Original Word: חָזְקָה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: chozqah
Pronunciation: khoz-KAH
Phonetic Spelling: (khoz-kaw')
KJV: force, mightily, repair, sharply
NASB: force, earnestly, severely, vigorously
Word Origin: [feminine of H2392 (חוֹזֶק - powerful)]

1. vehemence (usually in a bad sense)

force, mightily, repair, sharply

Feminine of chozeq; vehemence (usually in a bad sense) -- force, mightily, repair, sharply.

see HEBREW chozeq

Word Origin
fem. of chozeq
Definition
strength, force, violence
NASB Translation
earnestly (1), force (2), severely (1), vigorously (1).

חָזְקָה noun feminine strength, force, violence, always בְּחָזְקָה with strength, force, etc.; —

1 of oppression Judges 4:3 forcibly, violently; capture by force 1 Samuel 2:16; Ezekiel 34:4 of ruling וּבְמָּ֑רֶךְ ׳בְּח with force and with rigour.

2 rebuke severely, sharply Judges 8:1; cry mightily, insistently Jonah 3:8. — לֲחָזְקָה 2 Kings 12:13 see חָזַק

Qal Infinitive

Overview of the Word

חָזְקָה (chazqah) appears six times in the Old Testament, always connected with the exertion of power—whether oppressive, constructive, or repentant. The term does not describe mere potential strength but the active application of might in a way that changes circumstances for good or ill.

Spectrum of Meaning in Context

1. Harsh Domination
• Judges 4:3 records Jabin king of Canaan who “oppressed the Israelites harshly for twenty years.” The word underlines the cruel, relentless pressure of pagan rule and sets the stage for divine intervention through Deborah and Barak.
• Ezekiel 34:4 rebukes Israel’s shepherds who “ruled them with violence and force,” exposing the abuse of authority in spiritual leadership.

2. Assertive Coercion
• In 1 Samuel 2:16 the sons of Eli threaten worshipers: “If you refuse, I will take it by force.” Their misuse of priestly privilege becomes a key proof of their unfitness and invites judgment.
• Judges 8:1 shows a more neutral sense: the Ephraimites protest to Gideon, “What is this thing you have done to us, not calling us when you went to fight Midian?” Their “strong protest” testifies to regional tensions even among God’s people.

3. Structural Fortification
• 2 Kings 12:12 channels the term toward restoration: funds are given “to buy timber and dressed stone for the repairs on the house of the LORD.” Here chazqah highlights the strengthening of sacred space, portraying might as a resource for covenant renewal.

4. Violent Injustice Renounced
• Jonah 3:8 cites the Ninevites’ repentance: “Let each one turn from his evil way and from the violence in his hands.” The word captures systemic brutality now surrendered under the fear of impending judgment, demonstrating that even Gentile power must bow to divine righteousness.

Narrative and Theological Observations

• Contrast between human pressure and divine deliverance. Where chazqah describes tyranny (Judges 4:3; Ezekiel 34:4), the surrounding narratives emphasize the LORD’s timely rescue, affirming that God hears the cry of the oppressed.
• Accountability of leadership. Whether corrupt priests (1 Samuel 2) or negligent shepherds (Ezekiel 34), leaders who wield strength unrighteously become objects of prophetic censure, underscoring God’s concern for justice within His covenant community.
• Sanctified might. In 2 Kings 12, physical strengthening of the temple illustrates how power, resources, and skill can be consecrated to preserve true worship.
• Repentance overturns violence. Jonah 3:8 offers hope that God’s warning can transform societal force into humble submission, prefiguring the wider gospel call for all nations.

Historical Setting

The occurrences span the period of the Judges, early monarchy, divided kingdom, exilic prophecy, and post-exilic prophetic narrative. This breadth demonstrates that the misuse and proper use of strength are perennial issues in Israel’s history, not limited to one era or political structure.

Ministry Implications

• Pastoral care: Ezekiel’s indictment urges modern shepherds to exchange coercive leadership for sacrificial service, following the model of the Good Shepherd.
• Social justice: Jonah’s depiction of Nineveh commends corporate repentance from institutionalized violence, informing contemporary calls to righteousness in civil society.
• Worship renewal: Joash’s temple repairs remind churches that financial and practical strength should be focused on maintaining and enhancing the place and practice of worship.
• Personal examination: Believers are challenged to consider whether their own “hand” wields influence harshly or constructively, aligning their strength with the character of Christ.

Christological Foreshadowing

Chazqah often portrays strength corrupted by sin; its negative contexts heighten the contrast with Messiah, who possesses infinite power yet exercises it in meekness (Matthew 11:29) and self-giving love (Philippians 2:5-8). In Him, strength is perfected not in oppression but in redemptive sacrifice.

Key Passages for Study

Judges 4:3

Judges 8:1

1 Samuel 2:16

2 Kings 12:12

Ezekiel 34:4

Jonah 3:8

בְּחָזְקָ֑ה בְּחָזְקָ֖ה בְּחָזְקָֽה׃ בְחָזְקָֽה׃ בחזקה בחזקה׃ וּבְחָזְקָ֛ה ובחזקה לְחָזְקָֽה׃ לחזקה׃ bə·ḥā·zə·qāh ḇə·ḥā·zə·qāh bechazeKah bəḥāzəqāh ḇəḥāzəqāh lə·ḥā·zə·qāh lechazeKah ləḥāzəqāh ū·ḇə·ḥā·zə·qāh ūḇəḥāzəqāh uvechazeKah vechazeKahInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts