cultivating congregations that listen unto obedience (James 1:22 reflects the same ethic in the New Testament). Christological Reflection While ’azan is reserved for the Hebrew text, its theology resonates in the Gospels. Jesus’ repeated call, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear,” mirrors the prophetic demand for attentive hearts. The incarnate Word expects the same covenant responsiveness outlined in Deuteronomy’s “Give ear.” Hebrews 2:1 draws the line forward: “We must pay closer attention to what we have heard.” The Old Testament verb thus anticipates the fuller revelation in Christ and the ongoing ministry of the Spirit who enables true hearing (Revelation 2:7). Summary אָזַן threads through Scripture as the vocabulary of attentive covenant relationship. It summons creation, nations, congregations, families, and individual believers to receive God’s voice with reverent obedience, while simultaneously assuring them that the Lord’s own ear is graciously inclined toward their prayers. The biblical storyline, pastoral ministry, and the life of every disciple flourish where hearts continue to “give ear” in faith and action. Forms and Transliterations אָ֭זִין אזין הֶאֱזִ֑ינוּ הֶאֱזִ֖ין הֶאֱזִֽינוּ׃ הַ֝אֲזִ֗ינָה הַ֝אֲזִ֗ינוּ הַאְזֵ֖נָּה הַאֲזִ֑ינוּ הַאֲזִ֔ינוּ הַאֲזִ֖ינוּ הַאֲזִ֗ינָה הַאֲזִ֛ינוּ הַאֲזִ֣ינָה הַאֲזִ֥ינָה הַאֲזִ֥ינָה ׀ הַאֲזִ֥ינוּ הַאֲזִ֨ינָה הַאֲזִֽינָה׃ הַאֲזִינָה֮ האזין האזינה האזינה׃ האזינו האזינו׃ האזנה וְאִזֵּ֣ן וְהַֽאֲזִ֔ינוּ וְהַֽאֲזַנְתָּ֙ וְהַאֲזִ֖ינוּ וְהַאֲזִ֣ינִי וְהַאֲזִ֥ין ואזן והאזין והאזינו והאזיני והאזנת יַאֲזִ֑ינוּ יַאֲזִ֣ין יַאֲזִ֥ין יאזין יאזינו מֵ֝זִין מזין ’ā·zîn ’āzîn Azin ha’·zên·nāh ha’ăzînāh ha’ăzînū ha’zênnāh ha·’ă·zî·nāh ha·’ă·zî·nū haaZinah haaZinu haZennah he’ĕzîn he’ĕzînū he·’ĕ·zî·nū he·’ĕ·zîn heeZin heeZinu mê·zîn Mezin mêzîn vehaazanTa vehaaZin vehaaZini vehaaZinu veizZen wə’izzên wə·’iz·zên wə·ha·’ă·zan·tā wə·ha·’ă·zî·nî wə·ha·’ă·zî·nū wə·ha·’ă·zîn wəha’ăzantā wəha’ăzîn wəha’ăzînî wəha’ăzînū ya’ăzîn ya’ăzînū ya·’ă·zî·nū ya·’ă·zîn yaaZin yaaZinuLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 4:23 HEB: נְשֵׁ֣י לֶ֔מֶךְ הַאְזֵ֖נָּה אִמְרָתִ֑י כִּ֣י NAS: of Lamech, Give heed to my speech, KJV: of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: INT: wives of Lamech Give to my speech for Exodus 15:26 Numbers 23:18 Deuteronomy 1:45 Deuteronomy 32:1 Judges 5:3 2 Chronicles 24:19 Nehemiah 9:30 Job 9:16 Job 32:11 Job 33:1 Job 34:2 Job 34:16 Job 37:14 Psalm 5:1 Psalm 17:1 Psalm 39:12 Psalm 49:1 Psalm 54:2 Psalm 55:1 Psalm 77:1 Psalm 78:1 Psalm 80:1 Psalm 84:8 Psalm 86:6 42 Occurrences |
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