צְחִיחִי
𐤑𐤇𐤉𐤇𐤉
tsᵉchîychîy
H6708 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A dry, barren, exposed place, particularly one lying open to intense sunlight or heat; refers to a prominent, sunbaked, unprotected spot, often on elevated ground.
Semantic Range
bare spot, scorched place, exposed elevation, parched bare rock, area lacking cover (esp. vegetation or soil), place open to intense sunlight
Root / Etymology
The term derives from the adjective צְחִיחַ (tsᵉchîach), meaning 'parched, scorched, bare,' which is itself from the root צָחַח (ts-ch-ch), meaning 'to be dry, parched, scorched.' Tsᵉchîychîy is a formation that denotes a location characterized by these features, especially a starkly exposed or elevated barren area. Root: צחח.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In its only attested biblical usage (Ezekiel 24:7), צְחִיחִי describes a bloodstain on the 'bare rock,' emphasizing exposure, inability to be covered, and the intensity of sunlight or heat. The nuance is of a spot stripped of covering, particularly vegetation or soil, and exposed to the elements—sometimes with an intensification from elevation. The term is rare and largely poetic or descriptive, without reference to religious sanctity or social significance. Later translation traditions (including the LXX and Vulgate) tend to render it literal ('bare rock') or gloss over the topographical aspect in favor of the image of exposure. English translations frequently employ 'bare,' 'dry,' or 'exposed,' but may lose the connotation of harsh, sun-exposed prominence embedded in the Hebrew. The word is distinct from other terms for rock (e.g., סֶלַע, צוּר) in that it emphasizes the quality of exposure and barrenness over mere stone or rockiness.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from צְחִיחַ; bare spot, i.e. in the glaring sun; higher place.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
צחח (ts-ḥ-ḥ) — to be parched, to scorch, to be exposed
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H6703 | צַח | radiant |
| H6705 | צָחַח | they blazed white |
| H6706 | צְחִיחַ | in the sunlit heights |
| H6707 | צְחִיחָה | parched land |
| H6710 | צַחְצָחָה | in parched places |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6708-01 |
ב/צחחיים | vtschchyym | HRd/Ncmpa |
in the exposures | in parched exposures | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6708-01 |
Nehemiah 4:7 | ב/צחחיים | vtschchyym | HRd/Ncmpa |
in the exposures | in parched exposures |