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צוּר

𐤑𐤅𐤓

Tsur

H6698 noun

SILEX Entry

Root צוּר to bind, to enclose, to form, to fashion

Definition

A large rock, boulder, or rocky outcrop; metaphorically, a source of strength, refuge, or reliability. In personal names, often indicating steadfastness or strength. Semantically, 'tsûwr' can designate physical mass (large, often sheer, craggy rock), act as a poetic title for YHWH (as 'Rock'—a metaphor for protection and constancy), or appear as a personal name.

Semantic Range

rock, crag, boulder, rocky outcrop, cliff, refuge, stronghold, source of strength or stability, metaphorical title for YHWH as protector, personal name conveying strength or steadfastness

Root / Etymology

From the root צוּר (צ-ו-ר), meaning 'to bind, tie up, enclose' or 'to form, fashion.' The transition from the root's basic idea of binding or enclosing to the concrete meaning of 'rock' likely stems from the visual of a rock as something firm, enclosed, or impenetrable. In derived forms, the root also gives rise to verbs relating to forming or shaping (e.g., 'to fashion' or 'form'), as well as nouns denoting enclosures or boundaries.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In pre-exilic Israelite texts, 'tsûwr' most often refers to prominent natural rock masses or cliffs, and sometimes to man-made rock features. In poetry and religious texts, particularly in Deuteronomy, Samuel, Psalms, and Isaiah, 'tsûwr' becomes a metaphor for YHWH, emphasizing divine protection, reliability, and unchanging nature. The metaphor draws on the immovability and permanence of rock. The use of 'tsûwr' as a personal name (e.g., a Midianite chief in Numbers 25:15; an Israelite in 1 Chronicles 8:20) likely conveys qualities such as steadfastness or strength. English translations sometimes flatten the full scope by translating all instances simply as 'rock,' missing the rich metaphorical layers particularly in poetry and hymnic material. Comparatively, 'סֶלַע' (sela‘) is another Hebrew term for 'rock,' generally signifying more specific geological features such as caves or rocky cliffs, while 'tsûwr' remains broader and more metaphorical in use. The modern English term 'Jew' is not connected to this word, though later translations might associate 'rock' metaphors with theological ideas post-biblically. The personal name 'Zur' in English Bibles is a direct transliteration and does not carry the metaphorical sense present in Hebrew.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

the same as צוּר; rock; Tsur, the name of a Midianite and of an Israelite; Zur.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

צור (ṣ-w-r) — binding, enclosing, forming, firmness

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1049 בֵּית צוּר Rock
H4692 מָצוֹר in the siege
H4693 מָצוֹר besieged stronghold
H4694 מְצוּרָה the fortified places
H6676 צַוַּאר her nape

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6698-01 צ֑וּר tsur HNp Zur Rock 3
H6698-02 וְ/צ֥וּר vetsur HC/Np and Zur and rock-of 2

Occurrences in Scripture

5 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6698-01 Numbers 25:15 צ֑וּר tsur HNp Zur Rock
H6698-01 Numbers 31:8 צ֤וּר tsur HNp Zur Rock
H6698-01 Joshua 13:21 צ֤וּר tsur HNp Zur Rock
H6698-02 1 Chronicles 8:30 וְ/צ֥וּר vetsur HC/Np and Zur and rock-of
H6698-02 1 Chronicles 9:36 וְ/צ֣וּר vetsur HC/Np and Zur and rock-of
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