Lexical Summary tsavvar: neck Original Word: צַוַּאר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance neck (Aramaic) corresponding to tsavva'r -- neck. see HEBREW tsavva'r NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to tsavvar Definition neck NASB Translation neck (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs [צַוַּאר] noun masculine neck (ᵑ7 Syriac; see Biblical Hebrew below I. צור); — suffix צַוְּארָךְ Daniel 5:16, צַוְּארֵהּ Daniel 5:7; Daniel 5:29. Topical Lexicon Range of Meaning and Imagery צַוַּאר most simply denotes the physical neck, yet its canonical setting invests the word with rich layers of honor, vulnerability, submission, and government. Situated between head and body, the neck functions as the locus where blessing (chains, kisses, ornaments) or bondage (yokes, fetters, execution) is displayed. Across Scripture the neck can bow in worship, stiffen in rebellion, bear a yoke, or receive royal insignia. These varied connotations underlie the four occurrences of Strong’s 6676. Royal Distinction in Daniel Daniel 5:7, 16, 29 (all in Aramaic) portray Belshazzar’s desperate pledge: “Whoever reads this inscription and explains it will be clothed in purple and have a chain of gold placed around his neck, and he will be given authority as the third ruler in the kingdom” (Daniel 5:16). The promised chain on the neck communicates several themes: • Transfer of authority—Gold about the neck, unlike a crown, signals delegated honor rather than intrinsic kingship. For the faithful, Daniel’s acceptance of the chain (verse 29) illustrates that God’s servants may receive temporal honors without compromising allegiance. Daniel’s heart remained unmoved by material reward (verse 17), modeling proper detachment amid courtly splendor. Agrarian Discipline in Hosea Hosea 10:11 shifts the image. The prophet likens complacent Ephraim to “a trained heifer that loves to thresh, but I will spare her fair neck; I will put a yoke on Ephraim”. Here: • The neck embodies the will of the nation. A “fair neck” free from heavy labor has grown self-indulgent. Theological Motifs Associated with the Neck 1. Submission versus Stubbornness—“Stiff-necked” Israel (Exodus 32:9) contrasts with those who “bow the neck” in worship (Nehemiah 9:6). Strong’s 6676 stands inside that wider idiom of yielded or rigid wills. Historical and Cultural Background In the Neo-Babylonian milieu, neck-chains of gold were diplomatic honors signaling high rank second only to the crown. The motif appears in Akkadian sources and iconography where prominent courtiers wear broad torques. Hosea’s farming allusion draws on Iron-Age plowing practices: light threshing required minimal restraint, but heavy plowing demanded a substantial yoke bound by leather across the animal’s neck and shoulders. Ministry Implications • God still adorns faithful service, though outward reward is secondary to inward integrity (Colossians 3:23-24). Summary צַוַּאר unites themes of dignity and discipline. A neck can be garnished with gold or bowed beneath a yoke. In Daniel it shimmers with courtly prestige, in Hosea it feels the press of divine correction. Both images urge modern readers to humble their necks under the sovereign hand of God, trusting Him either to beautify with honor or to harness for holiness according to His wise purpose. Forms and Transliterations צַוְּארֵ֑הּ צַוְּארֵ֔הּ צַוְּארָ֔ךְ צַוָּארָ֑הּ צוארה צוארך ṣaw·wā·rāh ṣaw·wə·rāḵ ṣaw·wə·rêh ṣawwārāh ṣawwərāḵ ṣawwərêh tzavvaRah tzavveRach tzavveRehLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 5:7 HEB: דַהֲבָא֙ עַֽל־ צַוְּארֵ֔הּ וְתַלְתִּ֥י בְמַלְכוּתָ֖א NAS: around his neck, and have authority KJV: about his neck, and shall be the third INT: of gold around his neck and shall be the third the kingdom Daniel 5:16 Daniel 5:29 Hosea 10:11 4 Occurrences |
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