The Hebrew verb אָחַז (ʾāḥaz) is a common and important root in Biblical Hebrew. It means “to seize,” “to grasp,” or “to take hold of,” and is used in various contexts throughout the Tanakh—from grasping physical objects like weapons and hands to metaphorical uses such as being seized by fear or emotions. It follows standard Qal verb patterns and appears in a wide range of forms. Below is a comprehensive table of its conjugation in past, present, future, imperative, and infinitive forms.
Past Tense (Perfect) – Qal
| Person |
Singular |
Plural |
| 1st |
אָחַזְתִּי (aḥazti) – I seized |
אָחַזְנוּ (aḥaznu) – we seized |
| 2nd m |
אָחַזְתָּ (aḥazta) – you (m) seized |
אָחַזְתֶּם (aḥaztem) – you (m. pl.) seized |
| 2nd f |
אָחַזְתְּ (aḥazt) – you (f) seized |
אָחַזְתֶּן (aḥazten) – you (f. pl.) seized |
| 3rd m |
אָחַז (aḥaz) – he seized |
אָחֲזוּ (aḥazu) – they (m) seized |
| 3rd f |
אָחֲזָה (aḥazah) – she seized |
אָחֲזוּ (aḥazu) – they (f) seized |
Present Tense (Participle) – Qal
| Gender/Number |
Form |
| Masculine Singular |
אֹחֵז (oḥez) – seizing |
| Feminine Singular |
אֹחֶזֶת (oḥezet) – seizing |
| Masculine Plural |
אֹחֲזִים (oḥazim) – seizing |
| Feminine Plural |
אֹחֲזוֹת (oḥazot) – seizing |
Future Tense (Imperfect) – Qal
| Person |
Singular |
Plural |
| 1st |
אֶאֱחֹז (eʾeḥoz) – I will seize |
נֶאֱחֹז (neʾeḥoz) – we will seize |
| 2nd m |
תֶּאֱחֹז (teʾeḥoz) – you (m) will seize |
תֶּאֱחֲזוּ (teʾeḥazu) – you (m. pl.) will seize |
| 2nd f |
תֶּאֱחֲזִי (teʾeḥazi) – you (f) will seize |
תֶּאֱחֲזוּ (teʾeḥazu) – you (f. pl.) will seize |
| 3rd m |
יֶאֱחֹז (yeʾeḥoz) – he will seize |
יֶאֱחֲזוּ (yeʾeḥazu) – they (m) will seize |
| 3rd f |
תֶּאֱחֹז (teʾeḥoz) – she will seize |
תֶּאֱחֲזוּ (teʾeḥazu) – they (f) will seize |
Imperative – Qal
| Person |
Form |
| 2nd m sg |
אֱחֹז (eḥoz) – seize! |
| 2nd f sg |
אֱחֲזִי (eḥazi) – seize! (f.) |
| 2nd m pl |
אֱחֲזוּ (eḥazu) – seize! (m. pl.) |
| 2nd f pl |
אֱחֲזוּ (eḥazu) – seize! (f. pl.) |
Infinitives – Qal
- Infinitive Construct: לֶאֱחֹז (leʾeḥoz) – to seize
- Infinitive Absolute: אֱחֹז (eḥoz) – seizing (emphatic)
The Power of אָחַז in Biblical Usage
The verb אָחַז plays a vivid role in Scripture, portraying action, force, and commitment. From warriors gripping their weapons to the hand of a friend or spouse being held, its usage brings physical and emotional depth to many biblical narratives. It reminds the reader of moments of strength, fear, courage, or intimacy. Its frequency and flexibility make it a fundamental vocabulary item in Biblical Hebrew.
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