Original Word: אֹזֶן
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: ozen
Pronunciation: OH-zen
Phonetic Spelling: (o'-zen)
KJV: + advertise, audience, + displease, ear, hearing, + show
NASB: ear, ears, hearing, attentive, closely
Word Origin: [from H238 (אָזַן - give ear)]

1. broadness
2. (concretely) the ear (from its form in man)

advertise, audience, displease, ear, hearing, show

From 'azan; broadness. I.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man) -- + advertise, audience, + displease, ear, hearing, + show.

see HEBREW 'azan

Word Origin
from an unused word
Definition
an ear
NASB Translation
attentive (1), closely (1), ear (60), ears (58), hear* (2), hearing (39), inform* (1), known* (2), recite* (1), reported* (1), reveal* (1), revealed* (2), revelation* (1).

אֹ֫זֶן₁₈₈ noun feminine: Exodus 29:20 ear (Arabic , Aramaic , אוּדְנָא, Assyrian uznu, Ethiopic ) — absolute 2 Samuel 22:45 +; construct Exodus 29:20 +; suffix אָזְנִי 1 Samuel 20:2 +, etc.; dual אָזְנַיִם (נָ֑יִם) Deuteronomy 29:3 +; construct אָזְנֵי Genesis 23:10 +; suffix אָזְנַי (נָֿ֑י) Numbers 14:28 +; (never with article). —

1 ear, as part of body; of human being, as bearing earring Genesis 35:4; Exodus 32:2,3(all J E) Ezekiel 16:12; pierced by a master Exodus 21:6 (E) Deuteronomy 15:17; touched with blood in consecration (׳תְּנוּךְ א tip of ear) Leviticus 8:23,24; Leviticus 14:14,17,25,28; cut off by enemy Ezekiel 23:25 (of אָהֳלִיבָה q. v.); ear of dog Proverbs 26:17 מַחֲזִיק בְּאָזְנֵיכָּֿ֑לֶב; of sheep Amos 3:12 (fragment rescued from lion).

2 especially as organ of hearing,

a. of man Deuteronomy 29:3; 2 Samuel 22:45 = Psalm 18:45; Job 42:5; Isaiah 30:21; implanted (נטע) by ׳י Psalm 94:9; of idols (do not hear) Psalm 115:6; Psalm 135:17; ׳שָׁמַע בא 2 Samuel 7:22 8t.; especially ׳בְּא after verb of saying = in the ears, in the hearing of Genesis 20:8 (E) Genesis 23:10,13,16 (P) Genesis 44:18; Genesis 50:4 (J) Deuteronomy 5:1; Deuteronomy 31:11,28,30 44t.; compare Isaiah 5:9 (verb omitted); after noun of utterance, sound 1 Samuel 15:14; Job 13:17; Job 15:21; compare ׳א after verbal noun Ezekiel 24:26 (׳לְהַשְׁמָעוּת א) compare Isaiah 11:3; ׳הִטָּה א incline the ear = give attention Psalm 45:11; Proverbs 22:17 9t.; followed by ל Psalm 49:5 4t.; so ׳הִקְשִׁיב א Isaiah 32:3; Proverbs 2:2 (followed by ל); ׳ל ׳הֵבִיא א Proverbs 23:2; as receiving words תָּקַּח ׳א Job 4:12 compare Jeremiah 9:19; as tingling (צלל) at dreadful news 1 Samuel 3:11; 2 Kings 21:12; Jeremiah 19:3; as hearing with satisfaction, triumph Psalm 92:12 תִּשְׁמַעְנָה אָזְנָי֑ ("" ׳וַתַּבֵּט עֵינִי בְּ but Che strike out; as intelligent (involving mental process) וַתָּבֶן לָהּ ׳שָֽׁמְעָה א Job 13:1; מִלִּין תִּבְחָ֑ן ׳א Job 12:11; compare Job 34:3; as unsatisfied Ecclesiastes 1:8 מִשְּׁמֹעַ ׳לֹא תִמָּלֵא א; as seeking (בקשׁ) know-ledge Proverbs 18:15; as hearing & blessing Job 29:11; compare שֹׁמַעַת ׳א Proverbs 20:12; Proverbs 25:12 a hearing (responsive, obedient) ear; compare Proverbs 15:31; Isaiah 43:8; opposed to stopping the ears (wilful ignorance) מִןֿ ׳אֹטֵם א Proverbs 21:13 cf Isaiah 33:15; also of adder in simile of wicked Psalm 58:5 כְּמוֺ פֶתֶן חֵרֵשׁ יַאְטֵם אָזְנוֺ; מִןֿ ׳מֵסִיר א Proverbs 28:9 so ׳עֲרֵלָה א their ear is uncircumcised Jeremiah 6:10; ׳הִכְּבִּיד א Zechariah 7:11 compare Isaiah 48:8; Jeremiah 5:21; Ezekiel 12:2; compare also Isaiah 42:20.

