Lexical Summary tselel: Shadow, shade Original Word: צֵלֶל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance shadow From tsalal; shade -- shadow. see HEBREW tsalal NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originthe same as tsel, q.v. Topical Lexicon Overview צֵלֶל (ṣēlel) denotes a deep or intensified shadow. The term appears four times, each instance depicting shade that is either welcome or ominous, thereby enriching Scripture’s theology of light and darkness. Occurrences and Narrative Settings 1. Job 40:22 – Creation’s grandeur: “The lotus plants conceal him in their shadow; the poplars of the brook surround him.” Shadows as Habitat and Provision In Job, ṣēlel describes the luxuriant shade that shelters Behemoth. The picture of a massive creature resting securely under foliage underscores the Creator’s thoughtful provision. The depth of the shade magnifies divine care; even the mightiest beast depends on God-given cover. Psalm 91:1 echoes the motif: “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.” Shade signifies safety amid overwhelming forces. Shadows as Symbol of Transience and Romance The Song of Songs uses the plural “shadows” to portray fleeting gloom. Dawn will dispel them, so the lovers’ separation is only temporary. The poetry thereby celebrates hope: night cannot endure before covenant love and approaching light. Transience teaches that present hardships—whether distance or spiritual darkness—will retreat before the Morning Star (2 Peter 1:19). Shadows as Portent of Judgment Jeremiah employs ṣēlel in the prophetic warning against Jerusalem. The “evening shadows” lengthen, signaling the sun’s decline and Babylon’s advance. What is tranquil in Job becomes threatening here, illustrating the moral dimension of shade. The same Creator who comforts can also darken the sky in righteous discipline (Amos 5:18). Theological Themes 1. Dependence: All creatures, from Behemoth to human lovers, seek relief from scorching heat. Shade depicts humanity’s need for divine covering. Christological Reflection Messiah embodies both refuge and sunrise. His cross is the place of shade—“the sun failed, and darkness came over the whole land” (Luke 23:45)—yet His resurrection is the dawn that makes shadows flee. Revelation 22:5 promises, “There will be no more night,” fulfilling the imagery of Song of Songs. Practical Ministry Applications • Pastoral Care: Encourage weary saints to find rest “in the shadow of the Almighty,” as Job’s Behemoth instinctively does. Conclusion צֵלֶל masterfully portrays the ambivalence of shadow: comfort for the faithful, foreboding for the defiant. Each occurrence invites the reader to seek the true and everlasting Light while gratefully resting under His protective shade. Forms and Transliterations הַצְּלָלִ֑ים הצללים צִֽלֲל֑וֹ צִלְלֵי־ צללו צללי־ haṣ·ṣə·lā·lîm haṣṣəlālîm hatztzelaLim ṣi·lă·lōw ṣil·lê- ṣilălōw ṣillê- tzilaLo tzilleiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 40:22 HEB: יְסֻכֻּ֣הוּ צֶאֱלִ֣ים צִֽלֲל֑וֹ יְ֝סֻבּ֗וּהוּ עַרְבֵי־ KJV: cover him [with] their shadow; the willows INT: cover the lotus him their shadow surround the willows Songs 2:17 Songs 4:6 Jeremiah 6:4 4 Occurrences |
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