צַוַּאר
𐤑𐤅𐤀𐤓
tsavvaʼr
H6676 noun
SILEX Entry
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
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
צור (Matsor) — to bind, to press in, to enclose, to besiege
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4693 | מָצוֹר | besieged stronghold |
| H4694 | מְצוּרָה | the fortified places |
| H6677 | צַוָּאר | in the binding-neck |
| H6696 | צוּר | the ones besieging |
| H6697 | צוּר | in a rock-cliff |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6676-03 |
צַוְּארֵ֔/הּ | tsavereh | ANcmsc/Sp3ms |
his neck | his binding-neck | his binding-neck | 2 |
H6676-01 |
צַוָּארָ֑/הּ | tsavarah | HNcmsc/Sp3fs |
her neck | her nape | her neck | 1 |
H6676-02 |
צַוְּארָ֔/ךְ | tsaverakhe | ANcmsc/Sp2ms |
your neck | your nape | your neck | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6676-01 |
Hosea 10:11 | צַוָּארָ֑/הּ | tsavarah | HNcmsc/Sp3fs |
her neck | her nape | her neck |
H6676-03 |
Daniel 5:7 | צַוְּארֵ֔/הּ | tsavereh | ANcmsc/Sp3ms |
his neck | his binding-neck | his neck |
H6676-02 |
Daniel 5:16 | צַוְּארָ֔/ךְ | tsaverakhe | ANcmsc/Sp2ms |
your neck | your nape | your neck |
H6676-03 |
Daniel 5:29 | צַוְּארֵ֑/הּ | tsavereh | ANcmsc/Sp3ms |
his neck | his binding-neck | his binding-neck |