6113. atsar
Lexical Summary
atsar: To restrain, to hold back, to stop, to withhold

Original Word: עָצָר
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: `atsar
Pronunciation: ah-tsar
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-tsar')
KJV: X be able, close up, detain, fast, keep (self close, still), prevail, recover, refrain, X reign, restrain, retain, shut (up), slack, stay, stop, withhold (self)
NASB: shut, bond, checked, confined, detain, held back, restricted
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to inclose
2. by analogy, to hold back
3. also to maintain, rule, assemble

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
be able, close up, detain, fast, keep self close, still, prevail, recover,

A primitive root; to inclose; by analogy, to hold back; also to maintain, rule, assemble -- X be able, close up, detain, fast, keep (self close, still), prevail, recover, refrain, X reign, restrain, retain, shut (up), slack, stay, stop, withhold (self).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to restrain, retain
NASB Translation
able* (2), bond (5), checked (3), closed fast (1), confined (3), could (1), detain (2), detained (1), held back (2), kept (1), prevail (1), prevented (1), recover (1), refrain (1), restrained (1), restrains (1), restricted (2), retain (2), retained (2), rule (1), shut (7), slow down (1), stayed (1), stop (1), stopped (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
עָצַר46 verb restrain, retain (Late Hebrew id.; compare probably Assyrian eƒêru, retain, restrain, DlHWB 122 JägerBAS i. 483 Zehnpfib. 500; Ethiopic press, Arabic ; ᵑ7 עֲצַר Syriac id.); **compare Assyrian usƒurtu, taboo SACJA, 1904, 754. —

Qal Perfect3masculine singular ׳ע Genesis 20:18 +, suffix עֲצָרַנִי Genesis 16:2; 1singular יָצַרְתִּי Daniel 10:8,16; etc.; Imperfect3masculine singular יַעְצֹר 1 Samuel 9:17 +, יַעְצָרֿ2Chron 2:5; suffix יַעֲצָרְכָה 1 Kings 18:44, etc.; Infinitive absolute עָצֹר Genesis 20:18, construct לַעִצֹר2Chronicles 22:9, וַעְצֹר Job 4:2 (Ges§ 28b); Passive participle עָצוּר Jeremiah 33:1 +, etc.; —

1 restrain, with accusative of person Genesis 16:2 (J; + מִן, i.e. prevent), עָצֹר עָצַר בְּעֵד כָּלרֶֿחֶם Genesis 20:18 (E), compare absolute Isaiah 66:9 (opposed to מוֺלִיד); followed by infinitive 2 Kings 4:24; with accusative of person alone 1 Kings 18:44 hinder, stop; with accusative of sky (hindering rain) Deuteronomy 11:17; 2Chronicles 7:13; passive participle absolute shut up, or hindered (for reasons not given) Jeremiah 36:5; Nehemiah 6:10 (? by a vow, or by ceremonial uncleanness, compare RsSem i. 436 f., 2nd ed. 455 f.); = shut up (with ב, in prison) 2 Kings 17:4, passive participle Jeremiah 33:1; Jeremiah 39:15, figurative Jeremiah 20:9; on עָצוּר וְעָזוּב (5 t.) see I. עזב; עֲצֻרָה לָנוּ 1 Samuel 21:6 women have been kept away with reference to us (compare RSl.c.); עָצוּר מִמְּנֵי 1 Chronicles 12:1 kept away from before Saul; = detain, with accusative Judges 13:15,16; in Job with בְּ, בְּמִלִּין ׳ע Job 4:2, compare Job 29:9, so בַּמַּיִם Job 12:5; בְּעַמִּי ׳ע 1 Samuel 9:17 is rule over, etc. (si vera lectio); insert also (with other words) 1 Samuel 10:1 ᵐ5 We Dr and others

2 (late) retain, with accusative כֹּחַ2Chronicles 13:20; 22:9; Daniel 10:8,16; Daniel 11:6; + infinitive = be able to 1 Chronicles 29:14; 2Chron 2:5; omit כֹּחַ2Chron 14:10 (+ עִמְּךָ), 2 Chronicles 20:37 (+ infinitive).

