Lexical Summary tslatsal: Whirring, buzzing, or tinkling sound Original Word: צְלָצַל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance cymbal, locust, shadowing, spear From tsalal reduplicated; a clatter, i.e. (abstractly) whirring (of wings); (concretely) a cricket; also a harpoon (as rattling), a cymbal (as clanging) -- cymbal, locust, shadowing, spear. see HEBREW tsalal Brown-Driver-Briggs I. [צִלְצָל] noun [masculine] whirring, buzzing; — construct אֶרֶץ צִלְצַל כְּנָפָ֑יִם Isaiah 18:1 land of buzzing of (insects ') wings (so probably; other views see in Di). II. [צִלְצָל] noun [masculine] spear (from whizzing); — construct צִלְצַל דָּגִים Job 40:31 fish-spear, harpoon. צְלָצַ֑ל noun masculine a whirring locust (compare Assyrian ƒarƒaru, Arabic צֶלְצְלִים noun masculine plural musical instrument of percussion, cymbals (with clashing sound; Late Hebrew צֶלְצַל, Aramaic צֶלְצְלִין, Topical Lexicon צְלָצַל Range of Meaning and Imagery The noun embraces both sound and motion. It can denote a swarm of locusts whose wings create a relentless buzz, metallic weapons that pierce with a ringing thrust, and musical instruments whose clear tones resound in praise. Behind each usage lies the idea of a sharp, repetitive vibration—whether heard in the air, felt on the battlefield, or expressed in worship. Occurrences in Scripture Deuteronomy 28:42; 2 Samuel 6:5; Job 41:7; Psalm 150:5 (twice); Isaiah 18:1. Instrument of Judgment in Deuteronomy In the covenant warnings Moses declares, “Swarms of locusts will consume all your trees and the crops of your land” (Deuteronomy 28:42). Here צְלָצַל pictures a devouring army dispatched by the LORD to discipline covenant breakers. The unnerving drone of countless wings becomes an audible reminder that sin brings loss and desolation. The verse underlines God’s sovereign control over nature as an agent of reproof. Harpoons and the Taming of Leviathan Job 41:7 asks, “Can you fill his hide with harpoons or his head with fishing spears?”. The sharp, ringing implement evokes human ingenuity brought to nothing before the Creator’s majestic sea creature. צְלָצַל, whether rendered “harpoons” or “barbed irons,” underscores the futility of mere human weaponry set against divine workmanship. The passage magnifies God’s supremacy and exposes the proud pretensions of man. Sacred Music in Davidic Worship When David transfers the ark, “David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD with all kinds of instruments… harps, lyres, tambourines, sistrums, and cymbals” (2 Samuel 6:5). צְלָצַל, translated “cymbals,” signals a sanctioned exuberance. The clear metallic clash calls the gathered community to unified jubilation, announcing the presence of God among His people and modeling wholehearted, body-engaging praise. Final Doxology of the Psalter Twice in the climactic hymn we read, “Praise Him with clashing cymbals, praise Him with resounding cymbals” (Psalm 150:5). The repetition of צְלָצַל intensifies the summons to total praise. All breath, every instrument, every register of sound must be marshalled to honor the LORD. The word’s onomatopoeic nature lets the very sound of Scripture echo the act it commands, closing the Psalms with ringing joy. Prophetic Resonance in Isaiah Isaiah pronounces, “Woe to the land of whirring wings along the rivers of Cush” (Isaiah 18:1). The “whirring” suggests either insect swarms or the beating of wings from armies and messengers. In context, צְלָצַל warns distant nations that their restless activity cannot escape God’s oversight. The imagery establishes a global stage on which the LORD alone directs the destinies of peoples. Theological and Ministry Insights • God employs the same phenomenon—sharp, ringing vibration—as both warning and worship. Judgment (locusts) and praise (cymbals) spring from His hand and must be interpreted through His revealed will. From locust wing to temple cymbal, צְלָצַל reminds the reader that every sound in creation is ultimately called to serve the glory of the LORD. Forms and Transliterations בְּֽצִלְצְלֵ֥י בְצִלְצְלֵי־ בצלצלי בצלצלי־ הַצְּלָצַֽל׃ הצלצל׃ וּֽבְצֶלְצֶלִֽים׃ וּבְצִלְצַ֖ל ובצלצל ובצלצלים׃ צִלְצַ֣ל צלצל bə·ṣil·ṣə·lê ḇə·ṣil·ṣə·lê- bəṣilṣəlê ḇəṣilṣəlê- betziltzeLei haṣ·ṣə·lā·ṣal haṣṣəlāṣal hatztzelaTzal ṣil·ṣal ṣilṣal tzilTzal ū·ḇə·ṣel·ṣe·lîm ū·ḇə·ṣil·ṣal ūḇəṣelṣelîm ūḇəṣilṣal UvetzeltzeLim uvetzilTzal vetziltzeleiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Deuteronomy 28:42 HEB: אַדְמָתֶ֑ךָ יְיָרֵ֖שׁ הַצְּלָצַֽל׃ NAS: The cricket shall possess all KJV: of thy land shall the locust consume. INT: of your ground shall possess the cricket 2 Samuel 6:5 Job 41:7 Psalm 150:5 Psalm 150:5 Isaiah 18:1 6 Occurrences |
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, Syriac 
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; Lag Ges. Abh. 145, N. 9); — 
); — ׳צ