5756. uz

Lexical Summary

uz: To take refuge, seek protection, find shelter

Original Word: עוּז
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: `uwz
Pronunciation: ooz
Phonetic Spelling: (ooz)
KJV: gather (self, self to flee), retire
NASB: bring, flee for safety, safety, seek refuge, sought refuge, take refuge
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to be strong
2. causatively, to stregthen, i.e. (figuratively) to save (by flight)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

gather self, self to flee, retire

A primitive root; to be strong; causatively, to stregthen, i.e. (figuratively) to save (by flight) -- gather (self, self to flee), retire.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to take or seek refuge
NASB Translation
bring (1), flee for safety (1), safety (1), seek refuge (1), sought refuge (1), take refuge (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

[עוּז], עוֺז verb take or seek refuge (Arabic , take refuge, seek protection, a refuge); —

Qal Infinitive construct לָעוֺז בְּמָעוֺז Isaiah 30:2 ("" לַחְסוֺת בְּ).

Hiph`il bring into safety, Perfect 3 masculine plural הֵעִ֫יזוּ Isaiah 10:31, object omitted, and so Imperative masculine plural הָעִ֫יזוּ Jeremiah 4:6, הָעִ֫זוּ מִקֶּרֶב Jeremiah 6:1; with accusative, masculine singular הָעֵז Exodus 9:19.

Topical Lexicon

Overview of Usage

The verb עוּז occurs only four times in the Old Testament. In every setting it conveys an urgent movement to a place of protection—whether by gathering people or livestock into shelter (Exodus 9:19) or by fleeing to a secure position (Isaiah 10:31; Jeremiah 4:6; Jeremiah 6:1). The contexts range from the plagues of Egypt to prophetic warnings of invading armies. The verb therefore functions as a vivid call to respond promptly and wisely to divine warning.

Historical Settings

1. Exodus 9:19 – As the seventh plague approaches, Pharaoh receives explicit notice to “shelter” (עוּז) men and beasts. The Egyptians’ obedience or neglect becomes a litmus test revealing who fears the word of the LORD and who hardens the heart.
2. Isaiah 10:31 – The villages south of Jerusalem hear of the Assyrian advance. Madmenah “has fled,” and “the people of Gebim take refuge.” The verb captures the panic of residents who recognize their own inability to stand before a world-power that God is presently using as His rod of discipline.
3. Jeremiah 4:6; 6:1 – Jeremiah sounds the trumpet against the rising threat from the north. Twice the prophet cries, “Take refuge, do not delay!” and “Run for cover, O sons of Benjamin!” The summons stands as the last pastoral attempt to spare the remnant before Babylon levels the city.

Call to Urgent Refuge

In each passage, עוּז stands at the intersection of divine mercy and divine judgment. Judgment is certain, yet mercy precedes it in the form of warning and a path to safety. Shelter must be sought quickly; hesitation invites destruction. The verb therefore illumines a theological motif that threads through Scripture: the LORD both decrees judgment and graciously provides a way of escape for those who heed His voice (compare Genesis 7:1; Numbers 35:11; Luke 21:36).

Covenant Implications

• Exodus: Although spoken to Egypt, the command anticipates Israel’s later covenant obligation to “listen diligently” (Deuteronomy 28:1). Those Egyptians who believed Moses’ message and sheltered their livestock experienced the blessing of obedience, foreshadowing the mixed multitude that would eventually leave with Israel.
• Prophets: Isaiah and Jeremiah wield the verb as covenant prosecutors. The same LORD who once spared obedient Egyptians now warns covenant-breakers within Judah. By employing עוּז, the prophets underline Judah’s spiritual dullness; the covenant people must be urged to take the posture of refugees within their own land because they have rejected their covenant refuge—Yahweh Himself.

Interplay with Themes of Strength and Refuge

Hebrew often plays on sound and sense. The noun עֹז (strength) appears frequently in the Psalms to celebrate the LORD as “my strength and my song” (Psalm 118:14). The near-homonym verb עוּז reminds the reader that true strength is accessed by taking refuge in God’s appointed means. Human strength fails; fleeing to the place of God’s choosing is the only path to safety (Psalm 46:1; Proverbs 18:10).

Ministry and Pastoral Significance

1. Prompt obedience to God’s warnings is an act of faith. Just as some Egyptians hurried their servants and cattle indoors, so congregations today must take Scripture’s warnings with equal seriousness (Hebrews 2:1-3).
2. Shepherd leadership. Jeremiah’s trumpet imagery highlights the responsibility of leaders to alert the flock when danger approaches (Ezekiel 33:3-6; Acts 20:28-31).
3. Christ as ultimate refuge. All historical shelters prefigure the gospel call: “flee from the wrath to come” (Matthew 3:7) by coming to the crucified and risen Savior (Hebrews 6:18).
4. Eschatological application. Jesus’ Olivet discourse echoes the language of Jeremiah: “then let those in Judea flee to the mountains” (Matthew 24:16). The pattern of urgent refuge remains relevant until the consummation.

Devotional Reflection

The four appearances of עוּז invite self-examination. Do we respond to Scripture’s rebukes with speed or delay? The plagues, the Assyrian march, and the Babylonian siege stand as historical monuments to the reliability of God’s word—both in promise and in threat. Trust displays itself by moving at His word.

Key Cross-References

• Psalm 2:12 – “Blessed are all who take refuge in Him.”
• Nahum 1:7 – “The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble; He cares for those who trust in Him.”
• Hebrews 6:18 – “…we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be strongly encouraged.”

Summary

Strong’s Hebrew 5756 underscores Yahweh’s consistent character: He warns before He strikes, and He provides a place of safety for all who will heed His voice. Whether to Egyptians under hail-laden skies or to Judeans facing foreign armies, the verb beckons every hearer of Scripture to act decisively, seek the refuge God supplies, and so discover that in fleeing to Him we find true strength.

Forms and Transliterations

הֵעִֽיזוּ׃ הָעִ֖יזוּ הָעִ֣זוּ ׀ הָעֵז֙ העז העזו העיזו העיזו׃ hā‘êz hā‘izū hā‘îzū hā·‘êz hā·‘i·zū hā·‘î·zū haEz haIzu hê‘îzū hê·‘î·zū heIzu

Englishman's Concordance

Exodus 9:19
HEB: וְעַתָּ֗ה שְׁלַ֤ח הָעֵז֙ אֶֽת־ מִקְנְךָ֔
NAS: therefore send, bring your livestock
KJV: Send therefore now, [and] gather thy cattle,
INT: Now send bring your livestock Every

Isaiah 10:31
HEB: יֹשְׁבֵ֥י הַגֵּבִ֖ים הֵעִֽיזוּ׃
NAS: of Gebim have sought refuge.
KJV: of Gebim gather themselves to flee.
INT: the inhabitants of Gebim have sought

Jeremiah 4:6
HEB: נֵ֣ס צִיּ֔וֹנָה הָעִ֖יזוּ אַֽל־ תַּעֲמֹ֑דוּ
NAS: toward Zion! Seek refuge, do not stand
KJV: toward Zion: retire, stay
INT: A standard Zion Seek not stand

Jeremiah 6:1
HEB: הָעִ֣זוּ ׀ בְּנֵ֣י בִניָמִ֗ן
NAS: Flee for safety, O sons of Benjamin,
KJV: of Benjamin, gather yourselves to flee out of the midst
INT: Flee sons of Benjamin

4 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 5756
4 Occurrences

hā·‘êz — 1 Occ.
hā·‘î·zū — 2 Occ.
hê·‘î·zū — 1 Occ.