Niph`al be restrained, stayed, of plague: Perfect 3 feminine singular נֶעֱצָ֑רָה Numbers 17:15; Imperfect3feminine singular תֵּעָצַר 2 Samuel 24:27 = 1 Chronicles 21:22, וַתֵּעָצַר Numbers 17:13; Numbers 25:8 (P) 2 Samuel 24:25; Psalm 106:30; be shut up (of sky), Infinitive construct בְּהֵעָצֵר 1 Kings 8:35 2Chronicles 6:26; be under restraint or detention Participle נֶעְצָר 1 Samuel 21:8 + ׳לִפְחנֵי י (? i.e. kept by a vow, compare HPS and Nehemiah 6:10 above).

Topical Lexicon
Overview and Key Motifs

The root idea expressed through עָצָר is that of restraining, holding back, or shutting up. Throughout its forty-plus appearances the term underscores that the God of Scripture both limits and releases life, nature, judgment, and human passion according to His covenant purposes. The contexts fall naturally into five spheres: (1) womb and fertility, (2) drought and the heavens, (3) pestilence and plague, (4) violence and revenge, and (5) moral and spiritual self-control. Each sphere bears witness to divine sovereignty, human responsibility, and the place of intercession.

1. Restraining or Opening the Womb

Genesis anchors the theme. Sarai confesses, “The LORD has prevented me from bearing children” (Genesis 16:2). Later, Abimelech’s household suffers barrenness: “For the LORD had completely closed all the wombs of Abimelech’s household because of Sarah” (Genesis 20:18). In both narratives the restraint is reversible, highlighting God’s power to give or withhold life. Isaiah revisits the motif: “Shall I bring the moment of birth and not give delivery? … says your God” (Isaiah 66:9). Barrenness is never random; it urges dependence on the Creator who alone “makes the barren woman abide in the house, a joyful mother of children” (Psalm 113:9, cf. Hannah’s story).

Ministry significance: Couples struggling with infertility may draw comfort from the repeated Biblical assurance that closed and opened wombs lie within the gracious providence of God, often leading to prayer, humility, and unexpected blessing (compare Genesis 25:21; 1 Samuel 1:10–20).

2. Withholding or Releasing Rain

Covenant stipulations link obedience to agricultural blessing. Moses warns, “Then the LORD’s anger will burn against you, and He will shut up the heavens so that there will be no rain” (Deuteronomy 11:17). Solomon echoes the clause in his temple dedication prayer (1 Kings 8:35; 2 Chronicles 6:26). When apostasy matures under Ahab, Elijah announces, “As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives… there will be neither dew nor rain in the coming years except at my word” (1 Kings 17:1). The three-and-a-half-year drought dramatizes covenant consequences and the power of intercessory prayer (James 5:17-18).

Ministry significance: Drought narratives call congregations to examine communal faithfulness and to intercede for both physical and spiritual “rain.” Modern application is not literalistic weather control but recognition that God may withhold blessing to redirect His people to repentance.

3. Staying Plague and Pestilence

The dramatic rebellions in Numbers illustrate how judgment can be “stayed.” When Korah’s company is judged, “Aaron stood between the living and the dead, and the plague was halted” (Numbers 16:48). Phinehas later thrusts through the fornicators and “the plague on the Israelites was stopped” (Numbers 25:8). Centuries afterward David’s census sin brings devastation until he builds an altar: “So the LORD answered the prayers on behalf of the land, and the plague upon Israel was halted” (2 Samuel 24:25; parallel 1 Chronicles 21:22-27).

Ministry significance: These accounts elevate the priestly and mediatorial role—intercession, atonement, and righteous zeal can restrain judgment. They underscore the gospel pattern in which the greater High Priest stands between the living and the dead, redirecting wrath upon Himself (Hebrews 7:25-27; 1 Peter 2:24).

