Hebrew Word Study

הצע

            The Hebrew word הצע “esa” is integral in trying to figure out the will and plan of Yahweh is.  In the book of Isaiah as one looks to see what Yahweh’s plan for Israel and as an application what Yahweh’s plan for the rest of the world is, it sheds light on the character of God when everything else seems to collapse.  How comprehensive is God’s plan for the rest of the world?  As one dives deeper into this word, הצע begins to shed light on God’s plan for the kingdom and His plan for each Christian on this earth.

Lexical Meaning.  Ēşâ is a nominative noun which usually means “plan,” both of a certain people and God’s plan or decision.  A plan is a method for achieving an end.  Its other meaning is advice but depending on the context, this will change how the word is defined. 

Etymology.  Eugene Carpenter and Michael Grisanti offer numerous suggestions for the root of ēşâ. They first explore the possibility that ēşâ is derived from the Arab word aşā which means disobeyed, rebelled.  However, its semantic range does not require another meaning apart from ēşâ and in the LXX, it does not deviate from this translation so more than likely, ēşâ is correct.  As always, it is best to define this word directly out of the Hebrew text.

Concordance Study.  In the book of Isaiah, the word ēşâ occurs eighteen times.  Of those times, twelve center around the word plan.  Sometimes it is translated “strategy” or “purpose” but in each instance, the meaning of the word from the context that it falls has to do with the plans of the people that utter it or God’s plan for them.  The most important idea about the word ēşâ in the book of Isaiah is that each time it occurs concerning Yahweh, it is a master plan that has been around since the beginning of time.  Second, ēşâ shows that God is in control of all plans.  If He wants, He can thwart any other person/peoples plan (i.e. 19:3). However, Yahweh’s plan is always ultimate and it will always prevail.  There is nothing that can overcome it, “I say: My ēşâ will stand, and I will do all that I please” (46:20).

Throughout the rest of the Old Testament, the term “advice” comes up much more regularly as a translation for ēşâ.  However, in these instances, it is the advice of people and not the advice of Yahweh.  Second, this advice is not always taken because it is not always wise as well.

What is most important looking at how the word is used throughout the entire Old Testament is there is God’s plan and everyone else’s plan or advice.  God’s plan overrides everyone else’s and many people do not understand it.  One is superior to the other which is why Proverbs 8 reads, “(Counsel) ēşâ and sound judgment are mine; I have understanding and power.”

Comparison to other Authors and Dictionaries.  For the most part, each dictionary and author have fairly similar views on the word ēşâ, plan.  The dictionary points out that every instance in the LXX, it translates it as counsel or plan. 

Application.  In summary, ēşâ sheds a great deal of light on who is in charge of this world and whose plan is superior—Yahweh.  As a result, one should seek to discern what Yahweh’s plan is through the reading of scripture, prayer, and godly council and follow it as closely as possible.  Second, His plan is perfect and righteous, so in trying to discern what our plan is to follow Yahweh, if it is not with righteous motives or has sin involved, it probably does not have the blessing of Yahweh.

Bibliography

Harris, R. Laird, Gleason L. Archer. Theological Workbook of the Old Testament, Vol. 1. Chicago: Moody, 1980.

VanGemeren, Willem A. New International Dictionary of Old Testiment Theology and Exegesis, Vol. 1. Grand Rapids: Michigan, 1997.

Whitaker, R. (1997, c1906). The Abridged Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew-English Lexicon of the Old Testament: From A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament by Francis Brown, S.R. Driver and Charles Briggs, based on the lexicon of Wilhelm Gesenius. Ed. by Richard Whitaker. Text provided by Princeton Theological Seminary. (electronic ed.). Oak Harbor WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.