8456. tazaz

Lexical Summary

tazaz: To be strong, to prevail, to harden

Original Word: תָּזַז
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: tazaz
Pronunciation: tah-ZAZ
Phonetic Spelling: (taw-zaz')
KJV: cut down
NASB: cut away
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to lop off

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

darts

A primitive root; to lop off -- cut down.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to strike away
NASB Translation
cut away (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

[תָּזַז] verb Hiph`il strike away (ᵑ7 נְתַז (rare) spring forth; Late Hebrew נִתֵּז spring, spurt, out; Hiph`il, Aph`el cut off (head, etc.)); — Perfect3masculine singular אֶתהַֿנְּטִישׁוֺת הֵמִיר הֵתַ֑ז Isaiah 18:5.

תַּזְנוּת see זנה. [תַּחְבֻּלָה] see I. חבל.

תֹּחוּ see תּוֺחַ. תַּחְכְמֹנִי.

תַּחֲלֻאִים see I. חלא. תְּחִלָּה see II. חלל p. 321.

תֹּחֶ֫לֶת see תּוֺחֶלֶת below יחל. תַּחְמָס see חמם.

תַּ֫חַן see חנה. I, II. תְּחִנָּה see I. חק.

תַּחֲנוּן see חנן. [תַּתֲנְה], תַּחֲנִי see חנה.

Topical Lexicon

Root and Imagery

The verb תָּזַז evokes the action of trimming or cutting away excess growth from a vine or tree. In the agricultural world of ancient Israel, such pruning was essential for a healthy harvest; dead or superfluous shoots sapped strength from the plant and prevented full fruitfulness. The word therefore carries connotations of decisive, purposeful removal for the sake of a greater yield.

Biblical Usage

The sole occurrence is Isaiah 18:5: “For before the harvest, when the blossom is gone and the flower becomes a ripening grape, He will cut off the shoots with pruning knives and clear away the spreading branches” (Berean Standard Bible). The context is a prophecy concerning Cush (Ethiopia) and, more broadly, the nations that menace Judah. The LORD is pictured as a vinedresser who calmly waits for the right moment and then removes unprofitable growth even before the grapes are gathered.

Historical and Cultural Context

Isaiah delivered this oracle during the eighth century B.C., a time of shifting alliances and mounting geopolitical pressure from Assyria. Envoys from Cush sought military partnership with Judah (Isaiah 18:1–2). Rather than encouraging a defensive pact, God signaled that He would personally address the looming danger. The pruning metaphor assured Judah that the Almighty’s intervention would be both timely and surgical—eliminating threat at its source while preserving what would ultimately serve His redemptive purposes.

Viticulture was familiar to Isaiah’s audience. Pruning typically occurred twice: once after the harvest to prepare the vine for winter dormancy, and again in spring to regulate new growth. Isaiah’s picture of pruning “before the harvest” accentuates divine foresight; the LORD anticipates the final outcome and acts before any human hand can interfere.

Theological Significance

1. Divine Sovereignty and Timing. The verb underscores God’s mastery over events. He is neither hurried nor passive; He intervenes “before the harvest,” when human observers would least expect decisive action (compare Habakkuk 2:3).
2. Judgement Mixed with Mercy. By removing only the shoots and branches, the vinedresser spares the vine itself. Likewise, God’s judgement on the nations would discipline but not annihilate, leaving room for future blessing (Isaiah 19:19–25).
3. Pruning as Discipline. Scripture frequently links pruning to divine discipline for greater fruitfulness (John 15:2; Hebrews 12:10–11). Isaiah’s use of תָּזַז provides an Old Testament backdrop to this New Testament theme, illustrating that God’s refining work spans both covenants.

Intertextual Echoes

• Isaiah 5:1–7 portrays Israel as an unfruitful vineyard that is judged.
• John 15:1–6 depicts Christ as the true vine whose branches the Father prunes.
• Romans 11:17–22 speaks of branches broken off and grafted in, emphasizing God’s kindness and severity.

These passages, together with תָּזַז, weave a consistent biblical motif: fruitful covenant relationship requires the removal of what hinders life.

Ministry Application

1. Pastoral Encouragement. Seasons of divine pruning may feel abrupt, yet Isaiah 18:5 affirms the purposeful love behind the process. Believers can be assured that God only removes what threatens long-term fruitfulness.
2. Self-Examination. Churches and individual Christians should invite the vinedresser’s knife, asking the Spirit to expose habits or ministries that drain vitality (Psalm 139:23–24).
3. Mission Perspective. The oracle to Cush reminds global workers that God is orchestrating history. Strategic partnerships and plans have value, but ultimate security rests in His sovereign pruning of both opposition and unripe initiatives.
4. Hope in Judgement. Even when God cuts away the proud and the powerful, He is preparing a harvest of righteousness. This outlook fuels prayer for revival amid cultural upheaval.

Summary

תָּזַז captures a single, vivid slice of vineyard labor that reveals much about the LORD: His authority, patience, and commitment to a fruitful people. Isaiah’s brief but potent use of the term invites the faithful to trust the vinedresser’s hand, welcome His sanctifying cuts, and look with confidence toward the harvest He alone can secure.

Forms and Transliterations

הֵתַֽז׃ התז׃ hê·ṯaz heTaz hêṯaz

Englishman's Concordance

Isaiah 18:5
HEB: הַנְּטִישׁ֖וֹת הֵסִ֥יר הֵתַֽז׃
NAS: And remove [and] cut away the spreading branches.
KJV: and take away [and] cut down the branches.
INT: the spreading and remove cut

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 8456
1 Occurrence

hê·ṯaz — 1 Occ.