4. Restraining Violence and Personal Vengeance

David repeatedly “holds back” his men from bloodshed. In the cave scene, “David persuaded his men with these words and did not allow them to rise up against Saul” (1 Samuel 24:7). Abigail blesses David, “Now, my lord, as surely as the LORD lives… the LORD has kept you from bloodguilt and from avenging yourself by your own hand” (1 Samuel 25:26; cf. 25:33). The incidents reveal that divine restraint often comes through wise counsel or a leader’s self-control.

Ministry significance: Pastors and leaders must sometimes restrain their own hearts and their followers, trusting God rather than wielding immediate retaliation. Abigail’s intervention models peacemaking, while David’s restraint foreshadows Christ’s refusal to call legions of angels (Matthew 26:53).

5. Personal Sanctification and Self-Control

The psalmist prays, “Keep Your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me” (Psalm 19:13). Likewise, “I have kept my feet from every evil path, that I may keep Your word” (Psalm 119:101). Here the vocabulary of restraint is internal, not circumstantial. Self-control is presented as a gracious work of God that nevertheless requires intentional human cooperation (compare Galatians 5:23).

Ministry significance: Believers pursue holiness by leaning on the Lord who alone can “hold back” the old nature. Discipleship involves both prayer for divine keeping and practical steps that “make no provision for the flesh” (Romans 13:14).

Interplay of Divine Sovereignty and Human Agency

Whether the restraint concerns wombs, weather, warfare, or willpower, Scripture consistently presents God as the ultimate actor. Yet He frequently employs secondary means: prophetic declarations, priestly mediation, a woman’s timely counsel, or a believer’s deliberate obedience. This dual emphasis safeguards against fatalism while preserving robust confidence in divine rule.

Prophetic and Eschatological Notes

Joel’s locust plague anticipates a worldwide “Day of the LORD” unless the nation repents (Joel 1–2). Revelation echoes the motif when angels are told to “hold back the four winds of the earth” (Revelation 7:1), portraying cosmic restraint until God’s redemptive sealing is complete. The Old Testament verb therefore prepares readers for the climactic restraint of wrath in Christ and its final removal in judgment.

Applications for Prayer and Ministry

1. Intercessory Urgency: Just as Moses, Aaron, and Phinehas stood in the gap, the church is summoned to pray that outbreaks of moral, physical, or societal “plagues” be halted.
2. Stewardship of Blessing: The withholding of rain or fertility instructs believers to receive prosperity with gratitude and to interpret adversity as a call to re-alignment with God’s will.
3. Peace-Making Leadership: Davidic restraint, informed by Abigail’s wisdom, offers a template for defusing conflict within families, congregations, and nations.
4. Personal Holiness: Psalmic prayers demonstrate that sanctification involves pleading for divine power to restrain inner impulses while exercising Spirit-enabled discipline.

Select Representative References

Womb and Fertility: Genesis 16:2; 20:18; Isaiah 66:9

Rain and Heaven: Deuteronomy 11:17; 1 Kings 8:35; 17:1; 2 Chronicles 7:13

Plague and Pestilence: Numbers 16:48-50; 25:8; 2 Samuel 24:21, 25; 1 Chronicles 21:22, 27

Violence and Vengeance: 1 Samuel 24:7; 25:26, 33

Self-Control and Sin: Psalm 19:13; 119:101

These occurrences together reveal a consistent Biblical theology: the same God who restrains also releases, doing both in perfect wisdom to advance His covenant plan and ultimately to magnify the glory of Jesus Christ, in whom all divine purposes find their “Yes” and “Amen” (2 Corinthians 1:20).

