393. akzar

Lexicon

akzar: Cruel, ruthless

Original Word: אַכְזָר
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: akzar
Pronunciation: ahk-ZAHR
Phonetic Spelling: (ak-zawr')
Definition: Cruel, ruthless
Meaning: violent, deadly, brave

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

cruel, fierce

From an unused root (apparently meaning to act harshly); violent; by implication deadly; also (in a good sense) brave -- cruel, fierce.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from an unused word
Definition
cruel, fierce
NASB Translation
cruel (2), deadly (1), fierce (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

אַכְזָר adjective cruel, fierce, of poison (ראֹשׁ) Deuteronomy 32:33; elsewhere of men, fierce Job 41:2; as substantive = a cruel one Job 30:21 (of God), Lamentations 4:3.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the root אָכַז (akhaz), meaning "to seize" or "to grasp."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • G415 (ἀνάλγητος, analgētos): This Greek term is used in the New Testament to describe a lack of feeling or compassion, similar to the Hebrew concept of cruelty or mercilessness. While not a direct translation, it captures the essence of being unfeeling or ruthless, akin to the Hebrew אַכְזָר.

In summary, Strong's Hebrew Number 393, אַכְזָר, is a term that conveys the idea of violence and cruelty, often used in the Hebrew Bible to describe the harsh and merciless nature of the wicked, in contrast to the compassionate and righteous behavior expected of God's people.

Usage: The word אַכְזָר appears in the Hebrew Bible to describe people or actions that are ruthless or merciless. It is used in contexts where there is an emphasis on the severity or harshness of behavior.

Context: • Occurrences in Scripture: The term אַכְזָר is found in several passages within the Hebrew Bible. It is used to describe the nature of certain individuals or groups who exhibit a lack of compassion or mercy. For example, in Proverbs 12:10, the term is used to contrast the righteous care for animals with the cruelty of the wicked: "A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel."
• Theological Implications: The use of אַכְזָר in the biblical text often serves to highlight the moral and ethical distinctions between the righteous and the wicked. It underscores the biblical theme that true righteousness is marked by compassion and mercy, whereas wickedness is characterized by cruelty and violence.
• Cultural Context: In the ancient Near Eastern context, bravery and strength were often associated with warriors and leaders. However, the biblical usage of אַכְזָר tends to focus on the negative aspects of these traits when they are divorced from justice and compassion.

Forms and Transliterations

אַ֭כְזָר אַכְזָֽר׃ אכזר אכזר׃ לְאַכְזָ֔ר לְאַכְזָ֣ר לאכזר ’aḵ·zār ’aḵzār achZar Achzor lə’aḵzār lə·’aḵ·zār leachZar

Englishman's Concordance

Deuteronomy 32:33
HEB: וְרֹ֥אשׁ פְּתָנִ֖ים אַכְזָֽר׃
NAS: of serpents, And the deadly poison
KJV: of dragons, and the cruel venom
INT: poison of cobras and the deadly

Job 30:21
HEB: תֵּהָפֵ֣ךְ לְאַכְזָ֣ר לִ֑י בְּעֹ֖צֶם
NAS: You have become cruel to me; With the might
KJV: Thou art become cruel to me: with thy strong
INT: have become cruel the might of your hand

Job 41:10
HEB: לֹֽא־ אַ֭כְזָר כִּ֣י יְעוּרֶ֑נּוּ
NAS: No one is so fierce that he dares to arouse
KJV: None [is so] fierce that dare stir him up:
INT: No fierce dares to arouse

Lamentations 4:3
HEB: בַּת־ עַמִּ֣י לְאַכְזָ֔ר [כִּי כ]
NAS: of my people has become cruel Like ostriches
KJV: of my people [is become] cruel, like the ostriches
INT: the daughter of my people cruel ostrich ostrich

4 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 393
4 Occurrences

’aḵ·zār — 1 Occ.
’aḵ·zār — 1 Occ.
lə·’aḵ·zār — 2 Occ.