Day 28 of 75 · Perception and response
ʾ-Z-L
ezal: go
ואזל
ܘܶܐܙܰܠ
The feel
The verb ʾezal means to go, to leave where you are and set out on a road or an errand. It covers errands, journeys, farewells, and even going for good. In the parable of the treasure, the man goes and sells everything he has.
The root family
| Form | Pattern | Transliteration | Script | Standard | Qala rendering |
|---|
| Verb, perfect | Peal | ʾezal | אזל ܐܶܙܰܠ | he went | he goes and sells (Mt 13:44); went and sold (Mt 13:46) |
| Verb, perfect + "and" | Peal | wʾezal | ואזל ܘܶܐܙܰܠ | and he went | and he went |
| Imperative (pl) | Peal | zelw | זלו ܙܶܠܘ | go! (you all) | So go out (Mt 22:9) |
| Verb, imperfect (3pl) | Peal | dniʾzuwn | דנאזלון ܕ݁ܢܺܐܙܽܠ݈ܘܢ | that they may go | so they can go (Mt 14:15) |
Note the imperative sheds its opening ʾālap: zel, zelw: "go!" is quicker to say than "he went."
In the Gospels the verb appears only in the Peal, ʾezal, to go, go away, or depart (Matthew 13:44-46; 14:15; 22:9).
In his voice
Matthew 13:44
The reign of the heavens is like treasure hidden in a field. A man found it and hid it again, and in his joy he goes and sells everything he has and buys that field.
ʾezal, "he goes." The parable turns on this verb. Between finding the treasure and buying the field, the man has to go, and his joy is what sends him.
Matthew 22:9
So go out to the street corners, and call everyone you find to the feast.'
zelw, "go!" The plural imperative is short because the opening ʾālap drops off. It sends them out to the street corners to call everyone to the feast.
Matthew 14:15
As evening came, his students came to him and said, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves food."
dniʾzuwn, "so they can go." The students sensibly propose sending the crowds away. In the next verse Yeshua answers that they don't need to go.
Practice
The next time you leave a room today, say ʾezal aloud as you step through the doorway. Then name one thing you would gladly go toward.
Connections