The first occurrence
And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city. Gen 19:16
In the Scripture Picture: Wait on Yehovah, be of good courage …
The primitive root
Strong’s H2388 חזק chazaq, a primitive root meaning, “to strengthen, to uphold.”
chet ח = the wall, thus outside, divide, half
zayin ז = mattock, thus tool, food, cut, nourish
quph ק = on the horizon, thus condense, circle, time
The story: A wall (chet) built up (zayin, as tools are used in building) so that it encircles (quph). Positively it means to be strong, to grab hold of and not let go; negatively it means to be stubborn, to be hardened.
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