Lexical Definition

‎חָזַק‎ châzaq (khaw-zak') to strengthen: strengthen ^H:V
a primitive root

aid, amend, [idiom] calker, catch, cleave, confirm, be constant, constrain, continue, be of good (take) courage(-ous, -ly), encourage (self), be established, fasten, force, fortify, make hard, harden, help, (lay) hold (fast), lean, maintain, play the man, mend, become (wax) mighty, prevail, be recovered, repair, retain, seize, be (wax) sore, strengthen (self), be stout, be (make, shew, wax) strong(-er), be sure, take (hold), be urgent, behave self valiantly, withstand.

• to fasten upon
• hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate
• to bind, restrain, conquer

1) to strengthen, prevail, harden, be strong, become strong, be courageous, be firm, grow firm, be resolute, be sore
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be strong, grow strong
1a1a) to prevail, prevail upon
1a1b) to be firm, be caught fast, be secure
1a1c) to press, be urgent
1a1d) to grow stout, grow rigid, grow hard (bad sense)
1a1e) to be severe, be grievous
1a2) to strengthen
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to make strong
1b2) to restore to strength, give strength
1b3) to strengthen, sustain, encourage
1b4) to make strong, make bold, encourage
1b5) to make firm
1b6) to make rigid, make hard
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to make strong, strengthen
1c2) to make firm
1c3) to display strength
1c4) to make severe
1c5) to support
1c6) to repair
1c7) to prevail, prevail upon
1c8) to have or take or keep hold of, retain, hold up, sustain, support
1c9) to hold, contain
1d) (Hithpael)
1d1) to strengthen oneself
1d2) to put forth strength, use one's strength
1d3) to withstand
1d4) to hold strongly with

See Greek: ἀνδρίζομαι · ἀνθίστημι · ἀνίστημι · ἀντέχομαι · ἀντιλαμβάνομαι · ἀποσκευάζω · ἀσφαλίζω · βιάζω · βοηθέω · δέχομαι · δίδωμι · δυνάστης · δυνατός · εἰσάγω · ἐνισχύω · ἐπιλαμβάνομαι · ἐφίστημι · ἔχω · ἠχέω · ἰσχυρός · ἰσχύς · ἰσχύς · ἰσχύω · καθίστημι · καρτερέω · καταδυναστεύω · καταλαμβάνω · κατέχω · κατισχύω · κραταιός · κραταιόω · κρατέω · κράτος · κρεμάννυμι · λαμβάνω · παρακαλέω · προέχομαι · προσέχω · προσέχω · προσκαρτερέω · σκληρύνω · στερεός · στερεόω · συνέχω · ὑψηλός · φιλόνεικος · χωρέω

Extended Information

• : strengthen/support/encourage

Brown-Driver-Briggs

‎חָזַק‎₂₉₁ verb be or grow firm, strong, strengthen (Late Hebrew id.; Aramaic ‎חֲזַק‎ bind on or about, gird on, compare Arabic bind, squeeze) —

Qal Perfect ‎׳‎‎ח‎ Gen 41:57 + 4 t.; ‎חָזָק֑‎ 2Chr 26:15 suffix ‎חֲזָקוֺ‎ 2Chr 28:20, etc.; Imperfect ‎יֶהֱז֑ק‎ 2Chr 28:7 (Baer) + 2 t.; ‎וַיֶּחֱזַק‎ Gen 41:56 +; ‎יֶחֶזְקוּ‎ 2Sam 10:11 + 2 t.; ‎יֶחְזְקוּ‎ Isa 28:22 Imperative ‎חֲזַק‎ Deut 12:23 +; ‎חִזְקוּ‎ Deut 31:6 +; Infinitive construct ‎לְחָזְקָה‎ 2Kgs 12:13* suffix ‎לְחָזְקָהּ‎ Ezek 30:21 Participle ‎חָזֵק‎ Exod 19:19; 2Sam 3:1, etc.; — I. intransitive be or grow strong: —

