עָצֵל
a.tsal
be sluggish
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Hebrew word "a.tsal" (H6101), meaning "be sluggish," is a verb that conveys a sense of being slow or lethargic. Its single occurrence in the Bible is in the context of describing someone who is idle or lacking in energy. Given its short definition and limited usage, it is likely that "a.tsal" is a specific term used to describe a particular state of being, rather than a general description of someone's character. Its significance lies in its ability to convey a sense of physical or mental sluggishness, which may be a temporary condition or a habitual state. The use of "a.tsal" in the Bible may serve to highlight the importance of diligence and productivity, by contrasting it with a state of idleness or lethargy. However, without further context, it is difficult to determine the full scope of its meaning and significance.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence across the text