Lexical Summary tsabeh: Swollen, bloated Original Word: צָבֶה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance swell From tsabah; turgid -- swell. see HEBREW tsabah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom tsabah Definition swelling, swollen NASB Translation swell (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [צָבֶה] adjective swelling, swollen; — feminine צָבָה Numbers 5:21 (as foregoing). II. צבה (√ of following; meaning dubious; DlPr 159 Buhl and others compare Arabic Topical Lexicon Overview צָבֶה (Strong’s Hebrew 6639) denotes “dyed cloth,” “colored weaving,” or “tinted fabric.” Although the specific word is absent from the canonical Hebrew text, it belongs to the same semantic field as צָבַע (“to dye”) and stands alongside other textile terms that describe the richly colored materials used in worship, trade, and daily life throughout Scripture. Ancient Practice of Dyeing and Weaving Textile dyeing was an advanced art in the Ancient Near East. Natural dyes were extracted from plants (indigo, madder), insects (crimson from the kermes scale), and mollusks (Tyrian purple). Archaeological finds from Lachish, Timna, and Phoenician coastal sites confirm that dyed wool and linen were prized commodities. Purple, crimson, and blue fabrics commanded high prices, serving as badges of royalty and priestly function (Judges 8:26; Esther 8:15). Economic and Trade Significance Ezekiel 27 portrays Tyre’s commercial empire, whose merchants traded “with blue and purple from the coasts of Elishah” and “rich apparel” (Ezekiel 27:7, 24). Though צָבֶה itself is not used here, the passage illustrates the same category: ornate cloth identified by vivid dye. Control of dye–producing resources shaped regional power, and Israel’s proximity to Phoenicia gave her access to luxury textiles while warning her against material pride (Isaiah 23:8-9). Worship and Priestly Garments The Tabernacle and later the Temple incorporated dyed yarns as tangible expressions of heavenly glory. “You are to make the tabernacle with ten curtains of finely twisted linen, with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn” (Exodus 26:1). The ephod and breastpiece likewise combined these colors with gold (Exodus 28:5-6), reflecting purity, royalty, sacrifice, and divinity. Although צָבֶה is not the term Moses employed, its conceptual sphere helps illuminate how lavish workmanship was consecrated to the Lord. Symbolic Color Imagery 1. Royalty and Sovereignty: “They put a purple robe on Him” (Mark 15:17) underscores Christ’s kingship amid mockery. Prophetic and Poetic Usage Song of Solomon describes royal splendor using textile imagery: “His arms are rods of gold set with beryl; his body is an ivory panel bedecked with sapphires” (Song of Solomon 5:14). Though the vocabulary differs, the theme of richly ornamented fabric communicates marital delight and covenant faithfulness. Likewise Proverbs 31:22 praises the virtuous woman: “She makes coverings for her bed; her clothing is fine linen and purple,” combining aesthetic excellence with industrious piety. Christological Parallels The Tabernacle’s tricolored curtains prefigure Christ’s incarnate person. The blue mirrors His heavenly origin, the purple His royal status, and the scarlet His atoning blood. All three threads converge at the cross, where the soldiers’ purple robe (John 19:2) unwittingly proclaims the King who purifies a people “washed… in His blood” (Revelation 1:5). Ministry Application Today 1. Excellence in Service: As artisans produced flawless dyed fabric for sacred use, believers today are called to offer skill and creativity to God’s glory (Colossians 3:23-24). Summary While צָבֶה never appears in the Masoretic text, its concept enriches biblical motifs of color, glory, and consecration. Understanding ancient dyed fabrics deepens appreciation for the lavish devotion evident in Israel’s worship, the prophetic indictment of misplaced opulence, and the New Testament revelation of Christ’s radiant righteousness—garments dyed not with earthly pigment but with His own sacrificial love. Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance ṣiḇ·’ō·ṯām — 2 Occ.ṣiḇ·’ō·w·ṯê·ḵem — 1 Occ. ū·ṣə·ḇā — 1 Occ. ū·ṣə·ḇā·’ōw — 12 Occ. wə·ṣā·ḇā — 4 Occ. kiṣ·ḇō·yim — 1 Occ. ṣə·ḇō·w·yîm — 2 Occ. ū·ṣə·ḇō·yim — 2 Occ. haṣ·ṣō·ḇê·ḇāh — 1 Occ. laṣ·bō·wṯ — 1 Occ. wə·ṣā·ḇə·ṯāh — 1 Occ. ṣə·ḇū — 1 Occ. ṣā·ḇū·a‘ — 1 Occ. way·yiṣ·bāṭ- — 1 Occ. biṣ·ḇā·’ō·wṯ — 2 Occ. haṣ·ṣə·ḇā·yim — 1 Occ. haṣ·ṣə·ḇî — 5 Occ. kaṣ·ṣə·ḇî — 2 Occ. kiṣ·ḇî — 2 Occ. liṣ·ḇî — 4 Occ. |
    |
lean, incline (especially III.), figurative incline toward (
), yearn for, Assyrian ƒabû, Aramaic צְבָא 
, all desire, etc.).