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צֶבַע

𐤑𐤁𐤏

tsebaʻ

H6648 noun

SILEX Entry

Root צבע to dip, to immerse (in liquid), to dye

Definition

A colored substance or pigment used for dyeing, commonly referring to a dye or coloration. The word denotes dyed material or fabric, and by extension refers to color or colors derived from dyeing processes.

Semantic Range

dye, coloring matter, colored or dyed fabric, colors (in the sense of dyed textiles or materials)

Root / Etymology

The root is uncertain but is possibly linked to a root meaning 'to dip' or 'immerse,' reflecting the process of dyeing materials by immersion in coloring fluids. No clear verbal root (צבע) is attested in the Hebrew Bible, making the etymology uncertain.

Historical & Contextual Notes

צֶבַע appears infrequently in the Hebrew Bible, with primary attestation in late biblical or post-biblical Hebrew. In its biblical usage (notably in Jeremiah 10:9), it is associated with luxury items, specifically garments dyed with imported colors such as purple and blue, indicating status or wealth. The term is distinct from more common words for color (e.g., גָּוֶן) or hue, as it emphasizes the process or product of dyeing rather than mere visual appearance. In later Hebrew, the word came to more generally refer to 'color.' English translations often render it as 'dyed' or 'colors,' potentially obscuring its focus on process and material. Its usage in the Hebrew Bible is limited to describing ornate or decorated textiles, and it does not carry the later religious associations connected to colored vestments or symbols. There is no evidence that the term applied to skin color or other natural hues in biblical times; its use is technical and material. In the post-exilic period and later Hebrew, צֶבַע became the general term for 'color.'

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from an unused root meaning to dip (into coloring fluid); a dye; divers, colours.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

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Root Family

צבא (ṣ-b-ʾ) — wage war, serve, go forth for duty

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H6633 צָבָא the one mobilizing for service
H6634 צְבָא willing one
H6635 צָבָא in the organized host
H6640 צְבוּ determined purpose
H6717 צִיבָא to Stationed-One

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6648-02 צְבָעִים֙ tsevaim HNcmpa dyed dyed fabrics 2
H6648-01 צֶ֥בַע tseva HNcmsc dyed work host of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6648-02 Judges 5:30 צְבָעִים֙ tsevaim HNcmpa dyed dyed fabrics
H6648-02 Judges 5:30 צְבָעִ֖ים tsevaim-2 HNcmpa dyed dyed fabrics
H6648-01 Judges 5:30 צֶ֥בַע tseva HNcmsc dyed work host of
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