1. a. of physical strength of hands Judg 7:11; 2Sam 2:7; 2Sam 16:21; Ezek 22:14; Zech 8:9; Zech 8:13 (on Ezek 3:14 see below); of arm, followed by infinitive Ezek 30:21 used of recovery from illness Isa 39:1 followed by ‎מִן‎ of comparison over power 1Sam 17:50 (with ‎בְּ‎ instrumental), 2Sam 13:14.
b. of people, army Deut 11:8; Josh 17:13 (JE), = Judg 1:28; Ezra 9:12 followed by ‎מִן‎ comparative be stronger than, too strong for, prevail against 2Sam 10:11 (twice in verse) = 1Chr 19:12 (twice in verse); 1Kgs 20:23; 1Kgs 20:25 id., followed by accusative 1Kgs 16:22, compare of ‎׳‎‎י‎ as prevailing over man Jer 20:7 (|| ‎יָכֹל‎); followed by ‎על‎ 2Chr 8:3; 2Chr 27:5.
c. of royal power ‎וְדָוִד הֹלֵךְ וְהָזֵק‎ 2Sam 3:1 (opposed to ‎הֹלְכִים וְדַלִּים‎); compare 2Chr 26:15 (|| ‎חֶזְקָה‎ v2Chr 26:16), Dan 11:5a.
d. prevail over, upon, of word of king 2Sam 24:4 (followed by ‎אֶלֿ‎) = 1Chr 21:4 (followed by ‎עַל‎).
e. of bonds Isa 28:22. feminine of sound of trumpet ‎הוֺלֵךְ וְהָזֵק מְאֹד‎ Exod 19:19 (E, compare ‎חָזָק‎ vExod 19:16) it grew much louder and louder.

2. be firm, fast: —
a. literally be caught fast, of Absalom's head 2Sam 18:9 (followed by ‎בְּ‎).
b. be firm, secure, of a kingdom 2Kgs 14:5 ( + ‎בְּיָדוֺ‎) = 2Chr 25:3 ( + ‎עָלָיו‎). Oftener
c. be firm = courageous, confident, especially Imperative, usually || ‎אמץ‎ (q. v.), Deut 31:6; Deut 31:7; Deut 31:23; Josh 1:6; Josh 1:7; Josh 1:9; Josh 1:18; Josh 10:25; Josh 23:6 (all D), 2Sam 10:12; 2Sam 13:28; 1Kgs 2:2; 1Chr 19:13 (|| ‎התחזק‎), 1Chr 22:13; 1Chr 28:10; 1Chr 28:20; 2Chr 15:7; 2Chr 19:11; 2Chr 32:7; Ezra 10:4; Ps 27:14; Ps 31:25*; Isa 35:4; Isa 41:6; Hag 2:4 (3 t. in verse); Dan 10:19 (twice in verse); followed by‎לַמִּלְחָמָה‎ 2Chr 25:8.
d. hold firmly to, devote oneself to, followed by ‎בְּ‎ 2Chr 31:4.
e. followed by Infinitive be firm not to eat blood, i.e. firmly refrain from it Deut 12:23, compare 1Chr 28:7.

3. press, be urgent, followed by ‎עַל‎ + Infinitive Exod 12:33 (E); followed by ‎עַל‎ of hand of ‎׳‎‎י‎ in prophetic ecstasy Ezek 3:14 (ᵐ5 Co read ‎חֲזָקָה‎, adjective, see ‎חָזָק‎).

4. in bad sense:
a. grow stout, rigid, hard, with idea of perversity, of Pharaoh's heart Exod 7:13; Exod 7:22; Exod 8:15* (all P), Exod 9:35 (R); compare ‎חזקו עָלַי דבריכם‎ Mal 3:13.
b. be severe, grievous, of battle 2Kgs 3:26 of famine Gen 41:56; Gen 41:57 (E), Gen 47:20 (J; followed by ‎על‎), 2Kgs 25:3 = Jer 52:6. II. transitive only ‎לֹא חֲזֶקוֺ‎ 2Chr 28:20 strengthened him not, but text very dubious (|| ‎וַיָצַר לוֺ‎). Pi`el Perfect ‎חִזַּק‎ Ps 147:13 +, etc.; Imperfect ‎וַיְחַזֵּק‎ Exod 9:12 + 10 t., etc.; Imperative ‎חַזֵּק‎ Neh 6:9 + 2 t.; feminine singular ‎חַזְּקִי‎ Nah 3:14 ‎חַזֵּ֑קִי‎ Isa 54:2 etc.; Infinitive construct ‎חַזֵּק‎ 2Kgs 12:9* + 12 t.; Participle ‎מְחַזֵּק‎ Exod 14:17 ‎מְחַזְּקִים‎ 2Kgs 12:9* —

1. make strong (physically):
a. followed by accusative of person Judg 16:28 followed by ‎על‎ Judg 3:12 followed by ‎מָתְנַיִם‎ Nah 2:2* (|| ‎אַמֵּץ כֹּחַ‎; of personified people).
b. = restore to strength Dan 10:18; Dan 10:19 to health Ezek 34:4; Ezek 34:16 with ‎לְ‎ give strength to 1Chr 29:12 so, followed by ‎זְרוֺעֹתָם‎, Hos 7:15; Ezek 30:24 (and vEzek 30:25 Co, see Hiph`il)
c. followed by accusative of thing Isa 41:7; Jer 10:4 (both with ‎בְּ‎ instrumental; of manufacture of idols); of strengthening tent-pegs, in metaphor Isa 54:4, compare Isa 33:23 followed by bars of gates Ps 147:13 often of making strong, fortifying a town, etc. Nah 3:14; 2Chr 11:11; 2Chr 11:12; 2Chr 26:9; 2Chr 32:5 = repair (wall, object not expressed) Neh 3:19 see Hiph`il; with accusative of temple 2Kgs 12:6*; 2Kgs 12:7*; 2Kgs 12:15*; 2Kgs 22:6; 2Kgs 2:5; 2Kgs 2:12; 2Kgs 29:3; 2Kgs 34:8, compare v2Chr 34:10 (|| ‎לִבְדּוֺק‎); followed by ‎׳‎‎לְבית י‎ 1Chr 26:27 object breaches (accusative) 2Kgs 12:8*; 2Kgs 12:9*; 2Kgs 12:13*; 2Kgs 22:5.
d. of establishing kingdom 2Chr 11:17.

2. strengthen the hands (accusative) of any one, i.e. sustain, encourage (opposed to ‎רִפָּה‎) Judg 9:24; Jer 23:14; Ezek 13:22; Isa 35:3; Job 4:3; Ezra 6:22; Neh 2:18; Neh 6:9; 2Chr 29:34 ‎ידו בֵּאלהים‎ ‎׳‎‎וַיְח‎ 1Sam 23:16 followed by ‎בְּ‎ Ezra 1:6 ( + ‎בְּ‎ instrumental)

3. make strong = bold, encourage, with accusative Deut 1:38; Deut 3:28; 2Sam 11:5; Isa 41:7 with accusative of person + ‎׳‎‎לַעֲבֹדַת בֵּית י‎ 2Chr 35:2.

4. make firm: —
a. with 2 accusative ‎וְאַבְנֵ˜טְךָ אֲחַוְּקֶנּוּ‎ Isa 22:21 and with thy sash (of office) will I make him firm, i.e. bind it firmly about him (|| ‎הלבישׁ‎).
b. make firm or fixed, = definitely adopt ‎ֿ‎‎׳‎‎יח‎ ‎לָמוֺ דָּבָר רָע‎ Ps 64:6*.

5. make rigid, hard, i.e. perverse, obstinate, harden (the heart of any one) Exod 4:21; Exod 10:20; Exod 10:27 (all E), Exod 9:12; Exod 11:10; Exod 14:4; Exod 14:8; Exod 14:17 (all P), Josh 11:20 (D); see also ‎פניהם מִסֶּלַע‎ ‎׳‎‎ח‎ Jer 5:3 . Hiph`il₁₁₈ Perfect ‎הֶחֱזִיק‎ Judg 7:8 +; 3 feminine singular ‎הֶחֱזִ֫יקָה‎ Jer 49:24 +; suffix ‎הֶחֱזִקָ֑תְנִי‎ Jer 8:21 ‎הֶחֱזַ֫קָתִּי‎ Neh 5:16 + 3 t.; ‎וְהַחֲזַקְתִּ֫י‎ Ezek 30:23, etc.; Imperfect ‎יַחֲזִיק‎ Job 8:15 + 2 t.; 1 singular ‎וְאַחְזֵק‎ Isa 42:6 ‎יַחֲזִיקוּ‎ Jer 6:23 + 2 t.; ‎יַחֲזִקוּ‎ Dan 11:32, etc.; Imperative ‎הַחֲזֵק‎ 2Sam 11:25 + 2 t., etc.; Infinitive construct ‎הַחֲזִיק‎ 2Kgs 15:19; Isa 64:6* suffix ‎הֶחֱזִיקִי‎ Jer 31:32 (‎׳‎‎הַח‎ Manuscript Petrop. see RS^{JPh xvi, 1888, 73}); Participle ‎מַחֲזִיק‎ Exod 9:2 + 9 t.; suffix ‎מַחֲזִקָהּ‎ Dan 11:6 feminine singular ‎מַחֲזֶקֶת‎ Neh 4:11* plural ‎מַחֲזִיקִים‎ Neh 4:10* + 5 t.; construct ‎מַחֲוִיקֵי‎ Ezek 27:9; Ezek 27:27 —

1. a. make strong, strengthen Jer 51:12.
b. make firm, the kingdom 2Kgs 15:19 ( + ‎בְּיָדוֺ‎).
c. display strength (late) 2Chr 26:8 (|| ‎׳‎‎וַיֵלֶךְ שְׁמוֺ עַד וגו‎), Dan 11:32 (|| ‎וְעָשׂוּ‎).

2. make severe, of battle 2Sam 11:25.

3. followed by ‎יד‎ = support Ezek 16:49 followed by ‎זְרוֺעוֺת‎ Ezek 30:25 (subject ‎׳‎‎י‎; but Co reads Pi`el as vEzek 30:24) .

4. = repair, walls of Jerusalem, Neh 3:4 (3 t. in verse) + 31 t. Neh 3 compare (in general) participle used substantively ‎מחזיקי בדקף‎ Ezek 27:9; Ezek 27:27 of Tyre and her ships (|| ‎מַלָּחִים‎, etc.)

5. prevail, absolute Dan 11:7 followed by ‎עַל‎ Job 18:9 prevail upon to ‎בּוֺ לֶאֱכֹל‎ ‎׳‎‎הח‎ 2Kgs 4:8.