Forms and Transliterations
אֶֽעֱצֹ֤ר אעצר בְּהֵעָצֵ֥ר בְּהֵעָצֵ֧ר בהעצר וְעָצ֥וּר וְעָצַ֖רְתִּי וְעָצַ֤ר וְתֵעָצַ֥ר וַ֝תֵּעָצַ֗ר וַֽיַּעַצְרֵ֙הוּ֙ וַעְצֹ֥ר וַתֵּֽעָצַר֙ וַתֵּעָצַ֖ר וַתֵּעָצַ֥ר ויעצרהו ועצור ועצר ועצרתי ותעצר יַעְצֹ֣ר יַעְצֹ֥ר יַעֲצָר־ יַעַצָרְכָ֖ה יעצר יעצר־ יעצרכה לַעְצֹ֥ר לעצר נֶעְצָר֙ נֶעֱצָֽרָה׃ נַעְצְרָה־ נַעְצֹ֣ר נעצר נעצרה־ נעצרה׃ עֲצָרַ֤נִי עֲצֻֽרָה־ עָצ֑וּר עָצ֔וּר עָצ֥וּר עָצְר֖וּ עָצְר֣וּ עָצַ֖רְתִּי עָצַ֧ר עָצַר֙ עָצֹ֤ר עָצֻ֖ר עָצוּר֙ עצור עצר עצרה־ עצרו עצרני עצרתי תַּעְצְרֵ֙נִי֙ תַּעֲצָר־ תַעְצֹ֞ר תעצר תעצר־ תעצרני ‘ă·ṣā·ra·nî ‘ā·ṣar ‘ā·ṣar·tî ‘ā·ṣə·rū ‘ā·ṣōr ‘ă·ṣu·rāh- ‘ā·ṣur ‘ā·ṣūr ‘āṣar ‘ăṣāranî ‘āṣartî ‘āṣərū ‘āṣōr ‘āṣur ‘āṣūr ‘ăṣurāh- ’e‘ĕṣōr ’e·‘ĕ·ṣōr aTzar atzaRani aTzarti atzeRu aTzor aTzur atzurah bə·hê·‘ā·ṣêr bəhê‘āṣêr beheaTzer eeTzor la‘·ṣōr la‘ṣōr laTzor na‘·ṣə·rāh- na‘·ṣōr na‘ṣərāh- na‘ṣōr natzerah naTzor ne‘·ṣār ne‘ĕṣārāh ne‘ṣār ne·‘ĕ·ṣā·rāh neeTzarah neTzar ta‘·ṣə·rê·nî ṯa‘·ṣōr ta‘ăṣār- ta‘ṣərênî ṯa‘ṣōr ta·‘ă·ṣār- taatzor tatzeReni taTzor vaiyaatzRehu vatteaTzar vaTzor veaTzar veaTzarti veaTzur veteaTzar wa‘·ṣōr wa‘ṣōr wat·tê·‘ā·ṣar wattê‘āṣar way·ya·‘aṣ·rê·hū wayya‘aṣrêhū wə‘āṣar wə‘āṣartî wə‘āṣūr wə·‘ā·ṣar wə·‘ā·ṣar·tî wə·‘ā·ṣūr wə·ṯê·‘ā·ṣar wəṯê‘āṣar ya‘·ṣōr ya‘ăṣār- ya‘aṣārəḵāh ya‘ṣōr ya·‘a·ṣā·rə·ḵāh ya·‘ă·ṣār- yaatzareChah yaatzor yaTzor
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Englishman's Concordance
Genesis 16:2
HEB: הִנֵּה־ נָ֞א עֲצָרַ֤נִי יְהוָה֙ מִלֶּ֔דֶת
NAS: the LORD has prevented me from bearing
KJV: Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing:
INT: behold Now has prevented the LORD bearing

Genesis 20:18
HEB: כִּֽי־ עָצֹ֤ר עָצַר֙ יְהוָ֔ה
NAS: For the LORD had closed fast all
KJV: For the LORD had fast closed up
INT: for had closed fast the LORD

Genesis 20:18
HEB: כִּֽי־ עָצֹ֤ר עָצַר֙ יְהוָ֔ה בְּעַ֥ד
NAS: had closed fast all
KJV: had fast closed up all the wombs
INT: for had closed fast the LORD about

