Lexical Summary uts: To counsel, advise, plan Original Word: עוּץ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance take advice counsel together A primitive root; to consult -- take advice ((counsel) together). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to counsel, plan NASB Translation devise (1), take counsel (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [עוּץ] verb counsel, plan (Aramaic id.; "" form of יעץ); — only Qal Imperative masculine plural עֻ֫צוּ Judges 19:30 (GFM reads עֵצָה, but see Bu), Isaiah 8:10 with accusative of congnate meaning with verb עֵצָה. (StaThLz 1894, Apr. 28, 235 derives עֻצוּ from יעץ). Topical Lexicon Root IdeaThe verb conveys deliberate counsel, purposeful planning, or considered advice. It pictures minds brought together to form a settled course of action, whether by an individual, a community, or a coalition of nations. Old Testament Usage Two canonical occurrences frame the term’s significance: Judges 19:30 calls Israel to weigh the horror of Gibeah and respond; Isaiah 8:10 warns foreign powers that their best-laid schemes will crumble before Immanuel. Though sparing in frequency, these texts place the word at key junctures where covenant destiny and national future hang in the balance. Judges 19:30 – Covenant Accountability “Think about it, consider it, and speak up!” (Berean Standard Bible). The Levite’s grisly message compels every tribe to assemble, deliberate, and act. Here עוּץ moves beyond private reflection to communal obligation. Israel cannot ignore covenant violation; she must devise a just response. The chapter that follows (Judges 20) records corporate intercession, inquiry at Bethel, and eventual judgment on Benjamin. The verb thus serves as a summons to righteous counsel when moral catastrophe threatens the people of God. Isaiah 8:10 – Human Strategy versus Divine Presence “Devise a plan, but it will be thwarted; state a proposal, but it will not happen, for God is with us.” The nations’ counsel (עוּצוּ) appears formidable, yet collapses before the abiding presence of Immanuel. The verse forms a theological antithesis: human planning versus the immutable counsel of YHWH (compare Psalm 33:10-11; Proverbs 19:21). In redemptive history this anticipates the cross, where earthly plots (Acts 4:27-28) are overruled for salvation. Connection with Wisdom Literature Though the verb itself is scarce, its semantic field (“counsel,” “plan”) permeates Proverbs (for example Proverbs 15:22; Proverbs 20:18) and Job (Job 12:13). The overarching biblical theme is clear: godly counsel flourishes when rooted in the fear of the Lord, while self-reliant schemes fail (Psalm 1:1-6; Jeremiah 17:5-8). Prophetic and Messianic Resonance Isaiah’s context links עוּץ to the Immanuel prophecy (Isaiah 7:14) and the royal titles of the coming Child, “Wonderful Counselor” (Isaiah 9:6). Human counsel is confounded so that divine counsel in Christ might stand (Ephesians 1:11). The term therefore contributes to the larger Isaianic portrait of Messiah as the ultimate source of wisdom and strategy. Practical Ministry Application 1. Corporate Discernment: Churches facing crisis should, like Israel in Judges, gather, hear, and seek the Lord together before acting (Acts 13:1-3). New Testament Parallels The motif resurfaces whenever human counsel collides with God’s decree: the Sanhedrin’s plot (Matthew 26:3-4), the early church’s prayer (Acts 4:24-30), and Paul’s affirmation that “the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God” (1 Corinthians 3:19). Such passages echo the Old Testament lesson embedded in עוּץ—only divine strategy endures. Summary Strong’s Hebrew 5779 highlights a decisive contrast: the necessity of righteous counsel among God’s people and the futility of ungodly planning against Him. Though appearing only twice, the verb’s theological weight is substantial, pointing readers from covenant fidelity in Judges through prophetic assurance in Isaiah to the consummate Counselor, Jesus Christ, whose plans cannot fail. Forms and Transliterations עֻ֥צוּ עצו ‘u·ṣū ‘uṣū UtzuLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Judges 19:30 HEB: לָכֶ֥ם עָלֶ֖יהָ עֻ֥צוּ וְדַבֵּֽרוּ׃ פ NAS: Consider it, take counsel and speak KJV: consider of it, take advice, and speak INT: Consider and take and speak Isaiah 8:10 2 Occurrences |
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