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צוּר

𐤑𐤅𐤓

tsûwr

H6697 noun

SILEX Entry

Root צור to press, bind, confine, form by pressure

Definition

A large mass of rock, rock formation, or rocky cliff; by extension, something strong, enduring, or reliable. In metaphorical contexts, denotes a source of security, steadfast protection, or unyielding strength.

Semantic Range

rock, large stone, cliff, rocky height, edge or precipice, source of protection, refuge, strength, steadfastness, metaphor for deity in poetry, place-name designation

Root / Etymology

From the root צוּר (ts-w-r), meaning 'to press, bind, form, or fashion by pressure or confinement.' The substantive derives from the concrete image of a rock or cliff shaped by natural compression, extending semantically to denote strength and security. The lexical meaning of צוּר is not limited to geological formations but includes metaphorical applications based on the concepts of strength and reliability.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, צוּר primarily denotes a prominent rocky height, cliff, or massive stone outcropping, an easily recognizable feature in the Levantine landscape. In poetic and metaphorical passages, especially in Deuteronomy, Samuel, Psalms, and Isaiah, צוּר serves as a metaphor for steadfastness, security, and unassailability, often applied to the deity of Israel as the unshakable protector and source of refuge for the people. English translations frequently render metaphorical uses as 'rock,' but this sometimes fails to capture the nuance of impenetrable defense and lasting endurance implied. The term is distinct from other Hebrew words for rock, such as סֶלַע (sela‘), which can emphasize a cleft or cavern, suggesting shelter or concealment; by contrast, צוּר more directly emphasizes the massiveness and reliability of the rock itself. The term is also occasionally used for boundary edges or sharp (precipitous) features of the landscape. Usage broadens in poetic strands and later texts, where the metaphor 'Rock' as a designation for the deity becomes conventional. In later periods and translations, such as Greek ὁ πέτρα or Latin rupes, additional nuances may be introduced, including interpretation as a personal or divine title, which should be historically situated. The place-name בית צור (Beit Tsur, 'House of the Rock') in Judah reflects the lexical use as a geographical descriptor. Metaphorical uses that are rendered as 'strength' or 'mighty one' in some English traditions reflect ancient Israelite imagery but can obscure the original connection to geological and existential firmness.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or צֻר; from צוּר; properly, a cliff (or sharp rock, as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder; figuratively, a refuge; also an edge (as precipitous); edge, [idiom] (mighty) God (one), rock, [idiom] sharp, stone, [idiom] strength, [idiom] strong. See also בֵּית צוּר.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

צור (ṣ-w-r) — pressing, binding, forming by pressure; firmness, strength

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1049 בֵּית צוּר Rock
H4692 מָצוֹר in the siege
H4693 מָצוֹר besieged stronghold
H4694 מְצוּרָה the fortified places
H6676 צַוַּאר her nape

Word Forms

20 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6697-09 צֽוּר tsur HNcmsa rock Rock 23
H6697-12 צוּרִ֖/י tsuri HNcmsc/Sp1cs my rock my rock 10
H6697-04 הַ/צּוּר֮ hatsur HTd/Ncmsa the rock the rock-mass 9
H6697-13 צֻרִים֙ tsurim HNcmpa flint rock formations 5
H6697-19 וְ/צ֥וּר vetsur HC/Ncmsc and-rock and rock-of 5
H6697-07 לְֽ/צוּר letsur HR/Ncmsc a rock to a rock 4
H6697-03 בְּ/צוּר betsur HR/Ncmsc on a rock in a rock 4
H6697-10 צוּרָ֣/ם tsuram HNcmsc/Sp3mp their rock their rock 3
H6697-08 מִ/צּ֖וּר mitsur HR/Ncmsc from-rock from rock-of 3
H6697-17 בַ/צּ֗וּר vatsur HRd/Ncmsa into the rock in the rock-cliff 2

Occurrences in Scripture

78 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6697-04 Exodus 17:6 הַ/צּוּר֮ hatsur HTd/Ncmsa the rock the rock-mass
H6697-17 Exodus 17:6 בַ/צּ֗וּר vatsur HRd/Ncmsa the rock in the rock-cliff
H6697-04 Exodus 33:21 הַ/צּֽוּר hatsur HTd/Ncmsa the rock the rock-mass
H6697-04 Exodus 33:22 הַ/צּ֑וּר hatsur HTd/Ncmsa of the rock the rock-mass
H6697-13 Numbers 23:9 צֻרִים֙ tsurim HNcmpa of the rocks rock formations
H6697-08 Deuteronomy 8:15 מִ/צּ֖וּר mitsur HR/Ncmsc from the rock from rock-of
H6697-04 Deuteronomy 32:4 הַ/צּוּר֙ hatsur HTd/Ncmsa The Rock the rock-mass
H6697-09 Deuteronomy 32:13 צֽוּר tsur HNcmsa rock Rock
H6697-09 Deuteronomy 32:15 צ֥וּר tsur HNcmsc Rock Rock
H6697-09 Deuteronomy 32:18 צ֥וּר tsur HNcmsa Rock Rock
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