עַצֶּ֫בֶת (ats.tse.vet)
ats.tse.vet
injury
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun atstsevet refers to physical injury, pain, or sorrow. It appears in five verses across Psalms, Proverbs, and Job, capturing both the immediate sensation of hurt and the lasting impact of trauma.
Its meaning spans from a literal wound to emotional distress. In Proverbs 15:30, light to the eyes brings joy to the bones, contrasting with the "injury" that comes from deceitful messages. This suggests atstsevet is not just physical damage but a holistic disruption of well-being.
The word’s root relates to being broken or crushed, emphasizing the severity of the harm. Translators often render it as "hurt" or "pain," reflecting its dual nature as both bodily and emotional suffering. This usage highlights how ancient Hebrew thought did not separate physical and psychological distress.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word atstsevet describes injury in its fullest sense, covering both physical wounds and deep emotional sorrow. It reminds us that hurt is not just a surface-level issue but something that can affect our entire being. When we face pain or trauma, this word acknowledges the reality of our suffering without minimizing it.
In Proverbs 10:10, we see how deceitful actions cause sorrow, showing that relationships can be sources of injury as well as healing. This insight helps us understand why trust and honesty matter so much in our interactions with others. It also points to the importance of seeking peace rather than causing harm.
Psalm 147:3 offers hope by describing God as one who heals the brokenhearted and binds up wounds. This promise extends beyond physical healing to include emotional restoration, reminding us that no injury is too great for divine care. We can find comfort in knowing that our pain is seen and valued.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- sorrows/ their1×
- sorrow1×
- pains/ my1×
- and/ by/ sorrow of1×
- <to>/ wounds/ their1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עַצָּ֑בֶת1×
- עַצְּבוֹתָ/ם֮1×
- עַצְּבֹתָ֑/י1×
- לְ/עַצְּבוֹתָֽ/ם\׃1×
- וּ/בְ/עַצְּבַת\־1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 147:3
He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds.
This verse highlights God's role as healer of both emotional brokenness and physical wounds, showing the holistic nature of atstsevet.
-
Proverbs 10:10
One who winks with the eye causes sorrow, but a chattering fool will fall.
Here, the word illustrates how deceitful behavior causes sorrow, emphasizing the relational impact of injury.
-
Job 9:28
I am afraid of all my sorrows. I know that you will not hold me innocent.
The term appears in Job's expression of fear over his sorrows, reflecting the weight of suffering and its psychological toll.