Lexical Summary tseah: Dung, excrement Original Word: צָאָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance excrementFrom yatsa'; issue, i.e. (human) excrement -- that (which) cometh from (out). see HEBREW yatsa' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition filth, human excrement NASB Translation dung* (1), excrement (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [צֵאָה] noun feminine filth, specifically human excrement; — suffix צֵאָתֶ֑ךָ Deuteronomy 23:14; construct בְּגֶלְלֵי צֵאַת הָאָדָם Ezekiel 4:12 (as fuel; compare [גֵּל] p. 165 above). Topical Lexicon Definition and Basic Meaning צָאָה denotes human excrement or filth, the material by-product of the body that is instinctively regarded as offensive and contaminating. Its very nature makes it a potent biblical image for impurity and disgrace. Scriptural Occurrences • Deuteronomy 23:13 – “And you must have a digging tool among your equipment so that when you relieve yourself, you can dig a hole and cover your excrement.” Historical and Cultural Background In the open encampments of the ancient Near East, waste disposal posed health and ceremonial challenges. Peoples without adequate sanitation were prone to disease and ritual defilement. Israel’s Law therefore embedded specific procedures for managing bodily waste, contrasting sharply with surrounding nations that often tolerated filth within domestic or religious precincts. Sanitation and Holiness in the Camp Deuteronomy 23 situates צָאָה within wartime regulations: the camp must remain “holy” because “the LORD your God walks in the midst of your camp” (Deuteronomy 23:14). Human waste was to be buried outside the perimeter, underscoring two truths: 1. Physical cleanliness protected communal health. By commanding the burial of excrement, the Law taught Israel that nothing unclean should remain where the Divine Presence dwells, weaving practical hygiene into covenant theology. Prophetic Symbolism Ezekiel 4 employs צָאָה figuratively. The prophet’s bread, baked over human waste, dramatized Jerusalem’s impending defilement during siege. The shocking image communicated: The Lord later allowed Ezekiel to substitute cattle dung (Ezekiel 4:15), revealing divine compassion even amid judgment, yet the original mandate ensured the message’s graphic force. Theological Insights 1. Holiness is comprehensive. The same God who legislates worship also legislates latrines; no aspect of life lies outside His concern (compare 1 Corinthians 10:31). Practical Ministry Applications • Pastoral teaching: Even mundane habits—personal hygiene, stewardship of the body, care for church facilities—can reflect reverence for God’s holiness. Thus, though appearing only twice, צָאָה delivers enduring lessons on purity, accountability, and the all-encompassing scope of divine holiness. Forms and Transliterations צֵאַ֣ת צֵאָתֶֽךָ׃ צאת צאתך׃ ṣê’aṯ ṣê’āṯeḵā ṣê·’ā·ṯe·ḵā ṣê·’aṯ tzeAt tzeaTechaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Deuteronomy 23:13 HEB: וְכִסִּ֥יתָ אֶת־ צֵאָתֶֽךָ׃ NAS: to cover up your excrement. KJV: and cover that which cometh from thee: INT: and shall turn to cover your excrement Ezekiel 4:12 2 Occurrences |
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