Lexical Summary tsaan: To wander, to move about Original Word: צָעַן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance be taken down A primitive root; to load up (beasts), i.e. To migrate -- be taken down. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to wander, travel NASB Translation folded (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [צָעַן] verb wander, travel (Arabic  journey, go away; probably connected with Assyrian ƒênu, Ethiopic  , Aramaic טְעַן, Palmyrene טען, all load (beast, etc.) = Hebrew טָעַן Genesis 45:17; Aramaic טְעַן,  also bear, carry); — Qal Imperfect3masculine singular יִצְעָן Isaiah 33:20 travel, i. e. be removed, of tent (+ יִסַּע). Topical Lexicon Canonical Setting צָעַן appears once in the Old Testament, in Isaiah 33:20. There the prophet bids Judah, “Look upon Zion, the city of our appointed feasts… a tent that will not be moved; its stakes will never be pulled up, nor will any of its cords be broken” (Berean Standard Bible). The verb, negated by “will not,” underscores the divine pledge that Zion’s dwelling-place cannot be dismantled. Historical Background Isaiah ministered during a period of Assyrian aggression. Jerusalem’s citizens had seen northern cities deported and southern towns ravaged (Isaiah 36–37). Against that backdrop, any tent could be uprooted in a moment’s notice, so the image of an immovable tent declared the Lord’s unparalleled guardianship over His covenant people and their worship center. Imagery of the Tent 1. Pilgrimage: Israel’s sacred calendar required thrice-yearly ascent to “the city of our appointed feasts” (Exodus 23:14–17). A secure tent ensured uninterrupted worship. Theological Themes • Divine Preservation: The un-dismantled tent proclaims that Yahweh, not political alliances, is Judah’s defense (Psalm 46:4–5). Christological Fulfillment John presents Jesus as the Word who “tabernacled among us” (John 1:14). The permanence promised in Isaiah finds ultimate realization in Christ, “a high priest forever” (Hebrews 7:24). His resurrection guarantees a kingdom “that cannot be shaken” (Hebrews 12:28). Intertextual Links • Psalm 125:1 – Those who trust in the Lord “cannot be moved.” Ministry and Pastoral Implications 1. Assurance: Believers, like Zion’s tent, are secured by divine promise; salvation is neither temporary nor fragile (John 10:28). Practical Application • Leaders can encourage congregations facing instability: God’s dwelling among His people stands firm despite cultural upheaval. Summary צָעַן’s solitary usage powerfully conveys Zion’s indestructibility. In Isaiah’s day it fortified beleaguered Judah; in every generation it assures the faithful that the Lord’s presence, promises, and purposes remain immovable, climaxing in the eternal, unshaken reign of the Messiah. Forms and Transliterations יִצְעָן֙ יצען yiṣ‘ān yiṣ·‘ān yitzAnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Isaiah 33:20 HEB: אֹ֤הֶל בַּל־ יִצְעָן֙ בַּל־ יִסַּ֤ע NAS: A tent which will not be folded; Its stakes KJV: a tabernacle [that] shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes INT: A tent Nor will not be folded Nor be pulled 1 Occurrence |
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