Lexical Summary tsarab: To scorch, burn, or dry up Original Word: צָרַב Strong's Exhaustive Concordance burn A primitive root; to burn -- burn. Brown-Driver-Briggs [צָרַב] verb burn, scorch (Assyrian ƒarâbu, burn; FräZa iii. 52 BaEs 32 compare Arabic  be kindled, blaze;; compare also זרב); — Niph`al Perfect 3 plural consecutive וְנִצְרְבוּ Ezekiel 21:3 all faces shall be scorched. Topical Lexicon Biblical Usage צָרַב appears once and vividly conveys the effect of an all-consuming flame: “every face from south to north will be scorched by it” (Ezekiel 20:47). The verb pictures a searing heat that leaves an unmistakable mark—both literal and figurative—upon everything it touches. Context in Ezekiel 20:47 Ezekiel, prophesying to the exiles in Babylon, is instructed to address “the forest of the Negev.” This metaphor points to the leaders and people of Judah who presumed themselves secure. The promised conflagration would reach “every green tree and every dry tree,” a phrase emphasizing the totality of judgment. By declaring that every face would be “scorched,” the prophet underscores the inescapable, impartial nature of divine wrath on covenant breakers. Historical Background The oracle dates to the years preceding Jerusalem’s fall (circa 591–588 BC). Political alliances, idolatry, and covenant infidelity had hardened Judah. Babylonian pressure loomed, yet the people dismissed the prophetic warnings. Ezekiel’s graphic language—using צָרַב—served as a final alarm: destruction would not be a mere political setback but a purifying fire ordained by the LORD. Prophetic Imagery of Fire 1. Judgment: Fire throughout Scripture signals God’s righteous intervention (Genesis 19:24; Isaiah 66:15). Theological Significance • Holiness and Wrath—The scorching flame manifests God’s holiness intolerant of sin (Deuteronomy 4:24). Christological and Eschatological Connections At the cross, Christ endured the full heat of divine wrath, satisfying justice for all who believe (Romans 3:25). For the unrepentant, the coming Day of the Lord will bring the ultimate fulfillment of Ezekiel’s fiery warning (2 Thessalonians 1:8). Believers, meanwhile, experience sanctifying fire that refines character (1 Peter 1:7). Implications for Ministry • Preaching—Proclaim both the severity and kindness of God (Romans 11:22), urging repentance before the fire falls. Personal Application Ezekiel’s imagery invites self-examination. Are there “dry trees” of unconfessed sin needing removal before the conflagration? The promise of cleansing in Jesus Christ empowers believers to yield willingly to the Spirit’s purifying work. Related Scriptures Deuteronomy 5:24; Isaiah 33:14; Malachi 3:2; Matthew 3:11–12; Hebrews 12:29; Revelation 1:14. Forms and Transliterations וְנִצְרְבוּ־ ונצרבו־ venitzrevu wə·niṣ·rə·ḇū- wəniṣrəḇū-Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezekiel 20:47 HEB: לַהֶ֣בֶת שַׁלְהֶ֔בֶת וְנִצְרְבוּ־ בָ֥הּ כָּל־ NAS: to north will be burned by it. KJV: to the north shall be burned therein. INT: the blazing flame will be burned and the whole surface 1 Occurrence |
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