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עוּץ (uts)

uts

to plan

H5779 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 2 verses

H:V

Quick Reference

Language
Biblical Hebrew
Testament
Old Testament
Occurrences
2 verses
Root
—
Part of speech
H:V

Word Overview

The Hebrew verb uts means to plan or devise a course of action. It appears only twice in the Old Testament, both times in contexts of strategic deliberation rather than casual thought. In Judges 20:19, the tribes of Israel gather and plan their military movement against Benjamin, showing the word’s association with organized, collective decision-making.

In Isaiah 32:5, it describes the wise person who devises sound counsel. This usage highlights that uts is not merely about having ideas, but about formulating practical, effective strategies. The term carries a sense of intentionality and foresight, distinguishing it from spontaneous reactions or idle speculation.

Its rarity in Scripture suggests it was reserved for significant moments where careful planning was crucial. Whether in military campaigns or wise governance, uts underscores the value of thoughtful preparation and deliberate action in achieving desired outcomes.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The Hebrew word uts means to plan or devise a course of action. It appears only twice in the Old Testament, both times in contexts of strategic deliberation rather than casual thought. In Judges 20:19, the tribes of Israel gather and plan their military movement against Benjamin, showing the word’s association with organized, collective decision-making. In Isaiah 32:5, it describes the wise person who devises sound counsel. This usage highlights that uts is not merely about having ideas, but about formulating practical, effective strategies. The term carries a sense of intentionality and foresight, distinguishing it from spontaneous reactions or idle speculation.

Its rarity in Scripture suggests it was reserved for significant moments where careful planning was crucial. Whether in military campaigns or wise governance, uts underscores the value of thoughtful preparation and deliberate action in achieving desired outcomes. This invites us to consider how we approach our own challenges with similar intentionality.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • take counsel1×
  • plan1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • עֻ֥צוּ2×

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Hebrew word uts mean?

Uts means to plan, devise, or formulate a course of action. It is used in the Old Testament to describe strategic deliberation rather than casual thought or spontaneous reaction.

Where does uts appear in the Bible?

It appears only twice: in Judges 20:19, where Israel plans a military campaign, and in Isaiah 32:5, where it describes the wise person who devises sound counsel.

How is uts different from other words for thinking?

Unlike general terms for thought, uts specifically implies intentionality and foresight. It is reserved for significant moments requiring careful preparation and deliberate action to achieve a specific outcome.

Every Occurrence (2 verses across 2 books)