Lexical Summary azan: pondered Original Word: אָזַן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance ponder A primitive root (rather identical with 'azan through the idea of scales as if two ears); to weigh, i.e. (figuratively) ponder -- give good head. see HEBREW 'azan NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to weigh, test, prove NASB Translation pondered (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs II. [אָזַן] verb only Pi`el Perfect weigh, test, prove (compare Arabic אזן (√ of following; Biblical Hebrew אזן, מאֹזְנַיִם). Topical Lexicon Root Concept and Semantic Field The triliteral root אָזַן shapes two prominent ideas in the Hebrew canon: the faculty of hearing (“ear,” אֹזֶן) and the instrument of weighing (“scales,” מֹאזְנַיִם). While the verbal form never surfaces in the extant Old Testament text, its derivatives occur frequently and reveal a unified notion of attentive assessment—whether receiving spoken revelation or evaluating moral weight. Derived Forms and Their Distribution • אֹזֶן (ear) appears well over a hundred times, ranging from literal anatomy (Leviticus 8:23) to metaphor for spiritual receptivity (Isaiah 50:5). Together they create a picture of perception and justice: the ear discerns words as the scales discern weight. Theological Themes: Hearing and Obedience Scripture repeatedly links the ear to covenant faithfulness. “Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live” (Isaiah 55:3). The call is not mere acoustics but obedient response. Exodus 21:6 dramatizes lifelong service by piercing the servant’s ear—an emblem of perpetual willingness to hear and obey the master’s voice. Likewise, the oft-repeated cry “He who has an ear, let him hear” (Revelation 2:7) carries the same Hebraic resonance into the New Testament. Judicial Imagery: Scales and Righteousness Scales symbolize Yahweh’s uncompromising standard: “Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight” (Proverbs 11:1). In Daniel 5:27 the Babylonian empire itself is “weighed on the scales and found deficient,” showing that the principle moves from the marketplace to the throne room of world powers. The metaphor plays into eschatology; divine judgment will weigh every deed, a truth consummated at the great white throne (Revelation 20:12). Prophetic and Poetic Usage Psalmists often plead for God to “incline Your ear” (Psalm 17:6; 86:1), confident that He actively listens. Isaiah intensifies the thought by portraying the Servant of the LORD with a disciple’s ear: “The Lord GOD has opened My ear, and I have not been rebellious” (Isaiah 50:5). Thus, faithful Israel—and ultimately Messiah—embody perfect responsiveness. Christological and New Testament Connections The semantic range flows naturally into the Greek ἀκούω (hear) and ζυγός/ζυγός (yoke, balance). Jesus confirms both motifs. He warns against hypocritical hearing (Mark 4:24) and confronts dishonest religious “weights” (Matthew 23:4). At Calvary the righteous scales balanced God’s justice and mercy; Christ bore the infinite weight of sin so believers might be declared righteous. Practical Application for Preaching and Ministry 1. Cultivate a listening posture. Ministry begins with an “opened ear” before issuing proclamations. Intertextual Notes and Key References Leviticus 19:36; Deuteronomy 29:4; 1 Samuel 3:10; Psalm 34:15; Psalm 94:9; Proverbs 20:12, 23; Ecclesiastes 12:11; Isaiah 30:21; Jeremiah 25:4; Ezekiel 40:3; Amos 8:5; Micah 6:11; Matthew 13:16; Acts 28:26-27; James 1:19. Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance tê·zə·lî — 1 Occ.wə·’ō·zêl — 1 Occ. ’ă·zal — 4 Occ. ’ă·zal·nā — 1 Occ. ’ă·za·lū — 1 Occ. ’ê·zel- — 1 Occ. hā·’ā·zel — 1 Occ. ’ā·zîn — 1 Occ. ha·’ă·zî·nāh — 16 Occ. ha·’ă·zî·nū — 8 Occ. he·’ĕ·zîn — 1 Occ. he·’ĕ·zî·nū — 3 Occ. mê·zîn — 1 Occ. wə·ha·’ă·zan·tā — 1 Occ. wə·ha·’ă·zîn — 1 Occ. wə·ha·’ă·zî·nî — 1 Occ. wə·ha·’ă·zî·nū — 3 Occ. wə·’iz·zên — 1 Occ. ya·’ă·zîn — 2 Occ. ya·’ă·zî·nū — 1 Occ. |
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weigh, also Arabic & Aramaic derivatives); וְּאִזֵּן (conj.)