Lexical Summary tsiyyi: Desert-dweller, wild beast, or creature of the desert. Original Word: צִיִּי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance wild beast of the desert, that dwell in inhabiting the wilderness From the same as tsiyah; a desert-dweller, i.e. Nomad or wild beast -- wild beast of the desert, that dwell in (inhabiting) the wilderness. see HEBREW tsiyah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originthe same as tsi, q.v. Brown-Driver-Briggs II. [צִי] noun masculineJeremiah 50:39 a wild beast, properly either desert-dweller (denominative from צִיָּה, so most), or crier, yelper (√ *צוה =  [yelp, Dozy], BaNB 188, compare Ew§ 146 g, note); — in any case a specific animal, but not certainly identified; BoHieroz. i, lib. 3, § 14, compare Arabic  wild cat; — plural צִיִּים Isaiah 13:21 (feminine אִיִּים Isaiah 13:22), Isaiah 23:13; Isaiah 34:14 (+ אִיִּים), Jeremiah 50:39 (id.; all betokening desolation); ׳לְעַם לְצ Psalm 74:14 (read ׳לְעַם צ Hup-Now Bae); apparently of people Psalm 72:9, but probably corrupt, Ol conjectures צָרִים ("" אֹיְבָיו), and so most moderns. Topical Lexicon Desert Creatures as Symbols of Desolation Tsiyyî portrays the untamed life that inhabits emptied places. When a city or empire falls under divine judgment, Scripture often pictures the conquered terrain as ceded to these desert dwellers. Their haunting presence heightens the sense of abandonment, reminding readers that rebellion against the LORD leaves no lasting habitation for human pride. Occurrences in Scripture • Psalm 72:9 depicts kingship reaching “from sea to sea,” so that even “desert dwellers bow before Him.” The word contrasts hostile wilderness life with the peaceful reign of Messiah: even the most remote and rugged will submit. Historical and Geographic Context The ancient Near East included vast arid zones where nomads and wild animals roamed beyond settled life. Prophets exploited this contrast: the cultivated city represented human achievement; the surrounding wilderness embodied chaos restrained only by God. When judgment removed divine restraint, wilderness rushed back. Archaeology confirms that many of these sites became ruin mounds surrounded by arid land—fulfilling the imagery. Intertextual Significance 1. Covenant Curses: Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28 warned that sin would turn fruitful land into waste. Tsiyyî appearances echo those covenant sanctions. Theological Themes • Sovereign Judgment: The LORD alone controls who inhabits a land. When He removes a nation, even scavengers testify to His verdict. Practical and Ministry Applications 1. Preaching: Tsiyyî imagery vividly warns congregations against complacency. Earthly success can vanish overnight without obedience. Summary Tsiyyî, though sparse in occurrence, weaves a consistent biblical thread: God’s judgments turn proud realms into wilderness inhabited by creatures that thrive where human settlement has collapsed; yet the same wilderness bows before the coming universal King. The word thus functions as sobering warning and subtle promise, directing eyes toward the Righteous Ruler whose reign alone secures lasting habitation. Forms and Transliterations לְצִיִּ֑ים לְצִיִּֽים׃ לציים לציים׃ צִיִּ֑ים צִיִּ֔ים צִיִּים֙ ציים lə·ṣî·yîm ləṣîyîm letziYim ṣî·yîm ṣîyîm tziYimLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 72:9 HEB: לְ֭פָנָיו יִכְרְע֣וּ צִיִּ֑ים וְ֝אֹיְבָ֗יו עָפָ֥ר KJV: They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow INT: before bow the wilderness and his enemies the dust Psalm 74:14 Isaiah 13:21 Isaiah 23:13 Isaiah 34:14 Jeremiah 50:39 6 Occurrences |
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