אַמְצָה (am.tsah)
am.tsah
strength
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun amtsah denotes strength or power, appearing only once in the Old Testament at Zechariah 12:5. In this specific context, it is used figuratively to describe the resilience God grants to the remnant of Jerusalem during a time of siege.
While the word generally conveys physical or military might, its single occurrence here carries a theological weight that transcends mere human capability. The text suggests that this strength is not inherent but divinely supplied, serving as a source of hope for those who feel overwhelmed by their circumstances.
Translators typically render amtsah as "strength" to maintain consistency with its root meaning, though the context implies a sustained endurance rather than a momentary burst of energy. This rare usage highlights how biblical authors applied common terms for power to describe God's sustaining presence in crisis.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word amtsah appears only once in the Old Testament, found in Zechariah 12:5. It describes a specific kind of strength that the people of Jerusalem would receive from God during a time of siege. This is not human power or military might, but a resilience that comes directly from Yahweh of Armies.
When you feel overwhelmed by your circumstances, this verse offers a quiet hope. Your strength does not have to come from your own abilities or resources. Instead, it can be sustained by God’s presence, giving you the endurance to stand firm when life feels heavy.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [are] strength1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אַמְצָ֥ה1×
Key Verses
-
Zechariah 12:5
The chieftains of Judah will say in their heart, ‘The inhabitants of Jerusalem are my strength in Yahweh of Armies their God.’
The chieftains of Judah recognize that their true security and ability to endure come from God, not their own numbers or weapons.