צָוַח
𐤑𐤅𐤇
tsâvach
H6681 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To cry out loudly, to give a sharp, loud call or shout, typically in response to pain, distress, alarm, or a pressing need. In biblical usage, it most often denotes a loud, urgent appeal—whether in agony, for help, in protest, or as a public outcry.
Semantic Range
to cry out loudly, to shriek, to call out in distress, to make a public outcry, to give a piercing shout (of joy or agony), to raise an urgent alarm
Root / Etymology
Root צוח, core idea 'to cry out, call aloud.' The verb צָוַח is probably an onomatopoeic formation imitating a loud, piercing sound. It is not a denominative word but reflects the primal notion of a sharp outcry.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The verb צָוַח appears only rarely in the Hebrew Bible, with most occurrences in post-exilic and later biblical Hebrew (e.g., in Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah). It stands alongside related verbs such as זָעַק (to cry out for help), שָׁוַע (to cry aloud, often in prayer), and צָעַק (to shout, cry out), but צָוַח often connotes a particularly piercing or shrill cry. It is not limited to positive (joy) or negative (distress) contexts but is generally associated with strong emotion or public commotion. Later translations sometimes use 'shout' or 'cry out,' but English often cannot convey the sharpness or urgency implied. In post-biblical Hebrew and Aramaic, the root maintains the sense of a loud or public outcry, sometimes connected to mourning, alarm, or mass protest. The term’s vividness is best captured as a high-pitched, urgent cry distinct from quieter lament or casual calling.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to screech (exultingly); shout.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
צוח (ṣ-w-ḥ) — cry out, shout, call loudly
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H6682 | צְוָחָה | piercing outcry |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6681-01 |
יִצְוָֽחוּ | yitsevachu | HVqi3mp |
let them shout | they cry out loudly | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6681-01 |
Isaiah 42:11 | יִצְוָֽחוּ | yitsevachu | HVqi3mp |
let them shout | they cry out loudly |