צַוַּאר

𐤑𐤅𐤀𐤓

tsavvaʼr

H6676 noun

SILEX Entry

Root צור to bind, tie, shape, compress

Definition

The back or nape of the neck, especially as the part of the body upon which yokes, burdens, or hands are placed. Refers concretely to the physical neck, often as a site of subjection, bearing, or vulnerability; in extended use can symbolize submission or oppression.

Semantic Range

nape of the neck, back of the neck, neck (as a physical body part), location for binding loads or yokes, seat of submission or oppression, point of vulnerability or defeat

Root / Etymology

Root: צו"ר (צ-ו-ר). The noun is a derivative from the root צו"ר, which carries the core meaning 'to bind, tie, or shape.' The word צַוַּאר (tsavvaʼr) arises as the form designating 'neck,' conceived as both the physical structure and the location where burdens or yokes are typically bound. The form shows characteristic doubling of the middle root consonant, possibly as a pattern of intensive derivation or as a form of noun patterning in Hebrew.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical Hebrew, צַוַּאר (tsavvaʼr) generally denotes the nape or back of the neck, the spot where yokes or burdens are imposed, particularly in metaphors of oppression (e.g., 'placing the yoke on the neck,' 'breaking the neck') and subjugation (enemies placing hands or feet on the neck of the vanquished). In narrative, legal, and poetic texts, the word is rarely neutral; it often evokes the vulnerability, submission, or domination associated with the neck. In later Aramaic, the cognate term is used with the same physical sense. Unlike עֹרֶף ('orɛf), which also means 'back of the neck' and is sometimes used in the expression 'stiff-necked' (עֹרֶף קָשֶׁה), צַוַּאר is frequently chosen in contexts describing someone bearing a yoke or being forcibly subjected. Modern translations generally render this as 'neck,' but the full nuance in biblical passages often includes the idea of imposed burden.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) corresponding to צַוָּאר; {the back of the neck (as that on which burdens are bound)}; neck.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

צור (ṣ-w-r) — bind, tie, shape, compress

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1049 בֵּית צוּר Rock
H4692 מָצוֹר in the siege
H4693 מָצוֹר besieged stronghold
H4694 מְצוּרָה the fortified places
H6677 צַוָּאר in the binding-neck

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6676-03 צַוְּארֵ֔/הּ tsavereh ANcmsc/Sp3ms his neck his binding-neck 2
H6676-01 צַוָּארָ֑/הּ tsavarah HNcmsc/Sp3fs her neck her nape 1
H6676-02 צַוְּארָ֔/ךְ tsaverakhe ANcmsc/Sp2ms your neck your nape 1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6676-01 Hosea 10:11 צַוָּארָ֑/הּ tsavarah HNcmsc/Sp3fs her neck her nape
H6676-03 Daniel 5:7 צַוְּארֵ֔/הּ tsavereh ANcmsc/Sp3ms his neck his binding-neck
H6676-02 Daniel 5:16 צַוְּארָ֔/ךְ tsaverakhe ANcmsc/Sp2ms your neck your nape
H6676-03 Daniel 5:29 צַוְּארֵ֑/הּ tsavereh ANcmsc/Sp3ms his neck his binding-neck