The Hebrew verb azaz means to be strong, to prevail, to be brazen or fierce. Used about 10 times in the OT, it shares its root with the common noun oz (strength) and the name Uzziah (my strength is Yahweh). It can describe strength in a positive sense (God's strength) or in a negative sense (boldness of sinners).
Azaz and its cognates frame a key biblical tension: human strength versus divine strength. God calls His people to find their oz in Him (Psalm 28:7; Isaiah 40:31), not in themselves. The brazen boldness of sinners (azaz negatively) contrasts with the confident strength believers have in God. This creates the paradox of Christian weakness — when we are weak, then we are strong (2 Corinthians 12:10).