צָעַר
𐤑𐤏𐤓
tsâʻar
H6819 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To be or become small, insignificant, or diminished in size, status, quantity, or importance. The verb is used both literally for physical smallness and figuratively for diminished status, insignificance, or humiliation.
Semantic Range
to be small in size, to be few in number, to be insignificant, to be diminished, to be humiliated or brought low, to be of little importance
Root / Etymology
The term derives from the root צ־ע־ר, whose core meaning relates to smallness, littleness, or being slight. The verb form denotes the process or action of becoming or being small or insignficant, both in physical and metaphorical senses.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical usage, צָעַר most often describes a state of being of little size, quantity, or importance, whether literally (as in reference to a small number or amount) or metaphorically (regarding social status or significance). For example, in referring to Lot’s plea for the 'little city' of Zoar (Genesis 19:20), it underscores the literal sense of smallness. In Job 22:7, צָעַר takes on a figurative nuance, referring to the suffering or diminished social standing of a person. Across the biblical period, the verb's core idea remains steady, though late or post-exilic texts may exploit its metaphorical potential more fully. The English KJV tradition’s gloss 'ignoble' reflects a later, figurative application, rather than the most basic lexical meaning. Related terms like מְעַט or קָטֹן ('few, little, small') often overlap in certain contexts but may focus more narrowly on quantity or stature instead of the broader notion of significance or status carried by צָעַר.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to be small, i.e. (figuratively) ignoble; be brought low, little one, be small.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
צער (ṣ-ʿ-r) — smallness, diminishment, insignificance
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4705 | מִצְעָר | for a little while |
| H4706 | מִצְעָר | Small Peak |
| H6686 | צוּעָר | Tsuar |
| H6730 | צִיעֹר | and Zior |
| H6810 | צָעִיר | the lesser one |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6819-01 |
הַ/צֹּעֲרִֽים | hatsoarim | HTd/Vqrmpa |
the little ones | the small ones | 1 |
H6819-02 |
וְ֝/יִצְעֲר֗וּ | veyitsearu | HC/Vqi3mp |
and they are brought low | and they will become small | 1 |
H6819-03 |
יִצְעָֽרוּ | yitsearu | HVqi3mp |
they-will-be-disdained | they will become small | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6819-03 |
Jeremiah 30:19 | יִצְעָֽרוּ | yitsearu | HVqi3mp |
they-will-be-disdained | they will become small |
H6819-01 |
Zechariah 13:7 | הַ/צֹּעֲרִֽים | hatsoarim | HTd/Vqrmpa |
the little ones | the small ones |
H6819-02 |
Job 14:21 | וְ֝/יִצְעֲר֗וּ | veyitsearu | HC/Vqi3mp |
and they are brought low | and they will become small |