Lexical Summary chazeq: To be strong, to strengthen, to prevail, to harden Original Word: חָזֵק Strong's Exhaustive Concordance wax louder, stronger From chazaq; powerful -- X wax louder, stronger. see HEBREW chazaq NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originpart. from chazaq, q.v. Brown-Driver-Briggs חָזֵק verbal adjective see חָזַק Qal Participle Topical Lexicon Overview Originating from a root that conveys firmness and power, חָזֵק appears twice in the Old Testament as an adjective or adverb that intensifies the idea of strength. In both settings it spotlights a decisive turning‐point: one at the birth of Israel’s covenant identity at Sinai, the other at the pivotal transfer of national authority from Saul to David. Occurrences The Voice at Sinai (Exodus 19:19) “And as the sound of the ram’s horn grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him with a voice.” At the foot of Mount Sinai the word חָזֵק underscores the overwhelming power of God’s audible revelation. The trumpet blast that “grew louder and louder” marked a boundary between the holy presence of God and the trembling people, highlighting the gravity of divine lawgiving. The intensifying sound dramatizes the unapproachable majesty of God while simultaneously validating Moses as covenant mediator. The passage anticipates Hebrews 12:19 – 24, where the Sinai theophany is contrasted with the approachable grace of Mount Zion in Christ; yet both scenes affirm that God’s voice is irresistibly strong. David’s Ascendancy (2 Samuel 3:1) “The war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time, and David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.” Here חָזֵק depicts the steady, God‐directed strengthening of David’s rule. The verse does more than record military momentum; it testifies that covenant promises made in 1 Samuel 16:13 are being fulfilled in real time. David’s increasing strength, contrasted with Saul’s decline, illustrates Proverbs 10:29, “The way of the LORD is a refuge for the blameless, but it is ruin to those who do evil.” The text affirms that genuine strength flows from divine election and obedience, not mere human prowess. Theology of Strength 1. Divine Initiative: At Sinai, God’s power initiates covenant relationship; human response is secondary. Ministry Significance • Worship: חָזֵק calls congregations to approach God with reverent awe, remembering that the New Covenant did not diminish His power; it granted bold access through Christ (Hebrews 4:16). Devotional Reflection The twin appearances of חָזֵק bracket Israel’s formative era with an unchanging message: genuine strength belongs to God and is bestowed upon those who align with His will. Whether confronting the thunderous voice at Sinai or the drawn‐out struggles of political transition, the people of God are invited to stand firm, trusting that His strong purposes will prevail. Forms and Transliterations וְחָזֵ֔ק וְחָזֵ֣ק וחזק vechaZek wə·ḥā·zêq wəḥāzêqLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 19:19 HEB: הַשּׁוֹפָ֔ר הוֹלֵ֖ךְ וְחָזֵ֣ק מְאֹ֑ד מֹשֶׁ֣ה KJV: long, and waxed louder and louder, INT: of the trumpet grew louder and louder Moses 2 Samuel 3:1 2 Occurrences |
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