b. of Yahweh, ׳י ׳בְּא after verb of utterance Numbers 11:18 (J) Numbers 14:28 (P) 1 Samuel 8:21; Ezekiel 8:18; after עָלָה 2 Kings 19:28 = Isaiah 37:29; after בּוֺא Psalm 18:7 compare 2 Samuel 22:7 where verb omitted; so also (after noun without verb) Numbers 11:1 (J) ׳י ׳בְּא 1 Chronicles 28:8 nearly = in presence of; incline the ear ׳הִטָּה א 2 Kings 19:16 = Isaiah 37:17; Daniel 9:18; Psalm 86:1; followed by לְ Psalm 17:6; Psalm 88:3; Psalm 116:2; followed by אֶלֿ Psalm 31:3; Psalm 71:2; Psalm 102:3; ׳הִקְשִׁיב א Psalm 10:17; ׳קַשֻּׁבוֺת לְ א2Chronicles 6:40; 7:15; compare Psalm 130:2; id. followed by אֶלֿ Nehemiah 1:6,11; verb omitted אֶלֿ ׳א Psalm 34:16; compare Isaiah 59:1 ׳לֹא כָֽבְדָה א; Lamentations 3:56 ׳ל ׳אַלתַּֿעְלֵם א.

3 ׳גָּלָה אopen ears of, reveal to, subject man 1 Samuel 20:2,12,13; 1 Samuel 22:8 (twice in verse); 1 Samuel 22:17; Ruth 4:4; subject ׳י 1 Samuel 9:15; 2 Samuel 7:27; 1 Chronicles 17:25; לְמוּסָר ׳א ׳גּ Job 36:10, compare Job 36:15; ׳כָּרָה א Psalm 40:7; לִשְׁמֹעַ ׳יָעִירלִי א Isaiah 50:4; ׳מָּתַחלִֿי א Isaiah 50:5; compare חֵרְשִׁים תִּמָּתַחְנָה ׳וְא Isaiah 35:5 opposed to judicial deafness Micah 7:16; Isaiah 6:10.

Created for Hearing and Obedience

From Genesis to Zechariah the ear (ʼōzen) is consistently presented as a purposeful creation of God. “He who planted the ear, does He not hear?” (Psalm 94:9) grounds human hearing in the divine character and makes every use of the organ morally significant. Proverbs 20:12 ties the sensory gift directly to the Creator: “Ears that hear and eyes that see—the LORD has made them both.” Hearing, therefore, carries with it the obligation to respond to God’s self-revelation.

Gateway of the Covenant Word

Israel’s relationship with the LORD begins and is sustained through hearing. The repeated summons of Moses—“Hear, O Israel” (Deuteronomy 5:1; 6:4)—underscores that covenant obedience is rooted in attentive listening. When Moses reads the Law, he does so “in the hearing of all the assembly” (Deuteronomy 31:11), so that the Word may enter every ear and shape the nation’s life.

