Lexical Summary tsiy: Ship, fleet Original Word: צִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance ship From tsavah; a ship (as a fixture) -- ship. see HEBREW tsavah Brown-Driver-Briggs I. צִי noun masculineIsaiah 33:21 ship (loan-word from Egyptian t'a£, according to Bondi66, compare ErmanZMG xivi (1892),123 DHMVOJ viii. 7, 165); — absolute צִי אַדִּיר Isaiah 33:21 a majestic ship; plural צִים Numbers 24:24 (JE), Ezekiel 30:9 (׳בַּצּ; but ᵐ5 σπεύδοντες, compare ᵑ6, whence Co Berthol אָצִים). צִיּים, צִים see I, II. ׳צִ. צִין proper name, of a locationsee צִן צִינֹק see צנק. צִיעֹר see צער. ציף see II. צוּף. I. צִיץ צִיצָה v, I.[[צוּץ]. Topical Lexicon Principal imagery צִי portrays the seagoing vessel—whether a lone ship or a fleet—standing for maritime movement, international commerce, and military projection. Scripture uses the term sparingly, yet each occurrence locates the vessel at a theological crossroads where human power meets the sovereignty of the LORD. Distribution in Scripture • Numbers 24:24 From Balaam’s oracle on the plains of Moab to Daniel’s vision in Persia, the word appears only where the horizon widens beyond Israel’s borders, underscoring the reach of Gentile power and the ultimate supremacy of God over the nations. Vehicles of foreign intervention Numbers 24:24 and Daniel 11:30 bracket Israel’s history with a single motif: “Ships of Kittim.” In Balaam’s prophecy “ships will come from the coast of Kittim and overwhelm Asshur and Eber” (Numbers 24:24), announcing a future incursion of distant seafarers who will humble ancient superpowers. Daniel revisits the same expression when “Ships of Kittim will come against him” (Daniel 11:30), thwarting the ambitions of the northern king. Many scholars identify Kittim with Cyprus and, by extension, the maritime West—first Phoenician and Greek fleets, then Rome. In both passages צִי becomes a tangible sign that the rise and fall of empires lies in God’s hand. Messengers of judgment Ezekiel 30:9 situates the word in a vision of Egypt’s downfall: “Messengers will go out from Me in ships to frighten carefree Cush.” The vessel here is an agent of divine summons, rousing distant nations to witness the LORD’s judgment on Egypt. The image recalls the flood-waters of Noah and the locust storm of Joel—creation’s forces marshaled to execute righteous verdicts. Contrast with Zion’s security Isaiah 33:21 paints an eschatological Jerusalem surrounded by “rivers and wide canals, where no galley with oars will go, and no majestic ship will pass.” By denying צִי access to the holy city, the prophet highlights two truths: first, God Himself is the river that sustains Zion; second, human might—symbolized by the imposing warship—is powerless to breach His defenses. The absence of the ship underscores the presence of the King (Isaiah 33:22). Historical horizons 1. Mediterranean expansion: Phoenicians, Greeks, and later Romans dominated the sea lanes. Their fleets carried commerce, culture, and conquest, fulfilling Balaam’s sketch of western intrusion. Theological themes • Sovereignty: God summons, redirects, or restrains the ships according to His purpose (Proverbs 21:1). Ministry reflections 1. Trust God’s global reach: The same hand that governs distant fleets guides the believer’s personal voyage (Psalm 107:23-31). Summary Though occurring only four times, צִי anchors pivotal prophetic scenes, revealing maritime power as both instrument and foil of divine rule. The word invites readers to lift their eyes from local concerns to the sweep of redemptive history, where every vessel, empire, and era moves under the command of the LORD of hosts. Forms and Transliterations בַּצִּ֔ים בצים וְצִ֥י וְצִים֙ וצי וצים צִיִּ֤ים ציים baṣ·ṣîm baṣṣîm batzTzim ṣî·yîm ṣîyîm tziYim veTzi veTzim wə·ṣî wə·ṣîm wəṣî wəṣîmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 24:24 HEB: וְצִים֙ מִיַּ֣ד כִּתִּ֔ים NAS: But ships [shall come] from the coast KJV: And ships [shall come] from the coast INT: ships the coast of Kittim Isaiah 33:21 Ezekiel 30:9 Daniel 11:30 4 Occurrences |
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