WG: Strength and Courage
Overview
The Hebrew concept of strength and courage involves a cluster of verbs expressing different facets of being strong, prevailing, and their opposites. These words appear together most prominently in the formulaic "be strong and of good courage" exhortation (Josh 1:6–9, Deut 31:6–7, 1 Chr 28:20).
Word Group Members
| Strong's |
Word |
Transliteration |
POS |
Occurrences |
Role in Concept |
Library Entry |
| H2388 |
חָזַק |
chazaq |
verb |
266v |
Core: seize, be strong, strengthen, harden |
H2388-chazaq.md |
| H553 |
אָמַץ |
ʼamats |
verb |
41v |
Paired synonym: be alert, be courageous |
TODO(need H553 study) |
| H1396 |
גָּבַר |
gabar |
verb |
24v |
Warrior-strength: prevail, be mighty |
H1396-gabar.md |
| H5810 |
עָזַז |
ʻazaz |
verb |
12v |
Fierce strength: be stout, bold |
H5810-azaz.md |
| H2389 |
חָזָק |
chazaq |
adj |
54v |
Adjectival cognate: strong, hard, fierce |
TODO(need H2389 study) |
| H2865 |
חָתַת |
chathath |
verb |
45v |
Antonym: be shattered, dismayed |
TODO(need H2865 study) |
Relationships
Shared Roots
- chazaq verb (H2388) and chazaq adj (H2389) — both from root ח-ז-ק
Co-occurrence (appear in same verses)
| Word A |
Word B |
Shared Verses |
Typical Context |
| H2388 chazaq |
H553 ʼamats |
18v |
"be strong and courageous" formula |
| H2388 chazaq |
H2865 chathath |
5v |
"be strong... be not dismayed" antithesis |
| H553 ʼamats |
H2865 chathath |
5v |
"be courageous... be not dismayed" antithesis |
| H2388 chazaq |
H5810 ʻazaz |
1v |
Prov 7:13 (different senses) |
| H2388 chazaq |
H2389 chazaq adj |
1v |
Ezek 34:16 — strong + strengthen |
LXX Overlaps
| Hebrew Words |
Shared Greek |
Notes |
| H2388 chazaq + H553 ʼamats + H2865 chathath |
ἀνδρίζομαι (G407) — 18+14+5 co-occ |
All three map to "act manly" in LXX |
| H2388 chazaq + H553 ʼamats |
ἰσχύω (G2480) — 23+12 co-occ |
Both map to "have strength" |
| H2388 chazaq + H553 ʼamats + H1396 gabar |
κραταιόω (G2901) — 28+7+5 co-occ |
All three map to "strengthen" |
| H2388 chazaq + H553 ʼamats |
κατισχύω (G2729) — 44+6 co-occ |
Both map to "overpower/prevail" |
Roles in the Concept
- Core exhortation: chazaq (H2388) — broadest range: be strong, seize, strengthen, harden
- Paired courage: ʼamats (H553) — formulaic pair with chazaq: "be strong and courageous"
- Warrior-prevailing: gabar (H1396) — military/combat superiority
- Fierce boldness: ʻazaz (H5810) — stout, impudent strength
- Adjectival description: chazaq (H2389) — characterizing something as strong/hard/fierce
- Antonym (dismay): chathath (H2865) — the negative opposite in the formula: "be not dismayed"
Key Passages Where Multiple Group Words Appear Together
- Josh 1:9 — [H2388 + H553 + H2865] "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed"
- Josh 10:25 — [H2388 + H553 + H2865] "Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage"
- 1 Chr 22:13 — [H2388 + H553 + H2865] "Be strong and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed"
- 1 Chr 28:20 — [H2388 + H553 + H2865] "Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed"
- 2 Chr 32:7 — [H2388 + H553 + H2865] "Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed"
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Last updated: 2026-05-12