Lexical Summary tsuq: poured, smelted Original Word: צוּק Strong's Exhaustive Concordance be molten, pour A primitive root (identical with tsuwq through the idea of narrowness (of orifice)); to pour out, i.e. (figuratively) smelt, utter -- be molten, pour. see HEBREW tsuwq NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to pour out, melt NASB Translation poured (1), smelted (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs II. [צוּק] verb pour out, melt ("" יצק); — Qal Perfect3plural (according to Thes and others) צָקוּן Isaiah 26:16, but see below; Imperfect3masculine singular וְאֶבֶן יָצוּק נְחוּשָׁה Job 28:2 (read perhaps יָצוּקוּ, see Bu) and stone (ore, men) melt it into copper; צוּר יָצוּק עִמָּדִי מַּלְגֵישָֿׁ֑מֶן Job 29:6 the rock used to pour out beside me streams of oil. — Isaiah 26:16 (as above) must mean they poured out (uttered) a whisper (לַחַשׁ; i. e. prayer); but form most improbable; Koppe Gr Di Du and others propose צְקוֺן לַחַשׁ (from assumed צָקוֺן, I. צוק) = constraint of (like that of) magic; < Houb Kit צָֽעֲקוּ בְלַחַץ ׳וגו, or CheHpt צָעַקְנוּ מִלַּחַץ כִּי מוּסָֽרְךָ לָנוּ. Topical Lexicon Semantic Range and Literary Nuance The verb צ֫וּק (tsuq) is deliberately chosen by the biblical writers whenever a solid is forced—by heat, pressure or need—into a liquid or semi-liquid state so it can flow. The term always carries an undertone of transition under stress and therefore becomes a powerful metaphor for God’s work in both the material and spiritual realms. Metallurgical Refinement: Job 28:2 “Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore.” (Job 28:2) Here tsuq depicts the smelter’s furnace reducing stubborn rock to molten metal. Job’s wisdom poem contrasts human ingenuity in mining with humanity’s inability to locate true wisdom apart from the fear of the LORD. The verb highlights that even the most impressive human processes rely on the principle of pressure-induced transformation—a principle God Himself employs when refining His people (Malachi 3:3; 1 Peter 1:6-7). Abundant Provision: Job 29:6 “...and the rock poured out for me streams of oil!” (Job 29:6) During Job’s former days of prosperity, the limestone crags of the Judean hills are pictured as yielding olive oil as freely as water. The same verb that described ore melting in the furnace now pictures solid rock releasing its wealth. The image suggests that when God’s favor rests on the righteous, even the most unpromising circumstances become conduits of blessing (Deuteronomy 32:13). Prayer Under Pressure: Isaiah 26:16 “O LORD, they sought You in their distress; they poured out a whispered prayer when Your discipline was upon them.” (Isaiah 26:16) Isaiah applies tsuq to the anguished intercession of a chastened nation. Just as ore liquefies in the furnace and olive oil flows from crushed fruit, so contrite prayer is expressed most fervently when the heart is pressed by divine discipline. This verse deepens the theological trajectory: the same dynamics that convert rock to metal and oil likewise convert pride to humble dependence (Psalm 119:67, 71). Theological Synthesis 1. Transformation through Heat and Pressure: All three occurrences associate tsuq with a force that changes the state of something valuable, pointing to God’s sovereign use of trials to refine character (James 1:2-4). Ministry Implications • Preaching and Teaching: Tsuk offers a vivid picture for sermons on sanctification—God heats, presses, and disciplines not to destroy but to release what brings Him glory. Conclusion צ֫וּק encapsulates the biblical conviction that pressure-induced change, though often painful, is ordained by God to draw forth purity, abundance, and heartfelt prayer in His people, assuring them that every furnace He appoints ultimately advances His redemptive design. Forms and Transliterations יָצ֥וּק יצוק צָק֣וּן צקון ṣā·qūn ṣāqūn tzaKun yā·ṣūq yāṣūq yaTzukLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 28:2 HEB: יֻקָּ֑ח וְ֝אֶ֗בֶן יָצ֥וּק נְחוּשָֽׁה׃ NAS: And copper is smelted from rock. KJV: and brass [is] molten [out of] the stone. INT: is taken rock is smelted and copper Job 29:6 Isaiah 26:16 3 Occurrences |
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