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צְבִי

𐤑𐤁𐤉

tsᵉbîy

H6643 noun

SILEX Entry

Root צבה to swell, be prominent, be conspicuous

Definition

A term denoting (1) a gazelle, an antelope species regarded for its slender build and graceful beauty, commonly referenced in poetic or comparative language as an emblem of attractiveness or desirability; (2) splendor, beauty, distinguished appearance, or what is highly prized and delightful in both aesthetic and figurative senses. The lexeme is used both zoologically (referring to the animal) and metaphorically (denoting beauty, loveliness, or desirability, often of people, land, or objects).

Semantic Range

gazelle; beauty; splendor; ornament; something desired; pleasant land; that which is attractive or prized; loveliness; desirable object

Root / Etymology

From the root צבה (ts-b-h), which primarily connotes 'to swell, be prominent, be conspicuous.' The word צְבִי is thought to develop from the idea of prominence or standing out, leading to its usage for a beautiful or outstanding thing or creature, particularly the gazelle, a notable animal in the Levant for its grace and attractiveness. In extended senses, it refers to anything that stands out for beauty or desirability.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, צְבִי is used for both the gazelle (as a symbol of beauty or swift grace, e.g., Deuteronomy 12:15) and for splendor, ornament, or desirability (e.g., Isaiah 4:2, Daniel 8:9, where the term can refer to the 'pleasant land', that is, the Land of Israel viewed as something highly esteemed or beautiful). The word reflects both literal and metaphorical use, with the transition between physical beauty (the gazelle) and aesthetic/valued quality (splendor, desirability) fluid in poetry and prophetic literature. Later translation traditions, including the Septuagint and Vulgate, often translate צְבִי in its metaphorical sense as 'glory', 'ornament', or 'beauty'. English translations sometimes narrow it to 'glory' or 'pleasant land', but the Hebrew term retains the sense of something highly attractive, desired, or beautiful. The use of צְבִי to describe the land particularly marks it as both beloved and at-risk, especially in exilic and post-exilic prophetic contexts.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from צָבָה in the sense of prominence; splendor (as conspicuous); also a gazelle (as beautiful); beautiful(-ty), glorious (-ry), goodly, pleasant, roe(-buck).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

צבה (ts-b-h) — to swell, be prominent, be conspicuous

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H6638 צָבָה to cause to swell
H6639 צָבֶה swollen
H6644 צִבְיָא Gazelle

Word Forms

9 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6643-07 צְבִ֣י tsevi HNcmsc glory prominent beauty of 12
H6643-03 הַ/צְּבִי֙ hatsevi HTd/Ncbsa of the Glory the gazelle 5
H6643-06 לִ/צְבִ֖י litsevi HR/Ncmsa a gazelle prominent beauty 4
H6643-08 וּ/צְבִ֖י utsevi HC/Ncbsa and gazelle and splendor 3
H6643-05 כִּ/צְבִ֣י kitsevi HR/Ncbsa like a gazelle splendor 2
H6643-04 כַּ/צְּבִ֖י katsevi HRd/Ncbsa as the gazelle like a gazelle 2
H6643-01 בִּ/צְבָא֔וֹת bitsevaot HR/Ncbpa by the gazelles in gazelles 2
H6643-09 וְ/כִ/צְבָאיִ֥ם vekhitsevayim HC/R/Ncbpa and like armies and like gazelles 1
H6643-02 הַ/צְּבָיִ֖ם hatsevayim HTd/Ncbpa the gazelles the gazelles 1

Occurrences in Scripture

32 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6643-04 Deuteronomy 12:15 כַּ/צְּבִ֖י katsevi HRd/Ncbsa as the gazelle like a gazelle
H6643-03 Deuteronomy 12:22 הַ/צְּבִי֙ hatsevi HTd/Ncbsa the gazelle the gazelle
H6643-08 Deuteronomy 14:5 וּ/צְבִ֖י utsevi HC/Ncbsa and gazelle and splendor
H6643-04 Deuteronomy 15:22 כַּ/צְּבִ֖י katsevi HRd/Ncbsa as the gazelle like a gazelle
H6643-03 2 Samuel 1:19 הַ/צְּבִי֙ hatsevi HTd/Ncmsa the glory the gazelle
H6643-02 2 Samuel 2:18 הַ/צְּבָיִ֖ם hatsevayim HTd/Ncbpa the gazelles the gazelles
H6643-08 1 Kings 5:3 וּ/צְבִי֙ utsevi HC/Ncbsa and-gazelles and splendor
H6643-06 Isaiah 4:2 לִ/צְבִ֖י litsevi HR/Ncmsa for beauty prominent beauty
H6643-05 Isaiah 13:14 כִּ/צְבִ֣י kitsevi HR/Ncbsa like a gazelle splendor
H6643-07 Isaiah 13:19 צְבִ֣י tsevi HNcmsc the glory prominent beauty of
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