צְבֹאִים
𐤑𐤁𐤀𐤉𐤌
Tsevoim
H6636 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Tsᵉbôʼîym (צְבֹאִים) is a proper noun referring to various place names in the Hebrew Bible. It literally means 'Gazelles,' taking the plural form of צְבִי (tsvi, 'gazelle') and is used as a designation for locations noted either for the presence or symbolism of gazelles. In biblical narrative, it appears as the name of one of the 'cities of the plain' associated with the patriarchal era, and as a valley referenced in later historical texts. The sense is geographical, denoting an identified place or region, rather than referring directly to the animals themselves.
Semantic Range
the plural of 'gazelle' used as a place name; city among the cities of the plain; valley or geographic area; rarely—metonymy for inhabitants of such a place
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root צ-ב-י (ts-v-y), which fundamentally means 'to be beautiful,' but in noun form points to 'gazelle,' an animal often noted for its grace and beauty. Tsᵉbôʼîym is a regular masculine plural form of צְבִי (gazelle), used as a toponym. The use of animal names for place names is attested elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible (e.g., אֵילֵם 'Elim,' 'terebinths').
Historical & Contextual Notes
Tsᵉbôʼîym is referenced as a city in the story of the destruction of the plain cities (Genesis 10:19, Genesis 14:2, 8; Deuteronomy 29:23; Hosea 11:8), paired with places such as Admah, Sodom, and Gomorrah—suggesting its inclusion among well-known ancient settlements whose fates served as warnings for later Israelite and Judahite audiences. In Nehemiah 11:34 (צְבִיִים, another plural rendition), a different location near Jerusalem called the 'Valley of Zeboim' is described, indicating later or separate geographic reference likely corresponding to other features on the Benjaminite border (cf. 1 Samuel 13:18). English translations such as 'Zeboiim' reflect the Greek LXX and Vulgate tradition. The terms 'Zeboim' and 'Zeboiim' do not denote animal herds directly but instead serve as place names presumably derived from the characteristic wildlife or symbolism associated with those areas. The semantic link to 'gazelle' may reflect either physical abundance, topographical features, or poetic association with grace and beauty.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or (more correctly) צְבִיִּים; or צְבִיִּם; plural of צְבִי; gazelles; Tseboim or Tsebijim, a place in Palestine; Zeboiim, Zeboim.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
צבי (ts-v-y) — beauty, gracefulness, swiftness; gazelle
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H6380 | פֹּכֶרֶת צְבָיִים | the gazelles |
| H6645 | צִבְיָּה | Gazelle-of-Yahweh |
| H6646 | צְבִיָּה | female gazelle |
Word Forms
5 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6636-03 |
צביים | tsvyym | HNp |
of | Gazelles | 2 |
H6636-02 |
צְבוֹיִ֔ים | tsevoyim | HNp |
Zeboiim | Gazelles | 2 |
H6636-04 |
וּ/צְבֹיִ֖ם | utsevoyim | HC/Np |
and Zeboiim | and Gazelles | 2 |
H6636-01 |
כִּ/צְבֹאיִ֑ם | kitsevoyim | HR/Np |
like Zeboiim | Gazelles | 1 |
H6636-05 |
ו/צביים | vtsvyym | HC/Np |
and Zeboiim | and Gazelles | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
8 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6636-04 |
Genesis 10:19 | וּ/צְבֹיִ֖ם | utsevoyim | HC/Np |
and Zeboiim | and Gazelles |
H6636-03 |
Genesis 14:2 | צביים | tsvyym | HNp |
Zeboiim | Gazelles |
H6636-02 |
Genesis 14:2 | צְבוֹיִ֔ים | tsevoyim | HNp |
Zeboiim | Gazelles |
H6636-03 |
Genesis 14:8 | צביים | tsvyym | HNp |
of | Gazelles |
H6636-02 |
Genesis 14:8 | צְבוֹיִ֔ם | tsevoyim | HNp |
Zeboiim | Gazelles |
H6636-05 |
Deuteronomy 29:22 | ו/צביים | vtsvyym | HC/Np |
and Zeboiim | and Gazelles |
H6636-04 |
Deuteronomy 29:22 | וּ/צְבוֹיִ֔ם | utsevoyim | HC/Np |
and Zeboiim | and Gazelles |
H6636-01 |
Hosea 11:8 | כִּ/צְבֹאיִ֑ם | kitsevoyim | HR/Np |
like Zeboiim | Gazelles |