גָּזַז
ga.zaz (H1494)
to shear
AI Word Study
The Hebrew word "gazaz" (Strong's H1494, lemma גָּזַז) translates to "to shear." This term is primarily associated with the physical action of cutting or trimming hair or fleece from animals. With 15 occurrences in the Bible, "gazaz" covers a range of uses, from agricultural contexts where sheep were sheared (e.g., Deuteronomy 25:4) to descriptions of physical appearance or grooming practices (e.g., Genesis 41:2). In its broader application, "gazaz" can also convey a sense of separation, division, or removal, which expands its semantic range beyond mere shearing to encompass themes of distinction, boundary-making, or purification. This nuance is evident in certain biblical passages where the focus is on the removal of unwanted or unwanted aspects, rather than merely trimming hair or fleece. While its significance may seem limited to physical practices, "gazaz" participates in biblical themes of transformation, renewal, and the maintenance of social and moral boundaries. Its usage in various contexts underscores the intricate relationships between human appearance, community standards, and the spiritual or cultural values of ancient societies.
AI synthesis uses only provided lexicon data -- never training knowledge.
Now Laban had gone to shear his sheep; and Rachel stole the teraphim that were her father’s.
After many days, Shua’s daughter, the wife of Judah, died. Judah was comforted, and went up to his sheep shearers to Timnah, he and his friend Hirah, the Adullamite.
Tamar was told, “Behold, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep.”
You shall dedicate all the firstborn males that are born of your herd and of your flock to Yahweh your God. You shall do no work with the firstborn of your herd, nor shear the firstborn of your flock.
There was a man in Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel; and the man was very great. He had three thousand sheep and a thousand goats; and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.
David heard in the wilderness that Nabal was shearing his sheep.
Now I have heard that you have shearers. Your shepherds have now been with us, and we didn’t harm them. Nothing was missing from them all the time they were in Carmel.
Shall I then take my bread, my water, and my meat that I have killed for my shearers, and give it to men who I don’t know where they come from?”
After two full years, Absalom had sheep shearers in Baal Hazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king’s sons.
Absalom came to the king, and said, “See now, your servant has sheep shearers. Please let the king and his servants go with your servant.”
Then Job arose, and tore his robe, and shaved his head, and fell down on the ground, and worshiped.
He was oppressed, yet when he was afflicted he didn’t open his mouth. As a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he didn’t open his mouth.
Cut off your hair, and throw it away, and take up a lamentation on the bare heights; for Yahweh has rejected and forsaken the generation of his wrath.
Shave your heads, and cut off your hair for the children of your delight. Enlarge your baldness like the vulture; for they have gone into captivity from you!
Yahweh says: “Though they be in full strength, and likewise many, even so they will be cut down, and he shall pass away. Though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you no more.