6. especially take or keep hold of, seize, grasp:
a. take hold of, seize, catch, followed by ‎בְּ‎ Gen 19:4(J), Gen 21:18(E), Exod 4:4 (J; || ‎אחז‎), Judg 7:20; 1Sam 15:27; 2Sam 1:11; 1Kgs 1:50; 1Kgs 2:28; 2Kgs 2:12; 2Kgs 4:27; Isa 4:1; Zech 8:23 (twice in verse); Prov 7:13; Prov 26:17, compare also Judg 19:25; Judg 19:29; 2Chr 28:15 with violence Deut 22:25; Deut 25:11; 1Sam 17:35 (perhaps of consecutive frequently, see Dr), 2Sam 2:16; 2Sam 13:11 followed by ‎לְ‎ 2Sam 15:5 figurative take hold in order to lead one (subject ‎׳‎‎י‎) followed by ‎בְּ‎ Jer 31:32, c accusative Isa 41:9; Isa 41:13 compare Isa 51:18 (‎בְּ‎; || ‎נֵהֵל‎); followed by accusative Nah 3:14 take hold of the brick-mould, Jer 6:23 = Jer 50:42, Zech 14:13 (with violence), Ps 35:2; Neh 4:10*; Neh 4:11*, seize the kingdom Dan 11:21 in metaphor Mic 4:9 (‎הֶחֱזִיקֵךְ חִיל‎), Jer 6:24; Jer 8:21; Jer 49:24 (see Gie), Jer 50:43 of pious laying hold of ‎׳‎‎י‎, followed by ‎בְּ‎ Isa 64:6* compare Isa 27:5; Isa 56:2; Isa 56:4; Isa 56:6 of other gods 1Kgs 9:9 = 2Chr 7:22 laying hold of wisdom Prov 3:18, compare Prov 4:13; Job 2:3; Job 2:9; Job 27:6; Jer 8:5.
b. have or keep hold of, followed by ‎בְּ‎ Judg 16:26; 2Sam 3:29; Jer 50:33; Neh 4:15*.
c. hold up, followed by ‎בְּ‎, figurative = sustain, support Lev 25:35 of ‎׳‎‎י‎ holding his servants Isa 42:6; Isa 45:1, compare Job 8:20 see also participle used substantively Dan 11:1 (|| ‎מָעוֺז‎), vDan 11:6 (|| ‎מֵבִיא‎, ‎יֹלֵד‎); of Nehemiah holding fast to his (‎בְּ‎) his work Neh 5:16 compare of wicked, holding to his house Job 8:15 cleave or cling to (‎על‎) one's brethren Neh 10:30*. hence
c. keep, retain, followed by ‎בְּ‎ Exod 9:2 (J), Judg 7:8; Judg 19:4 so Ezek 7:13 Sm Co (ᵑ0 Hithpa`el); followed by anger (accusative) Mic 7:18.
d. hence also hold, contain, followed by accusative 2Chr 4:5. Hithpa`el (especially Chronicles) Perfect ‎הִתְחַזַּק‎ 2Chr 13:7 + 3 t., etc., Imperfect ‎וַיִּתְחַוֵּק‎ Gen 48:2 + 7 t.; ‎וַיִּתְחַזַּק‎ 2Chr 21:4; 2Chr 32:5 ‎יִתְחַזָּ֑קוּ‎ Ezek 7:13 (but Sm Co read Hiph`il), etc.; Imperative ‎הִתְחַוַּק‎ 1Kgs 20:22 ‎הִתְחַזְּקוּ‎ 1Sam 4:9 Infinitive construct ‎לְהִתְחַזֵּק‎ 2Chr 13:8; 2Chr 16:9 Participle ‎מִתְחַזֵּק‎ 2Sam 3:6; Dan 10:21 plural ‎מִתְחַזְּקִים‎ 1Chr 11:10 —

1. strengthen oneself 2Sam 3:6; 1Kgs 20:22; 2Chr 1:1; 2Chr 12:13; 2Chr 13:21; 2Chr 21:4; 2Chr 23:1; 2Chr 25:11; 2Chr 27:6 followed by ‎עַל‎ against 2Chr 17:1 gain strength Ezra 7:28; Dan 10:19, compare ‎ביהוה‎ ‎׳‎‎הִתְח‎ 1Sam 30:6 figurative= take courage 2Chr 15:8.

2. put forth strength, use one's strength Gen 48:2 (i.e. he exerted himself, he sat up by a great effort), Num 13:20; Judg 20:22; 1Sam 4:9; 2Sam 10:12; 1Chr 19:13; 2Chr 32:5.

3. followed by ‎לִפְנֵי‎ withstand 2Chr 13:7; 2Chr 13:8.

4. followed by ‎עִם‎ hold strongly with 1Chr 11:10; Dan 10:21, compare of ‎׳‎‎י‎, ‎עִם לְבָבָם שָׁלֵם אֵלָיו‎ ‎׳‎‎להתח‎ 2Chr 16:9. — For ‎יִתְחַזָּ֑קו‎ Ezek 7:13 read Hiph`il, see Sm Co Da.

