Lexical Summary atsab: To hurt, pain, grieve, displease Original Word: עָצָב Strong's Exhaustive Concordance idol, image From atsab; an (idolatrous) image -- idol, image. see HEBREW atsab NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom atsab Definition an idol NASB Translation idols (13), images (4). Brown-Driver-Briggs [עָצָב] noun [masculine] idol; — always plural עֲצַבִּים (Ges§ 93ee): Hosea 4:17; Hosea 8:6 (כֶּסֶף וְזָהָב), Hosea 13:2 (כֶּסֶף), "" מַסֵּכָה), Hosea 14:9; Zechariah 13:2; 2Chronicles 24:18 (+ אֲשֵׁרִים); construct עֲצַבֵּי Psalm 106:38; Psalm 135:15 (כֶּסֶף וְזָהָב); suffix עֲצַבֶּיהָ Isaiah 10:11 ("" אֱלִילֶיהָ), Jeremiah 50:2 ("" גִּלּוּלֶיהָ), Micah 1:7; עֲצַבֵּיהֶם 1 Samuel 31:9 = 1 Chronicles 10:9; 2 Samuel 5:21 (but read אֱלֹּהֵיהֶם as "" 1 Chronicles 14:12, so ᵐ5 We Dr and others), Isaiah 46:1; Psalm 106:36; Psalm 115:4 (כֶּסֶף וְזָהָב). עצד (√ of following; compare Arabic Topical Lexicon Essence of the Term עָצָב refers to a handcrafted image that is worshiped in place of the living God. Although fashioned with skill and often costly materials, every occurrence exposes its utter powerlessness and the spiritual sorrow it brings to those who trust in it. Distribution in Scripture Eighteen occurrences span historical narrative, poetry, and prophetic literature, forming a united witness against idolatry: Narrative Contexts: Military Triumph and Shame • After Saul’s death the Philistines “sent word throughout the land of the Philistines to proclaim the good news in the houses of their idols” (1 Samuel 31:9), flaunting victory as proof of their gods’ superiority. Covenantal Apostasy in Judah and Israel • Joash’s generation “abandoned the house of the LORD… and served the Asherim and the idols” (2 Chronicles 24:18). Divine wrath followed, confirming that idolatry is covenant treachery. Poetic Theology of Idols Psalms distill the theology: — “Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men” (Psalm 115:4). — “Those who make them will be like them, as will all who trust in them” (Psalm 115:8). Humanity becomes as spiritually inert as the objects it worships; worship shapes character. Prophetic Exposure and Promise Isaiah ridicules idols borne on beasts (Isaiah 46:1) and denies them foresight (Isaiah 48:5). Jeremiah foretells Babylon’s fall and the smashing of her idols (Jeremiah 50:2). Zechariah projects a coming day when “I will remove the names of the idols from the land, and they will no longer be remembered” (Zechariah 13:2), anchoring eschatological hope in a purified worship. Theological Significance 1. False Refuge: Idols cannot deliver (Isaiah 46:7). Ministerial Application • Preaching: Call hearers from modern substitutes—materialism, self, political saviors—to the living God. Christological Fulfillment Where idols are lifeless images, Jesus is “the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being” (Hebrews 1:3). He alone reveals God without deceit and, by His cross, liberates those enslaved to vain worship (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10). Eschatological Hope Revelation envisions a city devoid of idolatry where “nothing unclean, nor anyone who practices detestable things and lies, will ever enter it” (Revelation 21:27). The triumph promised by Zechariah is secured in the Lamb, ensuring an everlasting kingdom free from every עָצָב. Forms and Transliterations הָֽעֲצַבִּ֑ים הָֽעֲצַבִּים֙ העצבים וְלַעֲצַבֶּֽיהָ׃ ולעצביה׃ לַעֲצַבֵּ֣י לָֽעֲצַבִּ֑ים לעצבי לעצבים עֲֽ֭צַבֵּיהֶם עֲצַבִּ֔ים עֲצַבִּ֛ים עֲצַבֵּ֣י עֲצַבֵּיהֶ֑ם עֲצַבֵּיהֶ֔ם עֲצַבֵּיהֶ֖ם עֲצַבֶּ֔יהָ עֲצַבֶּ֖יהָ עָצְבִּ֣י עצבי עצביה עצביהם עצבים ‘ă·ṣab·bê ‘ă·ṣab·be·hā ‘ă·ṣab·bê·hem ‘ă·ṣab·bîm ‘ā·ṣə·bî ‘ăṣab·bê·hem ‘ăṣabbê ‘ăṣabbehā ‘ăṣabbêhem ‘ăṣabbîm ‘āṣəbî atzabBei atzabBeiha atzabbeiHem atzabBim atzeBi hā‘ăṣabbîm hā·‘ă·ṣab·bîm haatzabBim la‘ăṣabbê lā‘ăṣabbîm la·‘ă·ṣab·bê lā·‘ă·ṣab·bîm laatzabBei laatzabBim velaatzabBeiha wə·la·‘ă·ṣab·be·hā wəla‘ăṣabbehāLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Samuel 31:9 HEB: לְבַשֵּׂ֛ר בֵּ֥ית עֲצַבֵּיהֶ֖ם וְאֶת־ הָעָֽם׃ NAS: to the house of their idols and to the people. KJV: [it in] the house of their idols, and among the people. INT: to carry to the house of their idols the people 2 Samuel 5:21 1 Chronicles 10:9 2 Chronicles 24:18 Psalm 106:36 Psalm 106:38 Psalm 115:4 Psalm 135:15 Isaiah 10:11 Isaiah 46:1 Isaiah 48:5 Jeremiah 50:2 Hosea 4:17 Hosea 8:4 Hosea 13:2 Hosea 14:8 Micah 1:7 Zechariah 13:2 18 Occurrences |
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lop trees with a 
, a kind of reaping-hook; Ethiopic 
, 
, reap, 
, 
, sickle; Late Hebrew מַעֲצָד axe (smaller than כַּשִּׁיל LevyNHWB ii. 423).