Lexical Summary atsil: Noble, nobleman, chief Original Word: אָצִיל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance chief man, noble From 'atsal (in its secondary sense of separation); an extremity (Isa. 41:9), also a noble -- chief man, noble. see HEBREW 'atsal NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as etsel Definition a side, corner, a chief NASB Translation nobles (1), remotest parts (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs אָצִיל noun [masculine] side, corner, chief — plural construct אֲצִילֵי Exodus 24:11; suffix אֲצִילֶיהָ Isaiah 41:9; — 1 sides (borders) of earth Isaiah 41:9 ("" קצות); compare ׳ירכתי א Jeremiah 6:22 etc. 2 figurative nobles (perhaps as sides, supports, compare below מִּנּוֺת; so Ew Di but perhaps = Topical Lexicon Meaning and Concept אָצִיל denotes those who stand out from the common rank—men of influence, dignity, and responsibility. The term carries the nuance of being set apart or distinguished, hinting at both privilege and accountability before God. Occurrences in Scripture 1. Exodus 24:11 – “Yet He did not lay His hand on the nobles of the Israelites. They saw God, and they ate and drank.” Covenant Context at Sinai (Exodus 24:11) The “nobles of the Israelites” are part of the covenant ceremony alongside Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and the seventy elders. Their presence illustrates God’s desire that national leadership experience His holiness firsthand. They see a theophany yet remain unharmed—an early display of divine grace that anticipates the New Covenant meal where leaders again partake in fellowship with God through Christ (Luke 22:14–20). Their eating and drinking on the mountain underscores that covenant relationship with the Lord is not merely legal but deeply relational. Divine Calling from the Nations (Isaiah 41:9) When Isaiah speaks of Israel being called “from its farthest corners,” the phrase includes אָצִיל to stress that God’s election reaches even the highest social strata scattered among the nations. The same people who bore exile now hear the reassuring declaration, “You are My servant.” Nobility here does not guarantee immunity from suffering, but it does underscore corporate responsibility: the leaders are summoned to embody servant-hood for the sake of the whole people. Relation to Other Hebrew Terms for Nobility Unlike שַׂר (“prince”) or נָדִיב (“generous noble”), אָצִיל places weight on being set apart. It stands closer to נָשִׂיא (“lifted up one”) in function, yet retains an almost liturgical undertone: those distinguished must mediate blessing, not merely wield authority. Theological Themes • Representation: Nobles act as intermediaries between God and His covenant community. Practical Ministry Applications • Leadership should pursue intimate fellowship with God before attempting to guide others. Messianic Foreshadowing The protected “nobles” of Exodus foreshadow the ultimate Noble, Jesus Christ, who would see God “face to face” and provide the covenant meal of His body and blood. Their safe vision anticipates the incarnate revelation where, in Christ, “the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us” (John 1:14). Summary אָצִיל evokes the privilege and burden of high calling. Whether on Sinai’s heights or amid exile’s dispersion, Scripture portrays nobles as summoned to behold God, represent His people, and serve His purposes. Their example invites every believer—especially those in positions of influence—to walk in reverent intimacy and sacrificial leadership until the eternal kingdom fully manifests. Forms and Transliterations אֲצִילֵי֙ אצילי וּמֵאֲצִילֶ֖יהָ ומאציליה ’ă·ṣî·lê ’ăṣîlê atziLei ū·mê·’ă·ṣî·le·hā ūmê’ăṣîlehā umeatziLeihaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 24:11 HEB: וְאֶל־ אֲצִילֵי֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל NAS: against the nobles of the sons KJV: And upon the nobles of the children INT: against the nobles of the sons of Israel Isaiah 41:9 2 Occurrences |
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noble — from 
be rooted, 
root, metaphor origin, stock — properly a man having a (known) origin, sprung from an ancient and famous stock; so Ges, compare LagBN 68)