Original Word: בִּזּה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: bizzah
Pronunciation: biz-zaw'
Phonetic Spelling: (biz-zaw')
KJV: prey, spoil
NASB: plunder, spoil
Word Origin: [feminine of H957 (בַּז - prey)]

1. booty

prey, spoil

Feminine of baz; booty -- prey, spoil.

see HEBREW baz

Word Origin
fem. of baz
Definition
spoil, booty
NASB Translation
plunder (8), spoil (1).

בִּזָּה noun feminine spoil, booty (late) — בִּזָּה2Chron 14:13 9t.; — spoil, prey, of things 2 Chronicles 28:14; Esther 9:10,15,16, compare 2Chron 14:13; 2 Chronicles 25:13; Daniel 11:24 ("" שָׁלָל & רכושׁ); verbal noun, spoiling, ׳בַּב Ezra 9:7; Daniel 11:33, compare also ׳לְב Nehemiah 3:36.

בִּזָּיוֺן see below בזה.

Meaning and Scope

The noun denotes tangible goods seized in the aftermath of conflict—flocks, herds, valuables, garments, and other movable property. Scripture employs the term to portray both the proud boast of victors (2 Chronicles 25:13) and the shameful evidence of defeat (Ezra 9:7). It therefore carries a moral weight that transcends its material sense, revealing how gains acquired by force can either manifest divine judgment or expose human greed.

Occurrences in Historical Narrative

2 Chronicles 14:14 records the first appearance, when King Asa “carried off a great amount of plunder” after the LORD routed the Cushite host. The Chronicler later contrasts righteous victory with mercenary excess: Amaziah’s dismissed troops “carried off much plunder” from Judean towns (2 Chronicles 25:13), an act that ultimately contributes to Israel’s downfall. During Ahaz’s apostasy, the northern kingdom amassed captives and spoils from Judah, yet prophetic intervention prevented permanent enslavement (2 Chronicles 28:14–15). Ezra surveys the long centuries of covenant infidelity and laments that Israel has been delivered “to the sword, to captivity, to plunder, and to humiliation” (Ezra 9:7), tying material loss to spiritual rebellion.

Covenant Ethics in Esther

Three occurrences cluster in Esther 9. After the Jews gained relief from their enemies, the text notes twice that “they did not lay a hand on the plunder” (Esther 9:15; Esther 9:16; cf. 9:10). Their restraint echoes the ancient ban on devoting spoil to personal use (Joshua 6:17–19) and underscores that the victory was an act of divine preservation, not an opportunity for self-enrichment. The narrative commends the priority of life over loot, a principle that reshapes the meaning of military success for God’s people.

Prophetic and Apocalyptic Dimensions

Daniel forecasts a king who will “distribute plunder, spoil, and wealth” to secure power (Daniel 11:24) and later predicts seasons when the wise “will fall by sword and flame, and by captivity and plunder” (Daniel 11:33). The repeated pattern shows that earthly rulers manipulate wealth to enthrone themselves, yet the ultimate sovereignty of God remains unchallenged. Even in the furnace of tribulation, the faithful may lose possessions, but they gain a testimony that endures.

Spiritual Lessons on Divine Justice

Plunder in Scripture is never morally neutral. When the LORD fights for His people, He grants spoil as a sign of covenant blessing (2 Chronicles 14:14). When His people rebel, the same word marks their chastisement (Ezra 9:7). Thus the concept functions as a barometer of spiritual health: righteousness may lead to abundance received with gratitude; disobedience forfeits security and exposes the futility of trusting in riches.

Stewardship and Material Possessions

The refusal to appropriate goods in Esther sets the benchmark for New Testament stewardship. Believers are called to pursue victory over evil without succumbing to avarice. Wealth gained apart from God’s will cannot be sanctified by religious veneer. Ministry that prizes integrity above material gain echoes the apostolic mandate: “We have renounced secret and shameful ways” (2 Corinthians 4:2).

Practical Application in Ministry

1. Teach contentment: emphasize that possessions procured outside God’s design bring sorrow (Proverbs 10:22).
2. Model generosity: resources entrusted to the church should advance mercy and mission, not prestige.
3. Address injustice: like the prophets, confront systems that exploit the powerless for profit.
4. Offer hope: when believers suffer loss—whether through persecution or disaster—remind them that eternal inheritance “can never perish, spoil, or fade” (1 Peter 1:4).

In every setting the word reminds the faithful that true riches consist not in seized treasure but in obedience to the Lord who owns all things.

בִּזָּ֥ה בִּזָּ֧ה בִזָּ֥ה בזה הַבִּזָּ֔ה הבזה וּבְבִזָּ֖ה וּבַ֨בִּזָּ֔ה וּבַבִּזָּ֛ה ובבזה לְבִזָּ֖ה לבזה biz·zāh ḇiz·zāh bizZah bizzāh ḇizzāh hab·biz·zāh habbizZah habbizzāh lə·ḇiz·zāh ləḇizzāh levizZah ū·ḇab·biz·zāh ū·ḇə·ḇiz·zāh ūḇabbizzāh ūḇəḇizzāh uvabbizZah uvvizZah vizZahInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts