6732. Tsits

Lexical Summary

Tsits: Ziz

Original Word: צִיץ
Part of Speech: Proper Name Location
Transliteration: Tsiyts
Pronunciation: tseets
Phonetic Spelling: (tseets)
KJV: Ziz
NASB: Ziz
Word Origin: [the same as H6731 (צִּיצּ צִּץ - Blossom)]

1. bloom
2. Tsits, a place in Israel

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Ziz

The same as tsiyts; bloom; Tsits, a place in Palestine -- Ziz.

see HEBREW tsiyts

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from the same as tsits
Definition
a pass between the Dead Sea and Jer.
NASB Translation
Ziz (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

III. צִיץ proper name, of a location in ׳מַעֲלֵה הַצּ2Chronicles 20:16; ה perhaps radical, compare Wady „aƒâƒâ and plateau „aƒâƒâ, north of Engedi, Buhl^{Geogr. 97}; ᵐ5 Ασαε ᵐ5^L τῆς έζοχῆς Ασισα.

Topical Lexicon

Geographic Setting

The Ascent of Ziz was a steep, winding pass that rose from the western shore of the Dead Sea toward the Judean highlands. Its exact location is uncertain, but its proximity to En Gedi and the Wilderness of Jeruel places it on the southeast approaches to Judah, where the barren cliffs give way to the hill country. In ancient times this route offered one of the few practicable ways for desert tribes to climb from the Rift Valley up to the fortified towns of Judah.

Biblical Narrative Context

The only canonical mention occurs in 2 Chronicles 20:16 during the reign of King Jehoshaphat. After Moab, Ammon, and the Meunites formed a coalition against Judah, the king proclaimed a fast and sought the LORD. God answered through Jahaziel, directing the nation to position itself by the Ascent of Ziz:

“Tomorrow march down against them. Behold, they will be coming up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley, facing the Wilderness of Jeruel.” (2 Chronicles 20:16)

The pass thus became the stage on which Judah witnessed divine deliverance. While the army obeyed the command to assemble, the LORD caused the invaders to destroy one another, leaving Judah to gather spoil without lifting a sword (2 Chronicles 20:22-25).

Historical and Military Significance

1. Strategic choke-point
• Armies moving from the Rift Valley had to funnel through narrow wadis and terraces, making them vulnerable to ambush or blockade. The LORD’s instruction to Judah to meet the enemy there underscores both His military wisdom and His sovereignty over the terrain.
2. Natural surveillance post
• From the ridge above the pass, scouts could monitor movement along the valley floor and send word to Jerusalem. This explains how early warning reached Jehoshaphat that the coalition was already “in Hazazon Tamar (that is, En Gedi)” (2 Chronicles 20:2).
3. Economic route
• Shepherds and traders used the same ascent to reach Tekoa and Bethlehem. Control of Ziz meant control of the trade flowing between the Dead Sea basin and Judah’s interior.

Theological and Symbolic Reflections

1. Divine foreknowledge and guidance
• By naming the pass in advance, the LORD demonstrated comprehensive knowledge of enemy plans. His people needed only to trust and obey.
2. The valley of decision
• Judah’s march to Ziz mirrors the believer’s call to face spiritual opposition not in human strength but in faith. “You do not need to fight this battle. Take your positions, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD” (2 Chronicles 20:17).
3. From barrenness to blessing
• The rocky heights around Ziz contrast with the lush spoil Judah collected afterward. The scene illustrates how God can turn apparent desolation into abundance when His people rely on Him.

Lessons for Ministry and Faith

• Seek God first. Jehoshaphat’s instinct was to pray and proclaim a fast before considering any military response (2 Chronicles 20:3-4).
• Listen to prophetic counsel. Jahaziel’s word aligned with earlier promises of covenant protection, reinforcing confidence in Scripture.
• Obedience precedes victory. Judah still had to march all night to reach the pass; faith does not cancel disciplined action.
• Worship as warfare. The Levitical singers were appointed to praise “the splendor of His holiness” (2 Chronicles 20:21), and their worship preceded the enemy’s collapse.

Related Passages

Exodus 14:13-14; Psalm 46:10-11; Isaiah 30:15; Romans 8:31-39. Each reinforces the pattern seen at Ziz: God fights for those who rest in His word and respond in faith.

Enduring Relevance

Though mentioned only once, Ziz exemplifies how Scripture weaves geography, history, and theology into a single testimony of God’s faithfulness. Every believer faces “ascents of Ziz”—moments where obedience must meet opposition. The narrative assures the Church that God still directs His people with pinpoint accuracy and grants victory that magnifies His glory.

Forms and Transliterations

הַצִּ֑יץ הציץ haṣ·ṣîṣ haṣṣîṣ hatzTzitz

Englishman's Concordance

2 Chronicles 20:16
HEB: עֹלִ֖ים בְּמַעֲלֵ֣ה הַצִּ֑יץ וּמְצָאתֶ֤ם אֹתָם֙
NAS: up by the ascent of Ziz, and you will find
KJV: by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find
INT: will come the ascent of Ziz will find the end

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 6732
1 Occurrence

haṣ·ṣîṣ — 1 Occ.