אָחַז

From the study of Numbers 32:30

Range of meaning

In the basic active form: 'seize, grasp, hold'. In the passive-reflexive form used here, it means 'be held, be caught', and with land 'be settled with property, acquire holdings'. The related noun achuzzah means a landed holding, often an inherited family plot.

Against the English

KJV and WEB say 'they shall have possessions', which today sounds like personal belongings. BSB says 'must accept their possession', which keeps the sense of being compelled that the passive form allows. YLT's 'have possessions in your midst' is literal but flat.

How it drifted

In 1611 'possessions' readily meant landed property. Today it usually means one's things or stuff.

Used elsewhere in the period

The same form for acquiring land: Gen 34:10 (Hamor invites Jacob's family to 'get property' in the land); Gen 47:27 (Israel 'acquired property' in Goshen); Josh 22:9, 19. Joshua 22:19 is the closest parallel. Phinehas offers the same Transjordan tribes the chance to 'take possession among us' west of the Jordan if they think their eastern land is unclean. The wording, verb plus 'in our midst', echoes this verse.

From the study of 2 Samuel 20:9

Range of meaning

To grasp, seize, take hold of, hold fast. Used of gripping objects, of catching someone, and figuratively of being seized by fear or pain.

Against the English

KJV/WEB 'took' and BSB 'grabbed' both work. BSB's 'grabbed' sounds rougher than a greeting, while 'took' sounds softer than the Hebrew grip. The verb itself sits between the two.

Used elsewhere in the period

Gen 25:26 (Jacob's hand gripping Esau's heel), Judg 16:3, Song 3:4 ('I held him and would not let him go').

From the study of 2 Samuel 1:9

Range of meaning

To grasp, seize, take hold of, hold fast. It is often used of fear, pangs or trembling that 'seize' a person, as if the distress were an outside force taking hold of them.

Against the English

'Has seized me' (BSB), 'has taken hold of me' (WEB), 'is come upon me' (KJV). The KJV is weaker, because it loses the image of being gripped.

Used elsewhere in the period

Exodus 15:14 (pangs seized the inhabitants of Philistia); Psalm 48:6 (trembling seized them); Job 18:20; Jeremiah 49:24.