עָזַר (a.zar)
a.zar
to help
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 65 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb `azar` means to help, succor, or support someone in need. Its primary sense involves surrounding a person to provide protection and aid, suggesting that true assistance is active and defensive rather than passive. This root appears 65 times in the Old Testament, with significant usage in Psalms, Isaiah, and the historical books like Chronicles.
A key distinction lies in its grammatical forms. The Qal stem describes one who helps, often used of human allies or God Himself. For example, Psalm 118:6 declares, "The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can mere mortals do to me?" while the Niphal form indicates being helped, as seen in Psalm 28:7 where David says, "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me." This passive usage highlights that human strength often relies on divine intervention.
The word carries theological weight by contrasting human weakness with divine reliability. In Isaiah 41:10, God promises, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you." The verb `azar` thus serves as a cornerstone of biblical assurance, portraying God not merely as an observer but as an active participant who surrounds and sustains His people in times of trouble.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word azar carries a vivid picture of help. It does not mean a distant suggestion or a passive wish for someone’s success. Instead, it describes standing close to another person, surrounding them with strength when they are under pressure. This active support is the very nature of God’s care for His people.
In Psalm 118:6, the writer declares that the Lord is on his side, which removes the power of fear. When life feels overwhelming, this promise reminds us that we do not face our struggles alone. God steps in to strengthen and sustain us, turning our weakness into a place where His reliability shines.
This assurance invites you to rest in His presence rather than striving in your own strength. You can bring your heavy burdens to Him, knowing He is ready to act on your behalf. May you feel the peace of being held by One who never fails to help.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 65 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to/ help9×
- a helper6×
- [was] a helper3×
- I will help/ you3×
- to/ help/ us2×
- help/ me2×
- he helps2×
- you have helped/ me1×
- you have helped1×
- to/ help/ me1×
- to/ be helped1×
- they will help1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עֹזֵ֥ר3×
- עוֹזֵר֙2×
- עָזְר֥וּ2×
- לַ/עְזֹ֥ר2×
- לַ/עְזֹ֖ר2×
- לְ/עָזְרֵ֑/נִי2×
- יַעְזֹ֑רוּ2×
- יַֽעֲזָר\־2×
- עוֹזֵֽר\׃1×
- עוֹזֵ֖ר1×
- עֹזֵֽר\׃1×
- עֹזֵ֣ר1×
Key Verses
-
Joshua 10:6
The men of Gibeon sent to Joshua at the camp at Gilgal, saying, “Don’t abandon your servants! Come up to us quickly and save us! Help us; for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the hill country have gathered together against us.”
The Gibeonites use this term when asking for urgent military aid, showing its application in desperate crisis situations.
-
I Samuel 7:12
Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, “Yahweh helped us until now.”
Samuel names a stone Ebenezer to mark the specific moment Yahweh provided help up to that point in history.
-
II Chronicles 20:23
For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir to utterly kill and destroy them. When they had finished the inhabitants of Seir, everyone helped to destroy each other.
This passage illustrates God helping His people by causing their enemies to turn on each other without direct military intervention.