Metaphor for Spiritual Perception

Because the physical ear is the doorway to truth, Scripture uses it as a metaphor for inward responsiveness. The righteous man prays, “Incline Your ear to me” (Psalm 71:2), confident that the God who formed the ear will hear. Conversely, rebellion is diagnosed as deafness: “Their ears are closed, so they cannot hear” (Jeremiah 6:10). Isaiah’s commission heightens the contrast—“Make the hearts of this people dull, their ears heavy” (Isaiah 6:10)—revealing that judgment can involve the withdrawal of the very capacity to perceive divine truth.

Consecration of Ear in Priestly Service

When Aaron and his sons are ordained, Moses applies sacrificial blood to the right ear lobe, thumb, and big toe (Leviticus 8:23-24). The ear is marked first, teaching that priests must listen before they act or walk. A similar pattern appears in the cleansing of a leper (Leviticus 14:14-17): blood and then oil are placed on the right ear, signifying restored fellowship and the Spirit-empowered ability to obey.

Servanthood and the Pierced Ear

The ear becomes a sign of voluntary lifelong service. If a Hebrew servant declares, “I love my master… I do not want to go free,” the master “shall pierce his ear with an awl” at the doorway (Exodus 21:5-6; Deuteronomy 15:17). The opened flesh seals the servant’s perpetual readiness to hear and obey one voice alone. Psalm 40:6 echoes the imagery: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but You opened my ears,” foreshadowing the perfect obedience of the Messiah (compare Hebrews 10:5-7).

Tokens of Devotion and Idolatry

Earrings can be gifts of covenant loyalty or symbols of false worship. Jacob buries “the earrings in their ears” with the idols at Shechem (Genesis 35:4), renouncing divided allegiance. Conversely, the prophet Ezekiel recalls the Lord adorning Jerusalem: “I put a ring in your nose, earrings in your ears” (Ezekiel 16:12), portraying bridal devotion that later turns to infidelity.

Tingling Ears and Prophetic Judgment

The phrase “both ears of everyone who hears it will tingle” marks oracles of shocking judgment (1 Samuel 3:11; 2 Kings 21:12; Jeremiah 19:3). The physical reaction—a sharp ring in the ear—mirrors the moral jolt of God’s verdict. What has entered the ear cannot be unheard, leaving the hearer accountable.

Corporate Hearing in Public Worship

National events are frequently conducted “in the ears” of the people (Exodus 17:14; Joshua 20:4). Kings and prophets read, proclaim, or pray aloud to ensure communal responsibility. Hezekiah spreads Sennacherib’s letter before the LORD and pleads, “Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear” (2 Kings 19:16), inviting the entire nation to share in the petition.

Wisdom Literature: Testing Words and Receiving Counsel

Job observes, “Does not the ear test words as the palate tastes food?” (Job 12:11). The ear’s discernment is crucial for separating wisdom from folly (Proverbs 18:15; 23:12). Failure to heed counsel is depicted as closing the ear: “Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered” (Proverbs 21:13).

Hope for the Deaf

Prophetic promise reverses the curse of deafness: “Then the ears of the deaf will be unstopped” (Isaiah 35:5). Eschatological blessing culminates in universal hearing of the Word, anticipating the ministry of Jesus Christ, who repeatedly calls, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Practical Ministry Implications

1. Preaching and Teaching: Faith rests on God-given hearing (Romans 10:17). Ministers must rely on the Spirit to open ears, modeling the Lord’s daily awakening of the Servant’s ear (Isaiah 50:4-5).
2. Pastoral Care: Listening reflects the character of the Shepherd who hears His flock. Effective ministry begins with an “inclined ear” toward both God’s Word and God’s people.
3. Worship: The pattern of blood then oil on the priestly ear urges believers first to be cleansed by Christ’s sacrifice, then filled with the Spirit, so that worship is responsive rather than perfunctory.
4. Discipleship: The pierced-ear servant challenges modern disciples to embrace lifelong, joyful obedience. Hearing God’s voice is not preliminary to freedom but the essence of true freedom.
5. Social Justice: Proverbs warns that shutting one’s ears to the needy leads to unanswered prayer. Active listening becomes a test of genuine righteousness.

