Understanding the Verb אָזַן
The Hebrew verb אָזַן (ʾāzan) is a significant term in the Hebrew Bible, meaning “to listen attentively” or “to give ear.” It differs from the common verb for hearing, שָׁמַע (shāmaʿ), in that אָזַן conveys the sense of careful and deliberate listening. This verb is most frequently used in its Hifil stem (הִאזִין, hē’ĕzīn), which means “to cause to listen” or “to give heed.”
The root א-ז-ן is also associated with the noun אֹזֶן (ʾōzen), meaning “ear,” and the plural form מאֹזְנַיִם (moʾznayim), meaning “balances” or “scales,” suggesting an ancient conceptual link between listening and weighing or measuring.
Biblical Usage of אָזַן
The verb appears primarily in poetic, prophetic, and wisdom literature. It frequently occurs in imperative and Hifil forms, often as a call to attentive listening.
1. Calling for Attention in Prophetic Speech
Prophets frequently use הִאזִין to call for divine or human attention:
- Deuteronomy 32:1 – הַאֲזִינוּ הַשָּׁמַיִם וַאֲדַבֵּרָה וְתִשְׁמַע הָאָרֶץ אִמְרֵי פִי
“Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak; let the earth hear the words of my mouth.” - Isaiah 1:2 – שִׁמְעוּ שָׁמַיִם וְהַאֲזִינִי אֶרֶץ
“Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth!”
2. A Plea for Divine Attention in the Psalms
The Psalms frequently use אָזַן in prayers asking God to listen attentively:
- Psalm 17:6 – הַטֵּה אָזְנְךָ לִי שְׁמַע אִמְרָתִי
“Incline Your ear to me; hear my speech.” - Psalm 49:1 – שִׁמְעוּ זֹאת כָּל הָעַמִּים הַאֲזִינוּ כָּל יֹשְׁבֵי חָלֶד
“Hear this, all peoples; give ear, all inhabitants of the world.”
3. Listening as a Sign of Wisdom
In Job and Proverbs, אָזַן is associated with discernment and wisdom:
- Job 32:11 – הֵ֤ן הֹוחַ֨לְתִּי לְֽדִבְרֵיכֶ֗ם אָ֭זִין עַד־תְּב֥וּנֹֽתֵיכֶ֑ם עַֽד־תַּחְקְר֥וּן מִלִּֽין
“Behold, I waited for your words; I listened to your reasoning while you searched out what to say.” - Proverbs 5:1 – בְּנִי לְחָכְמָתִי הַקְשִׁיבָה לִתְבוּנָתִי הַט־אָזְנְךָ
“My son, be attentive to my wisdom; incline your ear to my understanding.”
Conjugation of אָזַן
Below is the full conjugation of אָזַן in the Qal and Hifil stems. The table is formatted for readability on a web page.
| Tense | Person | Qal (to listen, incline ear) | Hifil (to cause to listen, to make hear) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perfect | 1st Person Singular | אָזַנְתִּי | הִאזַנְתִּי |
| 2nd Person Masculine Singular | אָזַנְתָּ | הִאזַנְתָּ | |
| 3rd Person Masculine Singular | אָזַן | הִאזִין | |
| Imperfect | 1st Person Singular | אָאֲזִין | אַאֲזִין |
| 2nd Person Masculine Singular | תַּאֲזִין | תַּאֲזִין | |
| 3rd Person Masculine Singular | יֹאֲזִין | יַאֲזִין | |
| Imperative | Masculine Singular | אֲזֵן | הַאֲזֵן |
Insights and Thematic Reflections
The verb אָזַן is most often found in the Hifil form, emphasizing the act of making someone listen or calling for deep attention. It plays a significant role in prophetic speech, prayer, and wisdom literature, illustrating the biblical concept that true understanding comes from active, intentional listening.
Several key themes emerge from its usage:
- Prophetic Authority: The verb frequently introduces divine messages, demanding careful hearing.
- Prayer and Petition: The Psalms use it to appeal to God, highlighting dependence on divine attention.
- Wisdom and Discernment: Proverbs and Job associate listening with acquiring true understanding.
The connection between listening and measuring (through the noun מאֹזְנַיִם, “balances”) also suggests an ancient worldview where careful listening was akin to weighing truth and making just decisions.
By examining its occurrences, we gain deeper insight into biblical communication—where listening is not passive but an active, engaged process that leads to wisdom and understanding.
