Lexical Summary atsah: To shut, close, stop Original Word: עָצָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance shut A primitive root; properly, to fasten (or make firm), i.e. To close (the eyes) -- shut. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to shut NASB Translation winks (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs I. [עָצָה] verb shut (Arabic ( and  )  IV. shut eyes; Ethiopic  : shut door); — Qal Participle active עֹצֶה עֵינָיו Proverbs 16:30 he that shuts his eyes (SS compare עצּם [Isaiah 29:10], which Gr reads). II. עצה (√ of following; meaning dubious; compare Sabean עצֿם wood DHMZMG xxxvii (1883), 341, 412, Arabic Topical Lexicon Root Imagery and Symbolism The verb conveys the deliberate closing or narrowing of the eyes. In Scripture this physical motion becomes a metaphor for an inward intention: either the secret scheming of sinful humans or the settled, sovereign plan of the Lord. Eyes mark perception and purpose (2 Samuel 22:28; Matthew 6:22–23); to shut them is therefore to harbor a purpose that is hidden from public view but fully known to God (Hebrews 4:13). Occurrences in Scripture 1. Proverbs 16:30 – “He who winks his eye devises perversity; he who purses his lips brings evil to pass.” 2. Isaiah 14:26 – “This is the plan devised for the whole earth, and this is the hand stretched out over all the nations.” Thematic Connections • Human Plotting versus Divine Purpose: Scripture frequently contrasts the frailty of human schemes with the immovable counsel of God (Psalm 33:10–11; Proverbs 21:30; Acts 4:27–28). The two uses of the verb sharpen that contrast: one wink births perversity; the other word announces the Lord’s universal strategy. Historical Context • Proverbs emerged from the court wisdom of Solomon and later compilers, calling Israel to ethical integrity in everyday life. In that setting, an insincere wink threatened social trust and covenant community. Practical Ministry Applications • Pastoral Warning: Teach believers to avoid every appearance of manipulative secrecy. Integrity means letting intentions match expressions (James 5:12). Christological and Redemptive Significance The cross embodies the intersection of human scheming and divine purpose. Authorities “gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus” (Acts 4:27), yet they accomplished “whatever Your hand and Your purpose had determined beforehand” (Acts 4:28). What looked like a triumph of covert malice became the decisive revelation of God’s saving plan (Isaiah 53:10; Ephesians 1:9–10). Homiletical and Discipleship Notes • Sermon title suggestion: “The Wink and the Word: When Human Schemes Meet God’s Sovereign Plan.” Forms and Transliterations הַיְּעוּצָ֖ה היעוצה עֹצֶ֣ה עצה ‘ō·ṣeh ‘ōṣeh haiyeuTzah hay·yə·‘ū·ṣāh hayyə‘ūṣāh oTzehLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Proverbs 16:30 HEB: עֹצֶ֣ה עֵ֭ינָיו לַחְשֹׁ֣ב NAS: He who winks his eyes KJV: He shutteth his eyes to devise INT: winks his eyes devise Isaiah 14:26 2 Occurrences |
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, originally 
noun of individual meaning of 
large, thorny trees (see Lane; also NöGGA 1862, 544; ZMG xxxii (1878), 406 LagBN 158 f.); Ethiopic 
: tree, wood; Assyrian iƒ(ƒ)u; Phoenician עץ wood; Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew; Aramaic אָע (initial א by dissimilation); BaNB §2,c.1 thinks originally biliteral).