Representative References

Genesis 20:8; Genesis 35:4

Exodus 15:26; Exodus 21:5-6

Leviticus 8:23-24; Leviticus 14:14-17

Deuteronomy 5:1; Deuteronomy 29:4

1 Samuel 3:11

2 Samuel 22:7

2 Kings 19:16

Job 12:11

Psalm 40:6; Psalm 94:9

Proverbs 20:12; Proverbs 21:13

Isaiah 35:5; Isaiah 50:4-5; Isaiah 55:3

Jeremiah 6:10

Ezekiel 16:12

Zechariah 7:11

אָ֝זְנְךָ֗ אָ֝זְנְכֶ֗ם אָ֝זְנִ֗י אָ֭זְנֶיךָ אָ֭זְנַיִם אָ֭זְנָם אָ֭זְנוֹ אָזְנ֖וֹ אָזְנ֣וֹ אָזְנְךָ֗ אָזְנְךָ֙ אָזְנְךָ֛ אָזְנְךָ֣ אָזְנְךָ֥ אָזְנְךָ֮ אָזְנְךָֽ־ אָזְנְכֶ֔ם אָזְנְכֶ֖ם אָזְנְכֶם֙ אָזְנִ֑י אָזְנִֽי׃ אָזְנִי֙ אָזְנֵ֑ךְ אָזְנֵיהֶ֖ם אָזְנֶ֑ךָ אָזְנֶ֔ךָ אָזְנֶֽךָ׃ אָזְנַ֖יִם אָזְנַ֣יִם אָזְנַ֥יִם אָזְנַ֨יִם אָזְנָ֑יִךְ אָזְנָ֑ם אָזְנָ֔ם אָזְנָ֖יו אָזְנָֽיִם׃ אָזְנָֽי׃ אָזְנָֽיו׃ אָזְנָֽם׃ אָזְנָם֙ אָזְנֽוֹ׃ אָזְנוֹ֙ אֹ֑זֶן אֹ֔זֶן אֹ֖זֶן אֹ֗זֶן אֹ֣זֶן אֹ֤זֶן אֹ֥זֶן אֹ֨זֶן אֹ֭זֶן אֹֽזֶן־ אזן אזן־ אזנו אזנו׃ אזני אזני׃ אזניהם אזניו אזניו׃ אזניך אזנים אזנים׃ אזנך אזנך־ אזנך׃ אזנכם אזנם אזנם׃ בְּ֝אָזְנֵ֗ינוּ בְּאָזְנֵ֑ינוּ בְּאָזְנֵ֖י בְּאָזְנֵ֛י בְּאָזְנֵ֣י בְּאָזְנֵ֤י בְּאָזְנֵ֥י בְּאָזְנֵ֧י בְּאָזְנֵ֨י בְּאָזְנֵ֬ינוּ בְּאָזְנֵֽינוּ׃ בְּאָזְנֵי֙ בְּאָזְנֵי־ בְּאָזְנֵיהֶ֑ם בְּאָזְנֵיהֶֽם׃ בְּאָזְנֵיכֶ֔ם בְּאָזְנֵיכֶ֖ם בְּאָזְנֵיכֶֽם׃ בְּאָזְנֶ֑יךָ בְּאָזְנֶ֔יךָ בְּאָזְנַ֔י בְּאָזְנָ֑י בְּאָזְנָ֑יו בְּאָזְנָ֖י בְּאָזְנָֽי׃ בְּאָזְנָֽיו׃ בְאָזְנֵ֜ינוּ בְאָזְנֵ֨י בְאָזְנֵיהֶ֗ם בְאָזְנַ֔יִךְ בְאָזְנַ֗י בְאָזְנַי֙ בְאָזְנָ֑י בְאָזְנָ֖י בְאָזְנָֽיו׃ בְאָזְנוֹ֙ באזנו באזני באזני־ באזני׃ באזניהם באזניהם׃ באזניו באזניו׃ באזניך באזניכם באזניכם׃ באזנינו באזנינו׃ וְ֝אָזְנֶ֗ךָ וְ֝אָזְנָ֗יו וְאָזְנֵ֥י וְאָזְנֵיהֶ֖ם וְאָזְנֶ֖יךָ וְאָזְנֶ֙יךָ֙ וְאָזְנַ֖י