צְדִיָּה
𐤑𐤃𐤉𐤄
tsᵉdîyâh
H6660 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A plan or intent to ambush, particularly with a hostile purpose; refers specifically to the act or scheme of lying in wait to attack or ensnare. The term encompasses deliberate plots or schemes, typically for harm or capture, with an emphasis on premeditation and concealment.
Semantic Range
design, plan, plot, lying in wait, ambush, scheme (usually hostile or harmful in nature)
Root / Etymology
From the root צדה, meaning 'to hunt, lie in wait, ensnare.' The noun form צְדִיָּה (tsᵉdîyâh) derives directly from this root, signifying the result or act of lying in wait. A related form, צְדָא (tsᵉdā’), carries a similar meaning. The root conveys the idea of stalking or hunting, but the noun focuses on the aspect of an ambush or laid scheme.
Historical & Contextual Notes
צְדִיָּה occurs rarely in biblical Hebrew and is best attested in poetic or wisdom literature where the act of cunning ambush is depicted as a form of cunning or malicious plotting. The term is distinct from other nouns such as מַאֲרָב (ma'arav, 'ambush'), which often refers to a tactical military ambush, whereas צְדִיָּה emphasizes the scheming or intent behind the act. English translations often render this term as 'design,' 'scheme,' or 'lying in wait,' but may not fully capture the nuance of deliberate, hostile intent. In post-biblical Hebrew, the root continues to carry meanings related to hunting and entrapment. While the term is primarily attested in First Temple period texts, its meaning remained stable throughout biblical usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from צָדָה; (compare צְדָא); design; lying in wait.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
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צדה (ts-d-h) — to hunt, to lie in wait, to ensnare
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6660-02 |
צְדִיָּֽה | tsediyah | HNcfsa |
premeditation | ambush-plot | 1 |
H6660-01 |
בִּ/צְדִיָּ֖ה | bitsediyah | HR/Ncfsa |
with intent | in an ambush-plot | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6660-01 |
Numbers 35:20 | בִּ/צְדִיָּ֖ה | bitsediyah | HR/Ncfsa |
with intent | in an ambush-plot |
H6660-02 |
Numbers 35:22 | צְדִיָּֽה | tsediyah | HNcfsa |
premeditation | ambush-plot |