Brown-Driver-Briggs References

Book	Refs
Genesis	19:4 · 21:18 · 41:56 · 41:57 · 47:20 · 48:2
Exodus	4:4 · 4:21 · 7:13 · 7:22 · 8:15* · 9:2 · 9:12 · 9:35 · 10:20 · 10:27 · 11:10 · 12:33 · 14:4 · 14:8 · 14:17 · 19:16 · 19:19
Leviticus	25:35
Numbers	13:20
Deuteronomy	1:38 · 3:28 · 11:8 · 12:23 · 22:25 · 25:11 · 31:6 · 31:7 · 31:23
Joshua	1:6 · 1:7 · 1:9 · 1:18 · 10:25 · 11:20 · 17:13 · 23:6
Judges	1:28 · 3:12 · 7:8 · 7:11 · 7:20 · 9:24 · 16:26 · 16:28 · 19:4 · 19:25 · 19:29 · 20:22
1 Samuel	4:9 · 15:27 · 17:35 · 17:50 · 23:16 · 30:6
2 Samuel	1:11 · 2:7 · 2:16 · 3:1 · 3:6 · 3:29 · 10:11 · 10:12 · 11:5 · 11:25 · 13:11 · 13:14 · 13:28 · 15:5 · 16:21 · 18:9 · 24:4
1 Kings	1:50 · 2:2 · 2:28 · 9:9 · 16:22 · 20:22 · 20:23 · 20:25
2 Kings	2:5 · 2:12 · 3:26 · 4:8 · 4:27 · 12:6* · 12:7* · 12:8* · 12:9* · 12:13* · 12:15* · 14:5 · 15:19 · 22:5 · 22:6 · 25:3 · 29:3 · 34:8
1 Chronicles	11:10 · 19:12 · 19:13 · 21:4 · 22:13 · 26:27 · 28:7 · 28:10 · 28:20 · 29:12
2 Chronicles	1:1 · 4:5 · 7:22 · 8:3 · 11:11 · 11:12 · 11:17 · 12:13 · 13:7 · 13:8 · 13:21 · 15:7 · 15:8 · 16:9 · 17:1 · 19:11 · 21:4 · 23:1 · 25:3 · 25:8 · 25:11 · 26:8 · 26:9 · 26:15 · 26:16 · 27:5 · 27:6 · 28:7 · 28:15 · 28:20 · 29:34 · 31:4 · 32:5 · 32:7 · 34:10 · 35:2
Ezra	1:6 · 6:22 · 7:28 · 9:12 · 10:4
Nehemiah	2:18 · Chapter 3 · 3:4 · 3:19 · 4:10* · 4:11* · 4:15* · 5:16 · 6:9 · 10:30*
Job	2:3 · 2:9 · 4:3 · 8:15 · 8:20 · 18:9 · 27:6
Psalms	27:14 · 31:25* · 35:2 · 64:6* · 147:13
Proverbs	3:18 · 4:13 · 7:13 · 26:17
Isaiah	4:1 · 22:21 · 27:5 · 28:22 · 33:23 · 35:3 · 35:4 · 39:1 · 41:6 · 41:7 · 41:9 · 41:13 · 42:6 · 45:1 · 51:18 · 54:2 · 54:4 · 56:2 · 56:4 · 56:6 · 64:6*
Jeremiah	5:3 · 6:23 · 6:24 · 8:5 · 8:21 · 10:4 · 20:7 · 23:14 · 31:32 · 49:24 · 50:33 · 50:42 · 50:43 · 51:12 · 52:6
Ezekiel	3:14 · 7:13 · 13:22 · 16:49 · 22:14 · 27:9 · 27:27 · 30:21 · 30:23 · 30:24 · 30:25 · 34:4 · 34:16
Daniel	10:18 · 10:19 · 10:21 · 11:1 · 11:5 · 11:6 · 11:7 · 11:21 · 11:32
Hosea	7:15
Micah	4:9 · 7:18
Nahum	2:2* · 3:14
Haggai	2:4
Zechariah	8:9 · 8:13 · 8:23 · 14:13
Malachi	3:13