וְאָזְנַ֙יִךְ֙ וְאָזְנַ֣יִם וְאָזְנַ֥יִם וְאָזְנָ֥יו וְאֹ֥זֶן וּבְאָזְנֵ֖י וּבְאָזְנֵ֣י וּבְאָזְנֵי֙ וּבְאָזְנֶ֣יךָ וּבְאָזְנֶ֥יךָ וּבְאָזְנֶ֨יךָ וּבְאָזְנָ֣יו ואזן ואזני ואזניהם ואזניו ואזניך ואזנים ואזנך ובאזני ובאזניו ובאזניך ’ā·zə·nā·yiḵ ’ā·zə·na·yim ’ā·zə·nā·yim ’ā·zə·nām ’ā·zə·nāw ’ā·zə·nāy ’ā·zə·nê·hem ’ā·zə·ne·ḵā ’ā·zə·nə·ḵā ’ā·zə·nə·ḵā- ’ā·zə·nə·ḵem ’ā·zə·nêḵ ’ā·zə·nî ’ā·zə·nōw ’āzənām ’āzənāw ’āzənāy ’āzənāyiḵ ’āzənayim ’āzənāyim ’āzənêhem ’āzənêḵ ’āzəneḵā ’āzənəḵā ’āzənəḵā- ’āzənəḵem ’āzənî ’āzənōw ’ō·zen ’ō·zen- ’ōzen ’ōzen- azeNai azeNam azeNav azeNayich Azenayim azeNech azeneCha azeneChem Azeneicha azeneiHem azeNi azeNo Azenom bə’āzənāw ḇə’āzənāw bə’āzənay bə’āzənāy ḇə’āzənay ḇə’āzənāy ḇə’āzənayiḵ bə’āzənê ḇə’āzənê bə’āzənê- bə’āzənêhem ḇə’āzənêhem bə’āzəneḵā bə’āzənêḵem bə’āzənênū ḇə’āzənênū ḇə’āzənōw ḇə·’ā·zə·na·yiḵ bə·’ā·zə·nāw ḇə·’ā·zə·nāw bə·’ā·zə·nay bə·’ā·zə·nāy ḇə·’ā·zə·nay ḇə·’ā·zə·nāy bə·’ā·zə·nê ḇə·’ā·zə·nê bə·’ā·zə·nê- bə·’ā·zə·nê·hem ḇə·’ā·zə·nê·hem bə·’ā·zə·ne·ḵā bə·’ā·zə·nê·ḵem bə·’ā·zə·nê·nū ḇə·’ā·zə·nê·nū ḇə·’ā·zə·nōw beazeNai beazeNav beazeNei beazeNeicha beazeneiChem beazeneiHem beazeNeinu Ozen ū·ḇə·’ā·zə·nāw ū·ḇə·’ā·zə·nê ū·ḇə·’ā·zə·ne·ḵā ūḇə’āzənāw ūḇə’āzənê ūḇə’āzəneḵā uveazeNav uveazeNei uveazeNeicha veazeNai veazeNav veazeNayich veazeNayim veazeNecha veazeNei veazeNeicha veazeneiHem veazeNeinu veazeNo veOzen wə’āzənāw wə’āzənay wə’āzənayiḵ wə’āzənayim wə’āzənê wə’āzənêhem wə’āzəneḵā wə’ōzen wə·’ā·zə·na·yiḵ wə·’ā·zə·na·yim wə·’ā·zə·nāw wə·’ā·zə·nay wə·’ā·zə·nê wə·’ā·zə·nê·hem wə·’ā·zə·ne·ḵā wə·’ō·zenInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts