WG: Strength / Fortress (Hebrew)
Overview
Hebrew Scripture uses at least five distinct words where English translations render "strength," "might," "rock," or "fortress." These words occupy related but non-overlapping semantic territory. Understanding the differences prevents reading English connotations back into the Hebrew.
Word Group Members
| Strong's |
Word |
Transliteration |
POS |
Occurrences |
Role in Concept |
Library Entry |
| H4581 |
מָעוֹז |
mâʻôwz |
masculine noun |
35 |
Fortified place of refuge; defensive stronghold |
H4581-maowz.md |
| H5797 |
עֹז |
ʻôz |
masculine noun |
91 |
Abstract quality of strength, might, power |
TODO(need H5797 study) |
| H5794 |
עַז |
ʻaz |
adjective |
24 |
Characterizing strength: strong, fierce, bold |
H5794-az.md |
| H3581 |
כֹּחַ |
kôach |
masculine noun |
121 |
Inherent capacity: physical power, vitality, ability |
TODO(need H3581 study) |
| H6697 |
צוּר |
tsûwr |
masculine noun |
74 |
Rock/cliff; God as immovable refuge (also proper noun) |
TODO(need H6697 study) |
Relationships
Shared Roots
- mâʻôwz (H4581), ʻôz (H5797), and ʻaz (H5794) all derive from the root עוז (to be strong). The mâ- prefix of mâʻôwz marks it as a noun of place — "a place of strength" — while ʻôz names the quality itself and ʻaz describes a subject possessing it.
- kôach (H3581) and tsûwr (H6697) are from unrelated roots; they are included as easily-confused words sharing KJV "strength" and "rock" translations with the above group.
Co-occurrence (words appearing in same verses)
| Word A |
Word B |
Shared Verses |
Typical Context |
| mâʻôwz (H4581) |
ʻôz (H5797) |
2 |
Ps 28:8 — "The LORD is strength (ʻôz) to them and a stronghold (mâʻôwz) of saving for his anointed" |
| mâʻôwz (H4581) |
tsûwr (H6697) |
2 |
Ps 31:3 — "thou art my rock (tsûwr) and my fortress (mâʻôwz)" |
| ʻôz (H5797) |
kôach (H3581) |
2 |
Job 26:2 — "without power (kôach)...no strength (ʻôz)" |
| ʻôz (H5797) |
tsûwr (H6697) |
1 |
Ps 62:7 — "the rock (tsûwr) of my strength (ʻôz), my refuge, is in God" |
| ʻaz (H5794) |
kôach (H3581) |
1 |
Gen 49:3 — "my might (kôach)...the excellency of strength (ʻaz)" |
Shared LXX Greek Targets
| Greek |
Strong's |
Hebrew words it renders |
Note |
| ἰσχύς (ischys) |
G2479 |
H3581 (101x), H5797 (30x), H4581 (9x), H5794 (5x) |
Most common Greek equivalent across the group |
| δύναμις (dynamis) |
G1411 |
H5797 (24x), H3581 (13x) |
Power/force — favored for military and national uses |
| βοηθός (boēthos) |
G998 |
H5797 (6x), H6697 (5x) |
Helper, succorer — LXX selects this when divine-refuge sense is prominent |
| δόξα (doxa) |
G1391 |
H5797 (12x), H6697 (6x) |
Glory — LXX occasionally blends strength with honor/majesty |
Roles in the Concept
| Word |
Core Meaning |
When to Use It |
| mâʻôwz (H4581) |
Place of strength: the fortified refuge one enters or God provides |
When the image is a defensive position, a stronghold you retreat to |
| ʻôz (H5797) |
Quality of strength: the might or power a person/God possesses |
When describing inherent strength as a quality or attribute |
| ʻaz (H5794) |
Characterization: strong, fierce, vehement |
Adjectival — describing a subject as characterized by strength |
| kôach (H3581) |
Capacity: the ability or physical force to do something |
When the emphasis is on what the strength enables |
| tsûwr (H6697) |
Rock: immovable foundation; God as stable refuge |
When the imagery is geological — solidity, reliability |
Key Passages Where Multiple Group Words Appear Together
- Ps 28:8 — ʻôz + mâʻôwz: "The LORD is strength (ʻôz) to them and a stronghold (mâʻôwz) of saving for his anointed"
- Ps 31:3 — tsûwr + mâʻôwz: "thou art my rock (tsûwr) and my fortress (mâʻôwz)"
- Ps 62:7 — tsûwr + ʻôz: "the rock (tsûwr) of my strength (ʻôz), and my refuge, is in God"
- Gen 49:3 — kôach + ʻaz: "my might (kôach)...the excellency of strength (ʻaz)"
Generated from: gather_word_group_data.py
Last updated: 2026-04-02