Numbers 16:48
HEB: וּבֵ֣ין הַֽחַיִּ֑ים וַתֵּעָצַ֖ר הַמַּגֵּפָֽה׃
NAS: so that the plague was checked.
KJV: and the plague was stayed.
INT: between and the living was checked the plague

Numbers 16:50
HEB: מוֹעֵ֑ד וְהַמַּגֵּפָ֖ה נֶעֱצָֽרָה׃ פ
NAS: for the plague had been checked.
KJV: and the plague was stayed.
INT: of meeting the plague had been checked

Numbers 25:8
HEB: אֶל־ קֳבָתָ֑הּ וַתֵּֽעָצַר֙ הַמַּגֵּפָ֔ה מֵעַ֖ל
NAS: on the sons of Israel was checked.
KJV: So the plague was stayed from the children
INT: through her belly was checked the plague on

Deuteronomy 11:17
HEB: יְהוָ֜ה בָּכֶ֗ם וְעָצַ֤ר אֶת־ הַשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙
NAS: will be kindled against you, and He will shut up the heavens
KJV: be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven,
INT: the anger of the LORD will shut the heavens will be no

Deuteronomy 32:36
HEB: יָ֔ד וְאֶ֖פֶס עָצ֥וּר וְעָזֽוּב׃
NAS: And there is none [remaining], bond or free.
KJV: and [there is] none shut up, or left.
INT: that strength and there bond free

Judges 13:15
HEB: מַלְאַ֣ךְ יְהוָ֑ה נַעְצְרָה־ נָּ֣א אוֹתָ֔ךְ
NAS: Please let us detain you so that we may prepare
KJV: of the LORD, I pray thee, let us detain thee, until we shall have made ready
INT: the angel of the LORD detain Please may prepare

Judges 13:16
HEB: מָנ֗וֹחַ אִם־ תַּעְצְרֵ֙נִי֙ לֹא־ אֹכַ֣ל
NAS: Though you detain me, I will not eat
KJV: unto Manoah, Though thou detain me, I will not eat
INT: Manoah Though detain I will not eat

1 Samuel 9:17
HEB: אֵלֶ֔יךָ זֶ֖ה יַעְצֹ֥ר בְּעַמִּֽי׃
NAS: to you! This one shall rule over My people.
KJV: whom I spake to thee of! this same shall reign over my people.
INT: to you This shall rule my people

1 Samuel 21:6
HEB: אִם־ אִשָּׁ֤ה עֲצֻֽרָה־ לָ֙נוּ֙ כִּתְמ֣וֹל
INT: lo ess be able before before that time

1 Samuel 21:8
HEB: בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֗וּא נֶעְצָר֙ לִפְנֵ֣י יְהוָ֔ה
INT: age he be able accept God

2 Samuel 24:21
HEB: מִזְבֵּ֙חַ֙ לַֽיהוָ֔ה וְתֵעָצַ֥ר הַמַּגֵּפָ֖ה מֵעַ֥ל
NAS: that the plague may be held back from the people.
KJV: that the plague may be stayed from the people.
INT: an altar to the LORD may be held the plague from

2 Samuel 24:25
HEB: יְהוָה֙ לָאָ֔רֶץ וַתֵּעָצַ֥ר הַמַּגֵּפָ֖ה מֵעַ֥ל
NAS: and the plague was held back from Israel.
KJV: and the plague was stayed from Israel.
INT: the LORD the land was held and the plague from

1 Kings 8:35
HEB: בְּהֵעָצֵ֥ר שָׁמַ֛יִם וְלֹא־
NAS: When the heavens are shut up and there is no
KJV: When heaven is shut up, and there is no rain,
INT: are shut the heavens is no

1 Kings 14:10
HEB: מַשְׁתִּ֣ין בְּקִ֔יר עָצ֥וּר וְעָז֖וּב בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
NAS: every male person, both bond and free
KJV: against the wall, [and] him that is shut up and left
INT: every the wall bond and free Israel

