Lexical Summary tsebiyyah: Beauty, Glory Original Word: צְבִיָּה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance roe Feminine of tsbiy; a female gazelle -- roe. see HEBREW tsbiy NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfem. of tsebi Definition female gazelle NASB Translation gazelle (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs צְבִיָּה noun feminine id.; — ׳תְּאוֺמֵי צ Songs 4:5 = Song 7:4. Topical Lexicon צְבִיָּה (Strong’s Hebrew 6646)Zoological and Cultural Background The animal behind the term is the Near-Eastern gazelle, celebrated in antiquity for its slender form, nimble gait, keen eyesight, and affectionate disposition. In ancient Israel it was familiar on the hillsides of Judah and across the Transjordan. Its elegance made it a favored metaphor in poetry, art, and love songs throughout the wider Semitic world. Occurrences 1. Song of Songs 4:5 In both cases the gazelle is paired with the noun “fawns” to describe the bride’s breasts—imagery that evokes softness, symmetry, vitality, and youthful beauty. Imagery of Grace and Beauty The gazelle’s grace captures the poet’s attempt to laud feminine beauty without coarseness. By invoking a creature admired in God’s creation, the bridegroom lifts physical attraction to a plane of holy appreciation. The animal’s quickness and alertness also hint at living, responsive love rather than static ornamentation. Marriage and Covenant Love Song of Songs functions as Scripture’s endorsed manual for covenant intimacy. The gazelle metaphor affirms that marital affection is not merely permissible but to be delighted in, celebrated, and described with artistry. Where some cultures reduced women to possessions, the biblical poet elevates the bride with language that honors her personhood and God-given allure. Sanctified Desire The twin-fawn imagery suggests tender new life, directing attention to fertility and the promise of legacy within marriage (compare Genesis 1:28; Psalm 127:3). Desire, far from being suspect, is portrayed as God-designed when guarded by covenant (Hebrews 13:4). The gazelle reminds readers that authentic passion is both powerful and delicate, requiring mutual care. Moral and Spiritual Lessons • Purity: The affectionate yet chaste description instructs believers to handle romance with reverence (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5). Echoes in Worship and Prophecy While צְבִיָּה itself appears only in Song of Songs, related vocabulary for gazelle or beauty (צְבִי / צְבִית) surfaces in prophetic texts describing the “splendor” of the land (Isaiah 4:2; Daniel 11:16). Thus the animal’s loveliness becomes an emblem of promised restoration. The tenderness of marital love in Song of Songs points forward to the greater covenant joy between Christ and His Church (Ephesians 5:25-32). Homiletical and Pastoral Applications 1. Celebrate God’s design for marital intimacy, presenting it as holy, joyful, and worthy of poetic expression. Conclusion צְבִיָּה, though occurring only twice, enriches the canon by portraying an aspect of love that is graceful, life-giving, and rooted in God’s good creation. The gazelle’s elegance draws the reader from earthly marriage to the ultimate union of the Redeemer with His people, where beauty and covenant meet in perfect harmony. Forms and Transliterations צְבִיָּ֑ה צְבִיָּֽה׃ צביה צביה׃ ṣə·ḇî·yāh ṣəḇîyāh tzeviYahLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Songs 4:5 HEB: עֳפָרִ֖ים תְּאוֹמֵ֣י צְבִיָּ֑ה הָרוֹעִ֖ים בַּשּׁוֹשַׁנִּֽים׃ NAS: Twins of a gazelle Which feed KJV: young roes that are twins, INT: fawns are twins of a gazelle feed the lilies Songs 7:3 2 Occurrences |
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