Original Word: עֵז
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: `ez
Pronunciation: ayz
Phonetic Spelling: (aze)
KJV: (she) goat, kid
NASB: goat, goats, goats', female goats, female goat
Word Origin: [from H5810 (עָזַז - prevail)]

1. a she-goat (as strong), but masculine in plural (which also is used ellipt. for goat's hair)

she goat, kid

From azaz; a she-goat (as strong), but masculine in plural (which also is used ellipt. For goat's hair) -- (she) goat, kid.

see HEBREW azaz

Word Origin
from an unused word
Definition
female goat
NASB Translation
female goat (2), female goats (3), goat (44), goat* (2), goats (13), goats' (9), young goat* (5), young goats* (3).

עֵז₇₄ noun feminine^{Genesis 15:9}

she-goat; — absolute ׳ע Genesis 15:9 6t.; plural עַזִּים Genesis 27:9 65t.; suffix עִזֶּיךָ Genesis 31:38; —

1 as property Genesis 30:32,33,35 (J), Genesis 31:15,38 (E), 1 Samuel 25:2.

2 as food: גְּדָיֵי (גְּדִי) עִזִּים kid(s) of she-goats Genesis 27:9,16 (J) + 7 t., שְׂעִיר עִזִּים Genesis 37:31 (J) a buck of goats, he-goat, שֵׂה עִזִּים Deuteronomy 14:4 a (n individual) goat; compare Leviticus 7:23 (P; fat forbidden); also ׳חֲלֵב ע Proverbs 27:27 goats' milk.

3 as sacrificial victim, chiefly P:

a. in General Leviticus 22:27 (H), Numbers 15:11.

b. in בְּרִית Genesis 15:9 (J E; compare Genesis 15:18).

c. מֶּסַח Exodus 12:5 (שֶׂה), בְּנֵי עִזִּים2Chronicles 35:7.

d. עוֺלָה Leviticus 22:19 (H), Leviticus 1:10; Numbers 28:30 (׳שְׂעִיר ע).

e. זֶבַח שְׁלָמִים Leviticus 3:12; Leviticus 17:3 (H; compare Leviticus 17:5), אִשֶּׁה Numbers 18:17 (׳בְּכוֺר ע).

f. חַטָּאת, ׳שְׂעִיר ע Ezekiel 43:22; Ezekiel 45:23; Leviticus 4:23 3t. Leviticus; Numbers 7:16 19t. Numbers; שְׂעִירַת עִזִּים a single she-goat Leviticus 4:28; Leviticus 5:6; עְפִרֵי זִּים2Chronicles 29:21 he-goats.

4 עִזִּים = goats' hair, as material 1 Samuel 19:13,16; Exodus 25:4 6t. P (Exodus 35:26 object of טָווּ!).

5 in simile חֲשַׂפֵי עִזִּים 1 Kings 20:27 (see [ חָשִׂיף]); ׳כְּעֵדַר הָע Songs 4:1; Songs 6:5, of flowing, undulating hair.

6 ׳צְפִיר הָע Du Songs 8:5,8 he-goat in vision.

ענז (√ of following; see Biblical Hebrew ענז, עֵז).

Zoological Identity and Domestication

The עֵז appears in Scripture as the common domestic goat, indispensable to the pastoral economy of the Ancient Near East. Hardy, sure-footed, and well adapted to arid hills, goats thrive where sheep struggle, providing milk, meat, hair, skins, and dung for fuel. Their ubiquity explains why nearly every patriarchal narrative—beginning with Abram’s covenant sacrifice (Genesis 15:9)—assumes ready access to a goat from the flock.

Covenant and Sacrificial Use

From the outset God wove the goat into redemptive ritual. In Genesis 15:9 Abram is told, “Bring Me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram…,” binding the animal to the Abrahamic covenant. Under the Sinai legislation the עֵז occupies a central place:

• Sin offerings for leaders and common Israelites required “a male goat without blemish” (Leviticus 4:23, 4:28).
• The high holy Day of Atonement demanded “two male goats as a sin offering” (Leviticus 16:5). One goat was slain, its blood taken behind the veil; the other bore the sins of the nation into the wilderness, prefiguring substitution and removal of guilt in Christ.
• At each new moon and during the major feasts a goat was presented for sin (Numbers 28–29), reinforcing Israel’s continual need of atonement.
• Goats could substitute for lambs in the Passover requirement of an unblemished year-old male (Exodus 12:5), highlighting divine provision for every household regardless of wealth.

By accepting the humble goat alongside costlier offerings, the Law demonstrated God’s equal concern for rich and poor, and foreshadowed the inclusive reach of the gospel.

