Original Word: גָּזֵל
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: gazel
Pronunciation: gah-ZAYL
Phonetic Spelling: (gaw-zale')
Definition: Plunder, robbery, violence
Meaning: robbery, plunder

robbery, thing taken away by violence

From gazal; robbery, or (concretely) plunder -- robbery, thing taken away by violence.

see HEBREW gazal

Word Origin
from gazal
Definition
robbery
NASB Translation
denial (1), robbery (4).

גָּזֵל noun [masculine] robbery — absolute גָּזֵל Leviticus 5:21 3t. + Ezekiel 18:18 compare below; construct גֵּזֶל Ecclesiastes 5:7; Ezekiel 18:18 (but compare below); — robbery Leviticus 5:21 (P) Psalm 62:11 ("" עשֶׁק) Isaiah 61:8; = thing plundered, taken as plunder, as plunder, accusative of congnate meaning with verb Ezekiel 22:29 (גָּזַל גָּזֵל); figurative גֵּזֶל משפט = wresting of justice (compare Isaiah 10:2) Ecclesiastes 5:7. — Ezekiel 18:18 has גֵּזֶל אָח, but ᵐ5 Co strike out אח; read then גָּזֵל. — compare Lag^{BN 172}.

Word Origin: Derived from the root verb גָּזַל (gazal), which means "to tear away," "to seize," or "to rob."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • G724 (ἁρπαγή • harpagē): This Greek term is often used in the Septuagint and the New Testament to convey similar concepts of robbery or plunder. It appears in contexts that emphasize the violent or forceful taking of property, akin to the Hebrew גָּזֵל. An example from the New Testament is found in Hebrews 10:34, where believers are commended for joyfully accepting the seizure of their property, knowing they have better and lasting possessions.

In summary, גָּזֵל (gazel) is a term that encapsulates the biblical condemnation of theft and plunder, emphasizing the importance of justice and righteousness in personal and communal relationships.

Usage: The term גָּזֵל is used in the Hebrew Bible to describe acts of theft or plundering, often in the context of social injustice or moral wrongdoing. It is associated with the unlawful taking of property and is condemned as a violation of God's commandments.

Context: • Occurrences in the Hebrew Bible: The term גָּזֵל appears in various contexts, often highlighting the moral and legal implications of theft and robbery. It is used to describe both individual acts of theft and larger-scale plundering by groups or nations.
• Theological Significance: In the biblical narrative, גָּזֵל is not merely a legal issue but a moral one, reflecting the broader theme of justice and righteousness. The prophets frequently denounce robbery as a symptom of societal decay and a departure from covenantal faithfulness. For example, in Ezekiel 22:29, the prophet condemns the leaders of Israel for their acts of robbery and oppression: "The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery. They have oppressed the poor and needy and have exploited the foreign resident without justice."
• Moral and Ethical Implications: The prohibition against גָּזֵל is rooted in the Ten Commandments, specifically the commandment "You shall not steal" (Exodus 20:15). This underscores the importance of respecting others' property and upholding justice and fairness in society.
• Cultural Context: In ancient Israel, property rights were closely tied to one's livelihood and social status. Robbery was seen as a direct attack on an individual's ability to provide for themselves and their family, thus carrying significant social and economic consequences.

בְגָזֵ֔ל בגזל גָּזֵ֑ל גָזֵ֖ל גזל וּבְגָזֵ֪ל ובגזל ḇə·ḡā·zêl ḇəḡāzêl gā·zêl ḡā·zêl gaZel gāzêl ḡāzêl ū·ḇə·ḡā·zêl ūḇəḡāzêl uvegaZel vegaZelInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts