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צָוָה

𐤑𐤅𐤄

tsâvâh

H6680 verb

SILEX Entry

Root צוה to command, to direct, to order

Definition

To command or give an order, typically involving an authoritative directive from a person in a position of authority to a subordinate. The verb is used with the sense of placing a binding requirement or summons upon the recipient; it may also denote appointing someone to a role or task, enjoining specific duties, or instructing about what is to be done. In more extended usage, it can refer to arranging, setting things in order, or commissioning, depending on context.

Semantic Range

to command, to give an order, to charge (with responsibility), to appoint or commission, to direct, to enjoin, to lay an obligation, to instruct, to set in order

Root / Etymology

The verb derives from the root צוה, which at the root level means 'to order, to command, to direct.' Its common stem (Piel) intensifies the sense of ordering, so that the derived forms focus on authoritative direction or giving instructions to be obeyed. The form’s intensiveness distinguishes it from softer verbs of speech or advice, marking it as an explicit command.

Historical & Contextual Notes

צָוָה is the regular verb for giving an authoritative order throughout the Hebrew Bible, used nearly 500 times, most commonly in legal, cultic, and royal contexts. It is frequently used for divine speech-acts — the deity commanding individuals (such as patriarchs, prophets, or kings) or the whole Israelite people. It is especially prominent in priestly and Deuteronomic material, where the verbs 'command' and 'charge' mark legal obligations or cultic instructions. In contrast to other verbs of speech (e.g., אֲמַר 'to say', דִּבֵּר 'to speak'), צָוָה conveys not just communication but expectation of compliance. Later translations into Greek (LXX) typically render it with ἐντέλλω/ἐντέλλομαι, and in English, it appears as 'command' or 'give charge.' Although 'commandment' and 'charge' are common renderings, some English translations use 'appoint' or 'set in order' in specific contexts, but these should not obscure the sense of authoritative instruction. There is no significant development in meaning across biblical periods; the core sense remains one of command or authoritative directive, though the referents (e.g., Moses commanding Israel, Yahweh commanding Moses, kings commanding armies) shift with changing institutions.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; (intensively) to constitute, enjoin; appoint, (for-) bid, (give a) charge, (give a, give in, send with) command(-er, -ment), send a messenger, put, (set) in order.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

צוה (ṣ-w-h) — command, order, direct

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4687 מִצְוָה in his commands
H6673 צַו to a command
H6716 צִי in seagoing ships

Word Forms

65 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6680-17 צִוָּ֥ה tsivah HVpp3ms commanded he commanded 192
H6680-47 וַ/יְצַו֙ vayetsav HC/Vpw3ms and commanded and he commanded 47
H6680-32 צִוִּ֖יתִי tsiviti HVpp1cs I commanded I commanded 29
H6680-09 מְצַוְּ/ךָ֣ metsavekha HVprmsc/Sp2ms command you your commander 28
H6680-34 צִוִּיתִ֛י/ךָ tsivitikha HVpp1cs/Sp2ms I have commanded you I commanded you 15
H6680-08 מְצַוֶּֽה metsaveh HVprmsa command one who commands 15
H6680-35 צִוִּיתִ֔/ם tsivitim HVpp1cs/Sp3mp I commanded them I commanded them 10
H6680-18 צִוָּ֖/הוּ tsivahu HVpp3ms/Sp3ms he commanded him he commanded him 10
H6680-24 צִוְּ/ךָ֖ tsivekha HVpp3ms/Sp2ms he commanded you he commanded you 9
H6680-15 צַ֤ו tsav HVpv2ms Command Command! 9

Occurrences in Scripture

496 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6680-47 Genesis 2:16 וַ/יְצַו֙ vayetsav HC/Vpw3ms and commanded and he commanded
H6680-34 Genesis 3:11 צִוִּיתִ֛י/ךָ tsivitikha HVpp1cs/Sp2ms I commanded you I commanded you
H6680-34 Genesis 3:17 צִוִּיתִ֨י/ךָ֙ tsivitikha HVpp1cs/Sp2ms I commanded you I commanded you
H6680-17 Genesis 6:22 צִוָּ֥ה tsivah HVpp3ms commanded he commanded
H6680-18 Genesis 7:5 צִוָּ֖/הוּ tsivahu HVpp3ms/Sp3ms YHWH commanded him he commanded him
H6680-17 Genesis 7:9 צִוָּ֥ה tsivah HVpp3ms had commanded he commanded
H6680-17 Genesis 7:16 צִוָּ֥ה tsivah HVpp3ms had commanded he commanded
H6680-47 Genesis 12:20 וַ/יְצַ֥ו vayetsav HC/Vpw3ms commanded and he commanded
H6680-63 Genesis 18:19 יְצַוֶּ֜ה yetsaveh HVpi3ms command he will command
H6680-17 Genesis 21:4 צִוָּ֥ה tsivah HVpp3ms had commanded he commanded
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