Materials for Sanctuary and Daily Life

The tabernacle’s second weatherproof covering was woven from “goats’ hair” (Exodus 26:7), prized for its length and durability. The women of Israel spun this material “with skill” (Exodus 35:26), making the goat an instrument of worship through craftsmanship. Outside the sanctuary, garments (Proverbs 27:26), tents (Song of Solomon 1:5), and cushions were routinely fashioned from goat products, testifying to the animal’s economic importance.

Hospitality and Domestic Fare

Hospitality scenes often feature a “young goat” prepared for honored guests: Judah and Tamar (Genesis 38:17), Gideon and the Angel of the LORD (Judges 6:19), Manoah and the Angel (Judges 13:15). The offerings underscore the host’s eagerness to serve the best available provision. Milk from goats produced curds and butter (Deuteronomy 32:14), while Proverbs 27:27 assures the herdsman, “You will have plenty of goats’ milk for you and your household.”

Symbolic and Figurative Use

1. Contrast of Sheep and Goats. Jeremiah 50:8 speaks of Israel as “male goats leading the flock,” depicting vigorous leadership. Yet in Matthew 25:31-46 (Greek translation) goats symbolize the unrighteous separated at final judgment. The Old Testament groundwork of עֵז enables Christ’s stark eschatological division.

2. Virility and Beauty. Song of Solomon 4:1 praises the bride’s hair as “a flock of goats descending from Mount Gilead,” evoking vitality and graceful movement.

3. Deception and Sin. Jacob used “two choice young goats” to masquerade as Esau (Genesis 27:9-16). Later, goat blood on Joseph’s robe (Genesis 37:31) became evidence in another deception. The goat thus becomes an unwitting witness to human sin, amplifying the need for the atoning goat of Leviticus 16.

Prophetic and Eschatological Themes

Isaiah 34:6 foretells a day when “the LORD has a sacrifice in Bozrah… and a great slaughter in Edom; wild goats will fall with them,” indicating comprehensive judgment. Conversely, Ezekiel 34:17 distinguishes between “sheep and goats,” exposing corrupt leaders. These prophetic images culminate in Revelation’s separation of the righteous and wicked, echoing the ancient symbolism rooted in עֵז.

Christological Foreshadowings

Hebrews 9:11-14 weaves the Levitical goat into its argument: “If the blood of goats and bulls… sanctifies…, how much more will the blood of Christ…?” The goat offerings were never ends in themselves but pointers to the Lamb of God whose once-for-all sacrifice fulfills the type. The scapegoat’s laden departure anticipates the Savior who “removed our sins as far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12).

Practical Lessons for Ministry

• Accessible Sacrifice. Ministry today must, like the provision of goats, make the means of grace accessible to all.
• Leadership Accountability. The energetic goat leading the flock warns pastors to guide, not exploit, God’s people (Ezekiel 34).
• Tangible Service. As goat hair artisans contributed to the tabernacle, every believer’s practical skill can adorn Christ’s Church.
• Separation unto Holiness. The dietary law forbidding a kid in its mother’s milk (Exodus 23:19) teaches restraint and reverence for life, reminding believers that even daily meals can reflect sanctified living.

Conclusion

Across narrative, law, poetry, and prophecy, the עֵז bends its neck beneath the mighty hand of God to teach covenant grace, point toward the atoning work of Christ, and illustrate truths for godly living. Its 74 appearances form a coherent thread, witnessing to the Lord who provides, cleanses, judges, and shepherds His people.

בָּֽעִזִּ֗ים בָּעִזִּ֑ים בָעִזִּֽים׃ בעזים בעזים׃ הָֽעִזִּ֔ים הָֽעִזִּ֗ים הָֽעִזִּים֙ הָעִזִּ֖ים הָעִזִּֽים׃ הָעִזִּים֙ העזים העזים׃ וְעִזִּ֑ים וְעִזִּֽים׃ וְעִזֶּ֖יךָ וְעֵ֥ז וָעֵ֖ז וּבָֽעִזִּֽים׃ ובעזים׃ ועז ועזיך ועזים ועזים׃ עִזִּ֑ים עִזִּ֔ים עִזִּ֖ים עִזִּ֗ים עִזִּ֛ים עִזִּ֣ים עִזִּ֤ים עִזִּ֥ים עִזִּֽים׃ עִזִּים֙ עִזִּים֮ עֵ֖ז עֵ֛ז עֵ֥ז עֵז֙ עז עזים עזים׃ ‘êz ‘iz·zîm ‘izzîm bā‘izzîm ḇā‘izzîm bā·‘iz·zîm ḇā·‘iz·zîm baizZim ez hā‘izzîm hā·‘iz·zîm haizZim izZim ū·ḇā·‘iz·zîm ūḇā‘izzîm uVaizZim vaEz vaizZim veEz veizZeicha veizZim wā‘êz wā·‘êz wə‘êz wə‘izzeḵā wə‘izzîm wə·‘êz wə·‘iz·ze·ḵā wə·‘iz·zîmInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts