Lexical Summary tsaah: Filth, excrement, dung Original Word: צָעָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance captive exile, travelling, cause to wanderer A primitive root; to tip over (for the purpose of spilling or pouring out), i.e. (figuratively) depopulate; by implication, to imprison or conquer; (reflexive) to lie down (for coitus) -- captive exile, travelling, (cause to) wander(-er). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to stoop, bend, incline NASB Translation exile (1), lain down (1), marching (1), tip (1), tip him over (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [צָעָה] verb stoop, bend, incline (Arabic ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Qal Participle 1 צֹעֶה Isaiah 51:14 one stooping (under a burden), Isaiah 63:1 bending (forward or backward; from abundant strength), but read probably צֹעֵד marching (Lo Gr Che Du Di-Kit and others); feminine אַתְּ צֹעָה זֹּנָה Jeremiah 2:20 (in sensu obscoeno). 2 transitive (= Pi`el q. v.) plural צֹעִים Jeremiah 48:12 men inclining, tipping a vessel, to empty it. Pi`el Perfect3plural suffix וְצֵעֻהוּ Jeremiah 48:12 I will send tippers and they shall tip him over (Moab, under figure of vessel). Topical Lexicon Root Ideaצָעָה gathers around the picture of something bent or tilted from its upright position. From that physical image, the word is applied to (1) a person forced down into captivity, (2) a majestic figure leaning forward in purposeful stride, (3) a person sprawled in immoral abandon, and (4) vessels tilted so that their contents are poured out. Each nuance retains the core thought of a change in posture—either downward in humiliation or forward in determined action. Occurrences and Contexts 1. Isaiah 51:14 – Judah as “the captive” whose body is bowed in chains but who is promised speedy release: “The captive will soon be freed; he will not die in the dungeon, and his bread will not be lacking.” Historical Thread • Assyrian oppression (eighth–seventh centuries BC) supplied the immediate backdrop for Isaiah 51:14. Political captivity illustrated spiritual bondage, and release by Cyrus prefigured messianic redemption. Theological Themes Humiliation and Liberation The term highlights the contrast between enforced bowing (Isaiah 51:14) and the Lord’s pledge of deliverance. The gospel pattern is clear: humanity bowed under sin, Christ freeing the prisoners (Luke 4:18). Majesty in Motion Isaiah 63:1 shows that “bending” need not denote weakness. The Servant-Warrior leans into His stride, emphasizing decisive power. The same root that pictures bondage also magnifies glory when God is the subject. Spiritual Harlotry Jeremiah 2:20 connects the body stretched out on pagan altars with the heart stretched away from God. The bowed posture becomes a moral parable: what the body does in secret reflects the soul’s submission to false gods. Judgment by Pouring Out Jeremiah 48:12 twice uses the participle for “tilters.” Moab’s vessels are forcibly inclined until empty. The prophetic image anticipates the final outpouring of wrath when every proud thing will be laid low (Revelation 16). Ministry Significance Pastoral Consolation Moral Exhortation Christ-Centered Proclamation Eschatological Sobriety Key Insights for Study and Teaching • One Hebrew root can illuminate both abasement and majesty; context, not the lexicon alone, must guide exposition. Summary צָעָה depicts the bending of persons and objects—sometimes through oppression, sometimes through voluntary surrender, sometimes through divine judgment, and supremely in the purposeful stride of the Redeemer. The word calls God’s people to move from forced humiliation to willing humility, from being poured out in judgment to pouring themselves out in worship, and finally to stand upright in the liberty secured by the One “mighty to save.” Forms and Transliterations וְצֵעֻ֑הוּ וצעהו צֹעִ֖ים צֹעֶ֖ה צֹעָ֥ה צעה צעים ṣō‘āh ṣō‘eh ṣō‘îm ṣō·‘āh ṣō·‘eh ṣō·‘îm tzoAh tzoEh tzoIm vetzeUhu wə·ṣê·‘u·hū wəṣê‘uhūLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Isaiah 51:14 HEB: מִהַ֥ר צֹעֶ֖ה לְהִפָּתֵ֑חַ וְלֹא־ NAS: The exile will soon be set free, KJV: The captive exile hasteneth INT: will soon the exile be set nor Isaiah 63:1 Jeremiah 2:20 Jeremiah 48:12 Jeremiah 48:12 5 Occurrences |