Lexical Summary tsarach: To cry out, to shout Original Word: צָרַח Strong's Exhaustive Concordance cry, roar A primitive root; to be clear (in tone, i.e. Shrill), i.e. To whoop -- cry, roar. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to cry, roar NASB Translation cries (1), raise a war cry (1), war cry (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs I. צָרַח verb cry, roar (Late Hebrew id., cry (of raven); Assyrian ƒarâ—u, cry aloud, Arabic  Ethiopic  ᵑ7 צְרַח Aph`el (of bear), Syriac  especially Aph`el and derivatives ); — Qal Participle active מַר צֹרֵחַ שָׁם גִּבּוֺר Zephaniah 1:14 bitterly roareth there a hero, but abrupt in context and improbable; Gr (in part after ᵐ5) conjectures יִצְרַח כַּגִּבּוֺר ׳קוֺל י (compare Hiph`il). Hiph`il Imperfect3masculine singular יַצְרִיחַ Isaiah 42:13 utter a roar (of ׳י, going to battle; "" יָרִיעַ). II. צרח (√ of following; compare Arabic Topical Lexicon Overview of the Verb in Scripture צָרַח appears only twice in the Old Testament, each time portraying a sudden, forceful shout that breaks silence at decisive moments of divine intervention. In both contexts the cry is not human lament but the thunderous voice of a Warrior–King whose appearance changes history. Connection to the Divine Warrior Motif (Isaiah 42:13) Isaiah 42 moves from the quiet gentleness of the Servant (verses 1-12) to the startling intensity of the LORD Himself: “The LORD will march forth like a mighty man; He will stir up His zeal like a warrior. He will shout; indeed, He will raise a war cry. He will prevail against His enemies.” (Isaiah 42:13) Here צָרַח frames Yahweh’s zeal. The shout signals the moment He rises from apparent inactivity, overturning the assumption that He is distant. Historically this passage comforted exiles who wondered whether the covenant God still fought for them. In ministry today the verse assures believers that periods of divine silence do not equal divine absence; when the appointed time comes, God’s intervention is unmistakable and unstoppable. Prophetic Warning and the Day of the LORD (Zephaniah 1:14) “The great Day of the LORD is near—near and coming quickly. Listen, the cry of the Day of the LORD; the mighty warrior cries out bitterly.” (Zephaniah 1:14) Zephaniah uses the same verb to announce imminent judgment. The cry here is not a victory shout but an agonized roar against covenant-breaking Judah and the nations. The bitter tone underscores that judgment is both righteous and grievous. Pastors can draw on this to balance the message of grace with the sobering reality of accountability. Theology of Shouting in Worship and Warfare Scripture often associates vocal intensity with decisive spiritual moments (for example, Joshua 6:5; Psalm 47:1; Revelation 19:1). צָרַח contributes to this pattern by portraying the LORD Himself raising the battle cry. Worship that includes heartfelt proclamation mirrors heaven’s own dynamics: God’s people shout for joy because God first shouts in triumph. Christological Implications New Testament writers present Jesus Christ as the conquering Warrior who defeats sin, death, and the powers of darkness (Colossians 2:15; Revelation 19:11-16). Isaiah’s portrayal anticipates this revelation. The Servant who does not break a bruised reed (Isaiah 42:3) is also the Warrior who will not rest until justice fills the earth. His victory shout guarantees that the meek will inherit a world secured by divine might. Practical Ministry Applications • Assurance in Spiritual Warfare: Believers facing opposition can remember that the decisive cry has already been uttered; the outcome is settled in Christ’s favor. Personal Devotion and Prayer Meditating on the LORD’s shout shapes prayer into confident petition. One may conclude times of intercession with verbal praise that echoes the certainty of divine victory: “Lord, You who have shouted once will shout again; therefore I trust You with today’s battles.” Summary צָרַח punctuates redemptive history with the thunderclap of divine resolve—once to comfort, once to warn, always to assert the sovereignty of God. Whether anticipating final judgment or celebrating accomplished salvation, the believer can rest in the assurance that when God raises His voice, every enemy falters and every promise stands firm. Forms and Transliterations יַצְרִ֔יחַ יצריח צֹרֵ֖חַ צרח ṣō·rê·aḥ ṣōrêaḥ tzoReach yaṣ·rî·aḥ yaṣrîaḥ yatzRiachLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Isaiah 42:13 HEB: יָרִ֙יעַ֙ אַף־ יַצְרִ֔יחַ עַל־ אֹיְבָ֖יו NAS: yes, He will raise a war cry. He will prevail KJV: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail INT: will utter yes will raise against his enemies Zephaniah 1:14 2 Occurrences |
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dig a 
, also cleave the ground, rend open; 
sepulchral chamber (with niches for bodies); Nabataean צריחה (compare Nö in EutNab. Inschr. 55 DrSm. 76)).