What does חָזַק · אָמַץ mean in the Bible?
חָזַק · אָמַץ is a Hebrew phrase meaning "Be strong and courageous — the succession commissioning formula".
Hebrew · H2388, H553
חֲזַק וֶאֱמַץ
To fasten upon; hence, to seize , be strong (figuratively, courageous , causatively strengthen , cure , help , repair , fortify ), obstinate ; to bind , restrain , conquer · to be alert , physically (on foot) or mentally (in courage)
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through the Connect page. Screenshots are helpful.
Words in this compound — expand to study each participant
חָזַק H2388 to fasten upon; hence, to seize , be strong (figuratively, courageous , causatively strengthen , cure , help , repair , fortify ), obstinate ; to bind , restrain , conquer
Pronunciation chazaq
Physical grasping that extends metaphorically to moral/spiritual strength, courage, and God's covenantal grip on His people.
Open lexicon entry →
אָמַץ H553 to be alert , physically (on foot) or mentally (in courage)
Pronunciation ʾāmaṣ
Courage manifests as steadfast inner strength to act decisively; God uses this term to fortify human resolve in covenant contexts.
Open lexicon entry →
What does חֲזַק וֶאֱמַץ (chazaq ve-emats) mean in the Bible?
חָזַק · אָמַץ is a Hebrew phrase meaning "Be strong and courageous — the succession commissioning formula".
Full entry for חֲזַק וֶאֱמַץ (H2388, H553) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How many biblical occurrences are listed for H2388, H553?
H2388, H553 is connected to 331 lexical occurrence verses in the lexicon data.
Evidence Summary
Hebrew phrase. Be strong and courageous — the succession commissioning formula
Source Gloss
Be strong and courageous — the succession commissioning formula
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups 4 Aligned forms 158
Hiphil causative active — the subject causes someone else to perform the action 71×
Perfect 2Chr 26:8 · Judg 7:8 · Mic 7:18 · Neh 3:4 · Neh 3:7 · Neh 3:8 · Neh 3:9 · Neh 3:10 · Neh 3:11 · Neh 3:12 · Neh 3:13 · Neh 3:14 · Neh 3:15 · Neh 3:16 · Neh 3:17 · Neh 3:20 44×
Participle active 2Chr 4:5 · Exod 9:2 · Ezek 27:9 · Ezek 27:27 · Isa 41:13 · Isa 51:18 · Job 2:3 · Job 2:9 · Neh 4:10 · Neh 4:11 · Neh 4:15 · Neh 10:30 · Prov 26:17 13×
Imperfect Isa 27:5 · Isa 56:2 · Job 8:15 · Job 8:20 · Job 18:9 · Dan 11:32 · Jer 6:23 · Jer 50:42 · Zech 8:23 9×
Sequential imperfect 2Sam 11:25 · Prov 4:13 · Ps 35:2 · Jer 51:12 · Nah 3:14 5×
Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense 54×
Sequential imperfect 1Chr 19:13 · 1Chr 22:13 · 1Chr 28:10 · 1Chr 28:20 · 2Chr 25:8 · 2Sam 10:12 · Dan 10:19 · Deut 12:23 · Deut 31:7 · Deut 31:23 · Ezra 10:4 · Hag 2:4 · Isa 41:6 · Josh 1:6 · Josh 1:7 · Josh 1:9 26×
Imperfect 1Chr 19:12 · 2Chr 31:4 · 2Sam 10:11 · Isa 28:22 · Ezek 22:14 · Judg 7:11 · Zech 8:13 · 1Kgs 20:23 · 1Kgs 20:25 · Deut 11:8 · Ezra 9:12 · 1Chr 28:7 14×
Perfect 1Chr 21:4 · 2Chr 26:15 · 2Kgs 3:26 · Gen 41:57 · Gen 47:20 · Judg 1:28 · 1Kgs 20:23 · Josh 17:13 · Mal 3:13 · 2Chr 25:3 · 2Kgs 14:5 · Ezek 3:14 12×
Jussive 2Sam 2:7 · Zech 8:9 2×
Hithpael reflexive or reciprocal — the subject acts on itself or mutually with others 11×
Perfect 2Chr 13:7 · 2Chr 15:8 · 2Chr 23:1 · 2Chr 25:11 · Dan 10:19 · Ezra 7:28 6×
Participle active 2Sam 3:6 · Dan 10:21 2×
Sequential imperfect 1Kgs 20:22 · 1Sam 4:9 2×
Imperfect Ezek 7:13 1×
Piel intensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action 22×
Perfect 2Kgs 12:7 · Ezra 1:6 · Jer 5:3 · Judg 9:24 · Ezek 34:4 · Hos 7:15 · Ps 147:13 7×
Imperfect 2Kgs 12:6 · Isa 33:23 · Ps 64:6 · Exod 4:21 · Ezek 34:16 · Job 4:3 6×
Sequential imperfect Deut 1:38 · Nah 2:2 · Neh 6:9 · Isa 54:2 · Nah 3:14 · Isa 35:3 6×
Participle active 2Kgs 12:8 · Exod 14:17 2×
Infinitive construct 2Kgs 12:9 1×
Word Origins
חֲזַק וֶאֱמַץ is a primitive root - no further derivation.
Sources
MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0
Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) source-word alignment - CC0 Public Domain