אֲזַל (a.zal)
a.zal
to go
A:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb a.zal simply means to go or to move from one place to another. It appears in only five verses, primarily within the books of Ezra and Daniel. In these contexts, it describes physical movement without adding emotional weight or spiritual significance. For example, it notes when people traveled to Jerusalem or moved through foreign lands.
Unlike more complex Hebrew verbs that might imply fleeing, wandering, or marching with purpose, a.zal is straightforward. It denotes the basic act of going. The sources do not distinguish it from near-synonyms like halak in terms of deep semantic nuance; rather, its rarity makes each occurrence stand out as a simple record of travel.
Its limited use suggests it was not a preferred literary term for narrative flow in these texts. Instead, it serves a functional role, marking where individuals or groups went. Translators typically render it as "went" or "departed," keeping the meaning clear and unadorned. This simplicity allows the reader to focus on the destination or the context of the journey rather than the manner of movement.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word a.zal is a simple verb meaning to go or move from one place to another. It appears only five times in the Bible, mostly in Ezra and Daniel. In these stories, it describes people traveling to Jerusalem or moving through foreign lands. The word does not carry heavy emotional weight or spiritual significance. Instead, it marks physical movement clearly and without decoration.
This simplicity helps readers focus on the destination rather than the manner of travel. For example, in Daniel 2:17, Daniel goes to his house to share a vision with his friends. The word just records that he moved there. It is a functional term used to track where individuals or groups went during important historical moments.
When you read these verses, notice how the text uses this plain language to show action. The focus remains on what happens next, not on the journey itself. This straightforward style allows the narrative to flow smoothly toward its conclusion. It reminds us that God works through simple human actions in history.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- he went2×
- we went1×
- they went1×
- go!1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אֵֽזֶל\־1×
- אֲזַ֨לוּ1×
- אֲזַ֣ל\׀1×
- אֲזַ֜לְנָא1×
- אֲזַ֑ל1×
Key Verses
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Daniel 2:17
Then Daniel went to his house and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:
This verse shows Daniel moving to his home to share a divine revelation with his friends, highlighting the word's use for purposeful personal movement.
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Daniel 2:24
Therefore Daniel went in to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon. He went and said this to him: “Don’t destroy the wise men of Babylon. Bring me in before the king, and I will show to the king the interpretation.”
Here Daniel goes to Arioch to intervene and save the wise men, demonstrating the verb in a context of urgent diplomatic action.
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Ezra 5:8
Be it known to the king that we went into the province of Judah, to the house of the great God, which is being built with great stones and timber is laid in the walls. This work goes on with diligence and prospers in their hands.
The officials state they went into Judah to inspect the temple construction, using the word to record a factual visit for administrative purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word a.zal mean?
Where does this word appear in the Bible?
How is a.zal different from other words for 'go'?
Every Occurrence (5 verses across 2 books)
Ezra 3 verses
Then when the copy of King Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they…
Ezra 5:8Be it known to the king that we went into the province of Judah, to the house of the great God, which is being built…
Ezra 5:15He said to him, ‘Take these vessels, go, put them in the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let God’s house be built in…