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צָלַל

𐤑𐤋𐤋

tsâlal

H6751 verb

SILEX Entry

Root צ-ל-ל to be or become dark, to cast shadow, to grow dim

Definition

To grow dark, particularly referring to the onset of darkness or deep shadow such as at twilight or dusk. Extension: to become deeply shaded, to cast a dark shadow, or to grow somber in appearance or atmosphere. Used both literally (growing dark) and metaphorically (become gloomy or somber).

Semantic Range

to become dark (of twilight or sun/moon darkening), to be shadowed, to be somber or gloomy (figurative); to grow dim, to cast darkness (literal or metaphorical)

Root / Etymology

From the root צ-ל-ל, which fundamentally connotes the notion of shade, shadow, or deepening darkness. The verb form צָלַל derives from this root, indicating the process by which a place or time becomes overshadowed or turns dark, especially as in evening or due to dense cloud. It is related to nouns like צֵל (shadow, shade), but this verb is more dynamic, focusing on the transition into darkness.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical usage, צָלַל occurs rarely and describes either the literal deepening of twilight shadows or, metaphorically, an intensification of gloom or foreboding. It is not a common verb, but where it does appear (e.g., Nahum 2:11 [Eng. 2:10], Ezekiel 32:7), it depicts the spreading of darkness either in the natural or figurative sense. The term can function in poetical contexts to highlight an impending calamity or loss, reinforcing the sense of foreboding. Though related to צֵל (shadow) and צֶלֶם (image, often associated with form as a shadow or likeness), צָלַל does not share their full range of meanings, remaining more restricted to the process of becoming shadowed or dark. Standard English translations often use 'to be dark,' 'grow dark,' or 'become shadowed,' but these sometimes miss the word's metaphorical potency. Later Hebrew has preserved the root mainly in nouns and less so in this active verbal sense.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root (identical with through the idea of hovering over (compare צֶלֶם)); to shade, as twilight or an opaque object; begin to be dark, shadowing.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

צלל (ṣ-l-l) — to become dark, to cast shadow, to grow dim

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1212 בְּצַלְאֵל In-the-Shadow-of-God
H4698 מְצִלָּה tinkling-bells of
H4699 מְצֻלָּה in the deep abyss
H4700 מְצֵלֶת with the ringing cymbal-pair
H6738 צֵל in the shade

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6751-01 מֵצַ֖ל metsal HVhrmsa shade shadow-caster 1
H6751-02 צָֽלֲלוּ֩ tsalalu HVqp3cp they grew dark they grew dark 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6751-01 Ezekiel 31:3 מֵצַ֖ל metsal HVhrmsa shade shadow-caster
H6751-02 Nehemiah 13:19 צָֽלֲלוּ֩ tsalalu HVqp3cp they grew dark they grew dark
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