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צוּד

𐤑𐤅𐤃

tsûwd

H6679 verb

SILEX Entry

Root צוד to hunt, pursue, lie in wait, catch

Definition

To hunt or pursue game, especially for food or provision; to set traps or lie in wait in order to catch animals; by extension, to provide oneself with provisions obtained from hunting. In certain contexts, can also refer metaphorically to seeking after or pursuing someone or something with intent, such as preying on humans or attempting to ensnare.

Semantic Range

to hunt game, to pursue for food, to provide provisions from hunting, to lie in wait (ambush), to entrap or ensnare (literal and figurative), to victual or supply provisions, to pursue or chase with intent to capture

Root / Etymology

The verb צוּד derives from the root צוד, which at its core denotes the act of hunting or pursuing. The root is also the basis of the noun צַיִד (tsayid), meaning 'game' or 'hunted food.' The relationship between verb and noun is typical of Hebrew verbal-nominal formations. The root likely conveys the sense of seeking, tracking, and obtaining prey.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the patriarchal narratives, hunting (צוד) is portrayed as a significant activity, notably for figures such as Esau, who is called 'a skilled hunter' (אִישׁ יֹדֵעַ צַיִד). Hunting was both a means of sustenance and a demonstration of skill or status in early Israelite and neighboring societies. The verb appears most often in contexts related to obtaining food for a family or household, sometimes for a journey (as in Genesis 27:3). In later periods, as Israelite society became more agrarian, hunting receded in importance, and references become rarer and sometimes metaphorical (e.g., preying upon or seeking to ensnare others). English translations often narrow the sense to 'hunt,' but the verb can also encompass broader notions of provision and pursuit.צוד is distinct from other verbs of pursuit, such as רָדַף (to chase, pursue generally), in that it implies a specific intention to obtain prey, often through stealth or traps. The denominative form highlights the direct connection between the action (hunt) and its product (game/meat). The verb does not carry the pejorative or sinister connotations that the English 'prey upon' sometimes has, unless contextually specified.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; also denominative from צַיִד; to lie alongside (i.e. in wait); by implication, to catch an animal (figuratively, men); to victual (for a journey); chase, hunt, sore, take (provision).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

צוד (ts-w-d) — hunt, pursue, lie in wait, catch

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4679 מְצַד in the mountain stronghold
H4685 מָצוֹד in the hunting-nets
H6718 צַיִד hunted-game of
H6721 צִידוֹן to Tsidon the Fishing-Town

Word Forms

17 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6679-06 מְצֹדְד֨וֹת metsodedot HVorfpa hunt hunting women 2
H6679-15 יָצ֜וּד yatsud HVqi3ms hunts he hunts 1
H6679-08 תְּצוֹדֵ֣דְנָה tetsodedenah HVoi2fp will-you-hunt you women will hunt down 1
H6679-10 צָד֣וּ tsadu HVqp3cp They hunted they hunted 1
H6679-17 יְ֝צוּדֶ֗/נּוּ yetsudenu HVqj3ms/Sp3ms shall hunt him may he hunt him 1
H6679-13 וְ/צָד֞וּ/ם vetsadum HC/Vqq3cp/Sp3mp and they shall hunt them and they hunted them 1
H6679-03 הִצְטַיַּ֤דְנוּ hitsetayadenu HVtp1cp we took...for provisions we hunted for ourselves 1
H6679-07 תָצֽוּד tatsud HVqi3fs hunts she hunts 1
H6679-09 תְּצוּדֵ֑/נִי tetsudeni HVqi2ms/Sp1cs you hunt me you hunt me 1
H6679-14 וְ/צ֥וּדָ/ה vetsudah HC/Vqv2ms/Sh and hunt and hunt! 1

Occurrences in Scripture

18 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6679-14 Genesis 27:3 וְ/צ֥וּדָ/ה vetsudah HC/Vqv2ms/Sh and hunt and hunt!
H6679-04 Genesis 27:5 לָ/צ֥וּד latsud HR/Vqc to hunt to hunt
H6679-02 Genesis 27:33 הַ/צָּֽד hatsad HTd/Vqrmsa the one who hunted the hunter
H6679-15 Leviticus 17:13 יָצ֜וּד yatsud HVqi3ms hunts he hunts
H6679-03 Joshua 9:12 הִצְטַיַּ֤דְנוּ hitsetayadenu HVtp1cp we took...for provisions we hunted for ourselves
H6679-13 Jeremiah 16:16 וְ/צָד֞וּ/ם vetsadum HC/Vqq3cp/Sp3mp and they shall hunt them and they hunted them
H6679-05 Ezekiel 13:18 לְ/צוֹדֵ֣ד letsoded HR/Voc to-hunt to hunt down
H6679-08 Ezekiel 13:18 תְּצוֹדֵ֣דְנָה tetsodedenah HVoi2fp will-you-hunt you women will hunt down
H6679-06 Ezekiel 13:20 מְצֹדְד֨וֹת metsodedot HVorfpa hunt hunting women
H6679-06 Ezekiel 13:20 מְצֹדְד֥וֹת metsodedot-2 HVorfpa hunt hunting women
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