276. Achuzzath

Lexical Summary

Achuzzath: Achuzzath

Original Word: אֲחֻזַּת
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Achuzzath
Pronunciation: a-khoo-zath'
Phonetic Spelling: (akh-ooz-zath')
KJV: Ahuzzath
NASB: Ahuzzath
Word Origin: [a variation of H272 (אֲחוּזָּה - possession)]

1. possession
2. Achuzzath, a Philistine

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Ahuzzath

A variation of 'achuzzah; possession; Achuzzath, a Philistine -- Ahuzzath.

see HEBREW 'achuzzah

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from achaz
Definition
"possession," a friend of Abimelech
NASB Translation
Ahuzzath (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

אֲחֻזַּת proper name, masculine (possession) friend of Abi-melech Genesis 26:26.

I. אחח (cry, howl, onomatopoetic, compare Arabic ).

Topical Lexicon

Biblical Setting

Ahuzzath appears only once, in Genesis 26:26, during Isaac’s sojourn in the Philistine territory of Gerar: “Then Abimelech came to him from Gerar with Ahuzzath his adviser and Phicol the commander of his army” (Berean Standard Bible). His presence in this royal delegation situates him in the Patriarchal era, roughly a century after Abraham’s covenant with Abimelech’s predecessor (Genesis 21:22-34).

Historical Background

Gerar lay on the southern coastal plain of Canaan, a region frequently contested for wells and pastureland. Isaac had just reopened wells originally dug by Abraham and had named the latest one Rehoboth, celebrating God’s provision of space (Genesis 26:22). Tensions over water rights threatened hostilities between Isaac’s household and the Philistines, prompting Abimelech to seek a non-aggression pact. In this diplomatic context, Ahuzzath functions as a court official—likely a chief counselor—accompanying the military commander Phicol to guarantee the king’s interests.

Role in the Narrative

1. Witness to God’s Blessing. By joining the embassy that confesses, “We have clearly seen that the LORD is with you” (Genesis 26:28), Ahuzzath testifies—perhaps unwittingly—to Yahweh’s favor upon Isaac.
2. Agent of Reconciliation. His inclusion underscores the seriousness of the treaty negotiations: the king sends both an adviser and the army chief, combining counsel and coercive power to secure peace.
3. Link to Abrahamic Precedent. The pairing “Abimelech and Phicol” echoes Abraham’s treaty scene (Genesis 21:22), while the addition of Ahuzzath introduces a new figure who affirms continuity between the patriarchs and surrounding nations.

Spiritual and Theological Themes

• Divine Witness in Gentile Courts: Ahuzzath’s acknowledgment of the LORD (through the delegation’s words) exemplifies how God’s promises to Abraham—“all peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:3)—begin to surface even among Philistine officials.
• Covenant and Land: The very chapter where Isaac secures water and space culminates in a covenant meal (Genesis 26:30). Ahuzzath’s name, resonating with the idea of “possession,” subtly parallels God’s gift of land to the patriarchs.
• Peace-making as Testimony: Isaac’s patient non-retaliation and eventual covenant become a model for believers who “pursue peace with all men” (Hebrews 12:14), demonstrating that reconciliation can open doors for God’s glory to be acknowledged.

Ministry Applications

1. Diplomatic Integrity: Leaders today should accompany negotiations with both wise counsel and transparent motives, following Abimelech’s practice of sending trusted advisers like Ahuzzath to honor agreements.
2. Public Recognition of God’s Work: Just as Ahuzzath witnessed Isaac’s blessing, Christians ought to live visibly in God’s favor so that outsiders may confess, “The LORD is with you” (compare Matthew 5:16).
3. Peacemaking Over Retaliation: Isaac’s choice to move rather than quarrel allowed space for reconciliation. Ministries faced with opposition can emulate this posture, trusting God to vindicate and expand their “Rehoboth.”

Intertextual Connections

• Genesis 21 and 26 form literary parallels that bracket Abrahamic and Isaacic treaties with Philistine kings, reminding readers of God’s unbroken covenant faithfulness from generation to generation.
• Ephesians 2:14-17 reveals the greater Fulfillment in Christ, who “is our peace” and “has broken down the dividing wall,” foreshadowed by patriarchal covenants in which figures like Ahuzzath played a confirmatory role.

Conclusion

Though mentioned only once, Ahuzzath embodies the broader biblical motif of Gentile acknowledgment of God’s hand upon His people. His appearance in Genesis 26 reinforces themes of covenant, land, and peaceful witness, providing timeless lessons on diplomacy, testimony, and God’s steadfast faithfulness.

Forms and Transliterations

וַאֲחֻזַּת֙ ואחזת vaachuzZat wa’ăḥuzzaṯ wa·’ă·ḥuz·zaṯ

Englishman's Concordance

Genesis 26:26
HEB: אֵלָ֖יו מִגְּרָ֑ר וַאֲחֻזַּת֙ מֵֽרֵעֵ֔הוּ וּפִיכֹ֖ל
NAS: with his adviser Ahuzzath and Phicol
KJV: to him from Gerar, and Ahuzzath one of his friends,
INT: to him Gerar Ahuzzath his adviser and Phicol

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 276
1 Occurrence

wa·’ă·ḥuz·zaṯ — 1 Occ.