עָצָב (a.tsav)
a.tsav
idol
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 16 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Definition
Definition
Brown-Driver-Briggs
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word atsav refers to an idol, a physical representation of a false god. In the ancient world, these were often crafted from silver or gold by skilled hands. The biblical narrative consistently portrays them as lifeless objects, unable to speak, see, or save their worshippers. This stands in sharp contrast to the living God who acts in history and cares for His people.
For your faith today, this word serves as a reminder of where we place our ultimate trust. We may not carve statues from metal, but we often create modern equivalents—priorities or relationships that demand the devotion due only to God. Recognizing these 'idols' helps us return to the simplicity of trusting in Yahweh alone.
Scripture offers hope because God does not just condemn idolatry; He promises to remove it. In Zechariah, we see a future where the names of idols are cut off from the land. This assurance invites you to examine your own heart, releasing any burden that competes for your love, and resting in the freedom of true worship.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 16 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- idols/ their6×
- idols3×
- the/ idols2×
- to/ [the] idols of1×
- images/ its1×
- idols/ its1×
- and/ to/ images/ its1×
- [the] idols of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עֲצַבֵּי/הֶ֖ם2×
- עֲצַבֵּי/הֶ֑ם2×
- עֲצַבִּ֔ים2×
- עֲצַבֶּ֖י/הָ1×
- עֲצַבֶּ֔י/הָ1×
- עֲצַבֵּי/הֶ֔ם1×
- עֲצַבֵּ֣י1×
- עֲצַבִּ֛ים1×
- עֲֽ֭צַבֵּי/הֶם1×
- לַ/עֲצַבֵּ֣י1×
- וְ/לַ/עֲצַבֶּֽי/הָ\׃\ \ס1×
- הָֽ/עֲצַבִּים֙1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 115:4
Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.
This verse defines the idol's nature by contrasting its material composition (silver and gold) with its complete lack of life or agency.
-
Hosea 4:17
Ephraim is joined to idols. Leave him alone!
Here the term describes Ephraim’s spiritual state, showing that attachment to idols leads to divine abandonment rather than blessing.
-
Isaiah 46:1
Bel bows down. Nebo stoops. Their idols are carried by animals, and on the livestock. The things that you carried around are heavy loads, a burden for the weary.
This passage highlights the absurdity of idolatry by depicting gods as heavy burdens carried on animals, unlike Yahweh who bears His people.
-
Zechariah 13:2
It will come to pass in that day, says Yahweh of Armies, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they will be remembered no more. I will also cause the prophets and the spirit of impurity to pass out of the land.
This future promise shows God’s decisive action to erase the memory and influence of idols from the land entirely.