צִיצָה
𐤑𐤉𐤑𐤄
tsîytsâh
H6733 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A blossom or flower, specifically the prominent, often brightly-colored reproductive part of a plant. By extension, can also refer to the earliest unfolding or bud of a plant. Used figuratively for beauty or transience.
Semantic Range
blossom, flower, bud, (poetic) transient beauty, fleeting life, prime of youth, ephemeral splendor
Root / Etymology
From the root צוץ (tsuts), which means 'to blossom, flower, bloom, shine.' צִיצָה (tsîytsâh) is the feminine noun form derived from this root, signifying the blossom itself.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, צִיצָה is used to describe literal plant blossoms and is sometimes used poetically as a metaphor for beauty, youth, transience, and the fleeting nature of life—especially in wisdom literature (e.g., Isaiah 40:6-8). The word can denote both the flower portion and the full blooming stage, sometimes overlapping with related words like פֶּרַח (perach, 'flower, bud') but with particular emphasis on the visible, often vibrant, exposed part of the flowering process. In some later texts and translation traditions (e.g., the Septuagint), its meaning was sometimes broadened or generalized as simply 'flower,' but the Hebrew preserves a nuance of brilliance and ephemerality. Standard English renderings as 'flower' or 'blossom' adequately reflect the core meaning but can miss the term's poetic resonance regarding impermanence and vividness. The figurative use is especially prominent in prophetic or poetic passages, where the 'flower' represents a state of beauty or vitality that is fleeting.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
feminine of צִיץ; a flower; flower.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
צוץ (ts-w-ts) — to blossom, bloom, shine
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H6692 | צוּץ | one causing to blossom |
| H6731 | צִיץ | like a shining blossom |
| H6732 | צִיץ | the Blossom-place |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6733-01 |
צִיצַ֤ת | tsitsat | HNcfsa |
fading flower | blossom | blossom | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6733-01 |
Isaiah 28:4 | צִיצַ֤ת | tsitsat | HNcfsa |
fading flower | blossom | blossom |