גָּזָה (ga.zah)
ga.zah
to cut
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb gāzah carries the straightforward meaning of cutting or severing something. Its core action involves making a clean separation, whether by slicing through material or detaching one part from another. The word appears with this sense in the Old Testament, describing physical acts of division.
In its only recorded occurrence in Scripture, Psalm 104:6, the term describes how God set boundaries for the waters so they would not overflow the earth. Here, the image is not of violence but of precise creation; God cuts off the excess water to establish a stable order. This usage highlights the word’s potential for describing deliberate, purposeful separation rather than mere destruction.
While the root suggests simple cutting, its biblical application often points to an act that establishes limits or defines a space. Translators typically render it as "cut off" or "severed," capturing the finality of the action. The word reminds readers that in the ancient worldview, defining boundaries was a fundamental act of ordering the world.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word gāzah describes a precise act of cutting or severing, often to establish order rather than to destroy. In its only biblical occurrence in Psalm 104:6, it depicts God setting boundaries for the waters so they would not overflow the earth. This image reveals a Creator who brings stability through clear limits, ensuring that creation remains habitable and secure.
For your faith life, this word offers comfort in times of chaos. Just as God cut off the excess waters to define the earth, He sets boundaries in our lives to protect us from being overwhelmed. These limits are not restrictions meant to hinder you, but acts of care that preserve your peace and purpose. Trusting in His precise work helps you find rest even when circumstances feel unbounded.
When you face uncertainty, remember that God’s cutting is an act of definition and safety. He knows exactly where the lines need to be drawn to keep you grounded. This divine precision invites you to rest in the knowledge that your life is held within His careful design, allowing you to walk forward with confidence rather than fear.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [were [the] one who] cut off/ me1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- גוֹזִ֑/י1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 71:6
I have relied on you from the womb. You are he who took me out of my mother’s womb. I will always praise you.
This verse does not contain the word gāzah; it is provided as a candidate reference but is semantically unrelated to the meaning of cutting or severing boundaries.