אֲחֻזָּה (a.chuz.zah)
a.chuz.zah
possession
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 48 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun aḥuzzah denotes a possession, specifically land or property held by inheritance. Derived from a root meaning to seize or hold fast, it carries the sense of something firmly grasped and retained. In the Old Testament, it appears most frequently in the legal texts of Leviticus and Numbers, where it describes the stable ownership of fields, houses, and burial plots.
A key distinction lies in its connection to family lineage rather than temporary tenure. For instance, Genesis 23:4 records Abraham seeking a "possession of a burying place," highlighting that this term applies to permanent, hereditary rights. Similarly, Leviticus 25 details how land returns to the original family during the Jubilee year, ensuring that an aḥuzzah remains within its ancestral line.
While often translated simply as "possession" or "property," the word emphasizes security and permanence. It is not merely owned; it is held fast against loss. This concept underpins the biblical view of land as a divine gift secured by covenant, distinguishing it from transient rentals or temporary holdings.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word aḥuzzah points to something held fast, a possession secured by inheritance rather than temporary rental. In the ancient world, land was not just an asset but a tangible sign of God’s covenant promise and family identity. When Abraham purchased the cave of Machpelah, he sought a permanent burial place, anchoring his hope in the ground itself.
This concept reminds us that our spiritual inheritance is secure. It is not fleeting or easily lost. Christians understand that through Christ, believers receive an eternal inheritance that no thief can steal and no circumstance can erase. The stability of the land in Israel mirrors the steadfastness of God’s love for His people.
When life feels unstable, this word offers comfort. We are held by a Father who grants us a heritage that endures beyond death. This assurance allows us to live with peace, knowing our true home is kept safe in heaven, just as the patriarchs trusted in the promises given to their descendants.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 48 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- possession/ his8×
- to/ a possession6×
- to/ a possession of5×
- [the] possession of5×
- possession/ your4×
- possession/ their4×
- to/ possession/ his3×
- a possession3×
- a possession of2×
- some of/ possession/ his1×
- possession of1×
- on/ own property/ his1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לַ/אֲחֻזַּת\־4×
- אֲחֻזַּ֥ת4×
- אֲחֻזָּתֽ/וֹ\׃3×
- אֲחֻזַּ֣ת3×
- לַ/אֲחֻזָּתֽ/וֹ\׃2×
- לַ/אֲחֻזָּֽה\׃2×
- לַ/אֲחֻזָּ֑ה2×
- אֲחֻזָּתָ֔/ם2×
- אֲחֻזָּת֔/וֹ2×
- אֲחֻזָּ֔ה2×
- מֵ/אֲחֻזָּת֑/וֹ1×
- מֵ/אֲחֻזַּ֣ת1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 17:8
I will give to you, and to your offspring after you, the land where you are traveling, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession. I will be their God.”
This verse establishes the foundational promise of an everlasting possession, linking land ownership directly to God’s covenant with Abraham and his offspring.
-
Genesis 23:4
“I am a stranger and a foreigner living with you. Give me a possession of a burying-place with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.”
Abraham uses this term to request a permanent burial site, showing that even as a stranger he sought a secure, hereditary foothold in the promised land.
-
Leviticus 25:10
You shall make the fiftieth year holy, and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee to you; and each of you shall return to his own property, and each of you shall return to his family.
The Jubilee proclamation ensures that every family returns to their original aḥuzzah, preventing permanent loss of ancestral heritage and reinforcing social stability.
-
Leviticus 25:34
But the field of the pasture lands of their cities may not be sold, for it is their perpetual possession.
This passage specifies that pasture lands for Levitical cities are a perpetual possession, highlighting the unique legal protection granted to priestly inheritance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does aḥuzzah mean in the Bible?
How is aḥuzzah different from other words for property?
Where does this word appear most frequently?
Why is Abraham’s purchase of a burial place significant?
Every Occurrence (48 verses across 9 books)
Genesis 9 verses
I will give to you, and to your offspring after you, the land where you are traveling, all the land of Canaan, for an…
Genesis 23:4“I am a stranger and a foreigner living with you. Give me a possession of a burying-place with you, that I may bury my…
Genesis 23:9that he may sell me the cave of Machpelah, which he has, which is in the end of his field. For the full price let him…
Genesis 23:20The field, and the cave that is in it, were deeded to Abraham by the children of Heth as a possession for a burial…
Genesis 36:43chief Magdiel, and chief Iram. These are the chiefs of Edom, according to their habitations in the land of their…
Genesis 47:11Joseph placed his father and his brothers, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in…
Genesis 48:4and said to me, ‘Behold, I will make you fruitful, and multiply you, and I will make of you a company of peoples, and…
Genesis 49:30in the cave that is in the field of Machpelah, which is before Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with…
Genesis 50:13for his sons carried him into the land of Canaan, and buried him in the cave of the field of Machpelah, which Abraham…