1 Kings 18:44
HEB: וָרֵ֔ד וְלֹ֥א יַעַצָרְכָ֖ה הַגָּֽשֶׁם׃
NAS: so that the [heavy] shower does not stop you.'
KJV: that the rain stop thee not.
INT: and go does not stop the shower

1 Kings 21:21
HEB: מַשְׁתִּ֣ין בְּקִ֔יר וְעָצ֥וּר וְעָז֖וּב בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
NAS: every male, both bond and free
KJV: against the wall, and him that is shut up and left
INT: every the wall bond and free Israel

2 Kings 4:24
HEB: וָלֵ֑ךְ אַל־ תַּעֲצָר־ לִ֣י לִרְכֹּ֔ב
NAS: and go forward; do not slow down the pace
KJV: and go forward; slack not [thy] riding
INT: and go not slow the pace for

2 Kings 9:8
HEB: מַשְׁתִּ֣ין בְּקִ֔יר וְעָצ֥וּר וְעָז֖וּב בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
NAS: every male person both bond and free
KJV: against the wall, and him that is shut up and left
INT: every the wall bond and free Israel

2 Kings 14:26
HEB: מְאֹ֑ד וְאֶ֤פֶס עָצוּר֙ וְאֶ֣פֶס עָז֔וּב
NAS: for there was neither bond nor
KJV: for [there was] not any shut up, nor any left,
INT: very neither bond nor free

2 Kings 17:4
HEB: כְּשָׁנָ֣ה בְשָׁנָ֑ה וַֽיַּעַצְרֵ֙הוּ֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ אַשּׁ֔וּר
NAS: of Assyria shut him up and bound
KJV: of Assyria shut him up, and bound
INT: year year shut the king of Assyria

1 Chronicles 12:1
HEB: לְצִ֣יקְלַ֔ג ע֣וֹד עָצ֔וּר מִפְּנֵ֖י שָׁא֣וּל
NAS: while he was still restricted because
KJV: to Ziklag, while he yet kept himself close because
INT: Ziklag was still restricted because of Saul

1 Chronicles 21:22
HEB: תְּנֵ֣הוּ לִ֔י וְתֵעָצַ֥ר הַמַּגֵּפָ֖ה מֵעַ֥ל
NAS: it to me, that the plague may be restrained from the people.
KJV: that the plague may be stayed from the people.
INT: the full shall give may be restrained the plague from

46 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 6113
46 Occurrences


‘ā·ṣar — 2 Occ.
‘ă·ṣā·ra·nî — 1 Occ.
‘ā·ṣar·tî — 2 Occ.
‘ā·ṣə·rū — 2 Occ.
‘ā·ṣōr — 1 Occ.
‘ā·ṣūr — 9 Occ.
‘ă·ṣu·rāh- — 1 Occ.
bə·hê·‘ā·ṣêr — 2 Occ.
’e·‘ĕ·ṣōr — 1 Occ.
la‘·ṣōr — 1 Occ.
na‘·ṣə·rāh- — 1 Occ.
na‘·ṣōr — 1 Occ.
ne·‘ĕ·ṣā·rāh — 1 Occ.
ne‘·ṣār — 1 Occ.
ta·‘ă·ṣār- — 1 Occ.
ta‘·ṣə·rê·nî — 1 Occ.
ṯa‘·ṣōr — 1 Occ.
way·ya·‘aṣ·rê·hū — 1 Occ.
wat·tê·‘ā·ṣar — 4 Occ.
wa‘·ṣōr — 1 Occ.
wə·‘ā·ṣar — 1 Occ.
wə·‘ā·ṣar·tî — 1 Occ.
wə·‘ā·ṣūr — 2 Occ.
wə·ṯê·‘ā·ṣar — 2 Occ.
ya·‘a·ṣā·rə·ḵāh — 1 Occ.
ya·‘ă·ṣār- — 1 Occ.
ya‘·ṣōr — 3 Occ.

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