גְּזֵלָה (ge.ze.lah)
ge.ze.lah
violence
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 gezelah refers to property taken by force, encompassing concepts like plunder, spoil, or robbery. It describes the tangible results of violent theft rather than the abstract concept of injustice itself. In biblical usage, it highlights the material loss suffered by victims when stronger parties seize assets through coercion.
This term appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in Isaiah 61:8. Here, God declares His commitment to justice, promising to recompense those who have been wronged and restore what was stolen. The context emphasizes that such acts of aggression are abhorrent to Him, and He will ensure restitution for the oppressed.
The word underscores the seriousness of economic exploitation in ancient Israelite society. By using a term associated with war booty or criminal theft, the text condemns any form of unjust seizure of another’s livelihood. It serves as a stark reminder that God defends the rights of those whose property has been unlawfully taken.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word gezelah points to a specific kind of wrong: taking what belongs to another by force. In Isaiah, this term describes the tangible loss suffered by those who are vulnerable. It is not just an abstract idea of unfairness, but the reality of empty hands and stolen livelihoods.
God sees this injustice clearly. He does not overlook the seizure of property or the exploitation of the poor. Instead, He promises to bring judgment on those who hoard the plunder of others. This assurance offers comfort to anyone who has felt powerless against stronger forces in life.
Your faith rests in a God who defends the rights of the oppressed. He is committed to restoring what was taken and ensuring that justice prevails. This truth anchors your hope, knowing that no act of violence goes unseen by the Creator.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] plunder of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- גְּזֵלַ֥ת1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 3:14
Yahweh will enter into judgment with the elders of his people and their leaders: “It is you who have eaten up the vineyard. The plunder of the poor is in your houses.
This verse identifies the 'plunder' in the leaders' houses as the direct result of eating up the vineyard, linking their greed to the specific act of gezelah.