Abarim Publications' online Biblical Hebrew Dictionary
חזק
The verb חזק (hazaq), meaning to be or become firm, strong or courageous, is often used to admonish soldiers to be strong (1 Kings 20:23, 2 Samuel 10:12), but it may also be used to indicate a 'strong' or severe famine (Genesis 41:56). The enigmatic 'hardening' of Pharaoh's heart is reflected by this verb (Exodus 7:13), as is the 'making sure' that no blood remains in meat for consumption (Deuteronomy 12:23). This verb is used 291 times in the Bible.
This verb's derivatives are:
- The adjective חזק (hazaq), meaning strong (Numbers 13:18), Isaiah 40:10.
- The feminine noun חזקה (hezqa), meaning strength (Ezekiel 3:14, 2 Chronicles 12:1). Once the masculine version of this noun, namely חזק (hezeq), is used: Psalm 18:1.
- The quite similar masculine noun חזק (hozeq), meaning strength (Exodus 13:3, Amos 6:13).
- The feminine version of the previous noun: חזקה (hozqa), meaning force or violence; of oppression (Judges 4:3, Ezekiel 34:4), of rebuke (Judges 8:1, Jonah 3:8).