חָזֶה (cha.zeh)
cha.zeh
breast
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 12 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun chazah refers specifically to the breast of an animal, particularly in the context of sacrificial rituals. It appears twelve times in the Hebrew Bible, with a heavy concentration in the priestly codes of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers. In these texts, the term denotes the physical portion of the offering that is set apart for specific handling.
This part of the animal held significant ritual weight. While the fat and certain organs were burned on the altar as a "pleasing aroma" to God, the breast was often designated for the priests. For example, in Leviticus 7:30-34, the breast of the peace offering is waved before the Lord and then given to Aaron and his sons as their portion. This practice established a tangible provision for those serving in the tabernacle.
The word highlights the communal nature of ancient Israelite worship. The sacrifice was not merely a transaction but a shared meal where God received the smoke and fire, and the priests received the meat. By specifying the breast, the law ensured that those who mediated between God and the people were fed from the very offerings brought by the community.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word chazah points to the breast of an animal, a specific part of the sacrifice set apart for those serving in the tabernacle. In ancient Israel, this was not just about food distribution but about sustaining the priests who mediated between God and the people. When the fat was burned on the altar as a pleasing aroma, the breast remained for Aaron and his sons, ensuring they were fed from the community’s offerings.
This practice highlights that worship is a shared act. The sacrifice was more than a transaction; it was a communal meal where God received the smoke and fire, while the priests received the meat. By specifying this portion, the law provided tangible support for those dedicated to religious service, reminding us that caring for those who lead in faith is part of our spiritual responsibility.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 12 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ breast5×
- [the] breast of4×
- the/ breasts2×
- like/ [the] breast of1×
- and/ [the] breast of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חֲזֵ֨ה2×
- חֲזֵ֣ה2×
- כַּ/חֲזֵ֧ה1×
- וַ/חֲזֵ֣ה1×
- הֶֽ/חָזֶה֙1×
- הֶֽ/חָזֶ֗ה1×
- הֶֽ/חָזֶ֔ה1×
- הֶ֣/חָזֶ֔ה1×
- הֶ/חָזֶ֗ה1×
- הֶ/חָז֗וֹת1×
- הֶ/חָז֑וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
Leviticus 7:34
For the waved breast and the heaved thigh I have taken from the children of Israel out of the sacrifices of their peace offerings, and have given them to Aaron the priest and to his sons as their portion forever from the children of Israel.’”
God explicitly declares the waved breast as a permanent portion for Aaron and his sons, establishing the priestly right to this specific part of the peace offering.
-
Exodus 29:26
“You shall take the breast of Aaron’s ram of consecration, and wave it for a wave offering before Yahweh. It shall be your portion.
During the consecration of Aaron, the breast is waved before Yahweh, marking it as holy and designating it as the initial portion for the new high priest.
-
Leviticus 10:14
The waved breast and the heaved thigh you shall eat in a clean place, you, and your sons, and your daughters with you: for they are given as your portion, and your sons’ portion, out of the sacrifices of the peace offerings of the children of Israel.
After the death of Nadab and Abihu, Moses reaffirms that the breast remains a clean portion for Aaron’s surviving family, ensuring their continued provision despite the tragedy.