אָזַן (a.zan)
a.zan
to listen
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 31 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb azan describes the physical act of listening, often with a sense of attention or obedience. It appears most frequently in the Psalms and Isaiah, where it calls people to pay close attention to God’s words. The sources note that translators usually render this verb as "give ear" or "hearken," emphasizing an active, focused reception rather than passive hearing.
A notable feature of azan is its use in describing God’s response to prayer. In passages like Psalm 5:2 and Psalm 17:1, the verb conveys that God not only hears but also listens with favor and intent. This usage highlights a relational dynamic where divine attention is directed toward the cries of the faithful.
The word’s root likely relates to the ear (ozen), suggesting an image of pricking up one’s ears to catch a sound. This physical metaphor reinforces the idea that listening requires effort and readiness. In Proverbs 17:4, for example, azan describes how a deceitful person listens with malicious intent, showing that the verb can apply to both righteous and unrighteous motives.
Overall, azan underscores the importance of attentive hearing in biblical thought. It is not merely about auditory perception but involves a willingness to understand and respond. This concept remains central to how Scripture portrays communication between God and humanity.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word azan invites us beyond simple auditory perception into a posture of active attention. It describes pricking up one’s ears to catch a sound with intent, suggesting that true listening requires effort and readiness. In the Psalms, this verb often bridges the gap between human cry and divine response, portraying God as One who does not merely hear noise but listens with favor toward the faithful.
When we encounter azan in Scripture, we are reminded that communication is relational. Whether it is Lamech boasting to his wives or David pleading for justice, the act of listening carries weight. It implies a willingness to understand and respond. This concept encourages us to approach God’s words with similar attentiveness, seeking not just to hear but to engage with what He is saying.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 31 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- give ear to/ !6×
- give ear6×
- and/ give ear4×
- give ear/ !3×
- give ear to3×
- they gave ear2×
- will he give ear to1×
- they give ear1×
- he gave ear to1×
- he gave ear1×
- and/ you will give ear1×
- [is] giving ear1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַאֲזִ֥ינָ/ה4×
- הַאֲזִ֥ינוּ3×
- הַאֲזִ֣ינָ/ה3×
- וְ/הַֽאֲזִ֔ינוּ2×
- הַאְזֵ֖נָּה2×
- מֵ֝זִין1×
- יַאֲזִ֥ין1×
- יַאֲזִ֣ין1×
- יַאֲזִ֑ינוּ1×
- וְ/הַֽאֲזַנְתָּ֙1×
- וְ/הַאֲזִ֣ינִי1×
- וְ/הַאֲזִ֖ינוּ1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 17:1
A Prayer by David. Hear, Yahweh, my righteous plea. Give ear to my prayer that doesn’t go out of deceitful lips.
David uses azan to request that God give ear to his prayer, highlighting a personal plea for divine attention rather than passive hearing.
-
Exodus 15:26
He said, “If you will diligently listen to Yahweh your God’s voice, and will do that which is right in his eyes, and will pay attention to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I am Yahweh who heals you.”
God links listening to obedience, promising healing specifically to those who diligently listen to His voice and keep His statutes.
-
Isaiah 1:2
Hear, heavens, and listen, earth; for Yahweh has spoken: “I have nourished and brought up children and they have rebelled against me.
The prophet calls heaven and earth to listen as Yahweh accuses His children of rebellion, using the word to demand serious attention to divine speech.
-
Deuteronomy 1:45
You returned and wept before Yahweh, but Yahweh didn’t listen to your voice, nor turn his ear to you.
This verse illustrates the consequence of failed listening, where God does not listen to the Israelites' weeping because they refused to heed His earlier words.