מִצְּעִירָה
𐤌𐤑𐤏𐤉𐤓𐤄
mitstsᵉʻîyrâh
H4704 adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
A feminine noun indicating a state or quality of being very small, young, or in a lesser position. It can refer to someone or something of minimal size, age, or status, emphasizing smallness or insignificance in comparison to others.
Semantic Range
very small (in size or importance), youngest (female), least, diminutive, comparatively insignificant
Root / Etymology
From the root מ־צ־ע־ר (צעיר), which means 'to be small' or 'to be young.' The word is a feminine form derived from the adjective מִצְעָר ('little, small, few'). As a feminine noun, it likely functions as a diminutive, denoting smallness or youthfulness, often with respect to a female subject.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The term appears in the biblical corpus to indicate someone or something notably small, young, or the least among a group. In some contexts, it specifically refers to the youngest female, the smallest or least in stature or rank, and occasionally carries the sense of endearment or emphasis on insignificance. It is related to other Hebrew words with the same root such as צָעִיר (tsa'ir) 'young, small (masculine),' used frequently with regard to age or relative position in family or social hierarchy. English translations sometimes render it as 'the little one' or 'the youngest,' but the nuance can include any aspect of diminutiveness—physical, chronological, or social. Its usage is rare and appears primarily in narrative genealogical or familial settings in the Hebrew Bible, often to denote the youngest female member among siblings. In later periods, diminutive forms and their nuances might expand or contract, but in the Bible, its emphasis remains on smallness and comparative insignificance or youthfulness.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
feminine of מִצְעָר; properly, littleness; concretely, diminutive; little.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
צעיר (ts-ʿ-y-r) — to be small, to be young, to be insignificant
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4704-01 |
מִ/צְּעִירָ֑ה | mitseirah | HR/Aafsa |
small | very small one | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4704-01 |
Daniel 8:9 | מִ/צְּעִירָ֑ה | mitseirah | HR/Aafsa |
small | very small one |