צֶלַע
𐤑𐤋𐤏
Tsela
H6762 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Tselaʻ is a proper noun referring to a specific geographic location, a town or city in the territory allotted to the tribe of Benjamin. Its primary use is as a place name in genealogical and territorial listings.
Semantic Range
(proper noun) Tselaʻ, a specific place in ancient Benjaminite territory; (by root) side, edge, rib, slope (not applicable to the place name except in possible topographical sense)
Root / Etymology
From the root צ-ל-ע (צלע), which primarily means 'side, rib, flank.' The place name Tselaʻ may derive from the topographical sense of the root, perhaps indicating a location situated on a hillside or ridge, or along a slope. Alternatively, it may designate a discrete feature ('side' or 'edge') in the landscape. The precise reason for application of the root meaning to the place name is uncertain.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Tselaʻ is mentioned in Joshua 18:28 in the context of territorial boundaries of the tribe of Benjamin, and in 2 Samuel 21:14 as the burial place of King Saul and his family. The placement of Tselaʻ in narratives relating to Saul underscores its association with early Israelite tribal and royal heritage. Its precise archaeological location is debated, but it is generally situated north or northwest of Jerusalem. English translations sometimes render Tselaʻ as 'Zelah,' preserving the Hebrew pronunciation, but the name is not typically translated because it functions as a proper noun. No religious or ethnic designation is attached to the site in its biblical references, and the term's meaning is distinct from any theology or later religious usage. There is no evidence that the place is directly connected to the root meaning 'rib' or 'side' within narrative contexts, though the derivation is probable. The distinction of Tselaʻ as a place name should be noted against the common noun צֶלַע, which can mean 'side, rib, flank, slope.'
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
the same as צֶלַע; Tsela, a place in Palestine; Zelah.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
צלע (ṣ-l-ʿ) — side, flank, rib, slope
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H5967 | עֲלַע | ribs |
| H6760 | צָלַע | the limping one |
| H6761 | צֶלַע | limping affliction |
| H6763 | צֵלָע | in side-panels of |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6762-01 |
בְּ/צֵלָ֗ע | betsela | HR/Np |
in Zela | in Tselaʻ | in Tsela | 1 |
H6762-02 |
וְ/צֵלַ֡ע | vetsela | HC/Np |
and Zelah | And Tselaʿ | and Tsela | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6762-02 |
Joshua 18:28 | וְ/צֵלַ֡ע | vetsela | HC/Np |
and Zelah | And Tselaʿ | and Tsela |
H6762-01 |
2 Samuel 21:14 | בְּ/צֵלָ֗ע | betsela | HR/Np |
in Zela | in Tselaʻ | in Tsela |