צַיִד

𐤑𐤉𐤃

tsayid

H6718 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

The act of hunting or pursuing animals, and by extension, the animals taken by hunting (game), and food prepared from such game. The term can also refer more generally to provisions for a journey, particularly food suitable for travelers, although its primary association is with hunting. In narrative contexts, it specifies wild animals captured for sustenance.

Semantic Range

hunting, the act of hunting, game (animals caught by hunting), food acquired by hunting, provisions or sustenance for a journey

Root / Etymology

From the root צוּד (צ-ו-ד), which means 'to hunt, pursue (animals for food)'. The root broadly denotes the act of pursuing or seeking, primarily in the context of obtaining food through hunting. The noun צַיִד denotes the result or object of this action: hunted game, or by extension, food acquired through hunting. The noun form encapsulates both the act (hunting) and its result (game, provision).

Historical & Contextual Notes

During the patriarchal and monarchic periods, hunting was an established means of providing food, particularly among wealthier households, as reflected in narratives depicting patriarchs such as Esau (Genesis 25–27) being skilled hunters who procured 'tsayid' for his family. The term appears most often in such narrative or genealogical contexts to describe game brought home or prepared as a special meal. Over time, especially in later usage, 'tsayid' can refer more generally to provisions for a journey, broadening from its original association with hunted game; this development reflects shifts in culinary and travel practices. It should not be confused with generic terms for food (אֹכֶל) or bread (לֶחֶם), as 'tsayid' retains its nuance of game or provision specially prepared for a purpose, often linked with the imagery of travel or special occasions. Later translations sometimes render 'tsayid' as 'venison' or 'victuals', but these may limit the rich Hebraic sense of food specially acquired by hunting and preparation, which could include a wider variety of wild animals. In post-exilic literature, the term becomes less common, reflecting social and dietary changes.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from a form of צוּד and meaning the same; the chase; also game (thus taken); (generally) lunch (especially for a journey); [idiom] catcheth, food, [idiom] hunter, (that which he took in) hunting, venison, victuals.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

צוד (ts-w-d) — to hunt, to pursue for food, to capture

Root צוד to hunt, to pursue (for food), to capture
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4679 מְצַד in the mountain stronghold
H4685 מָצוֹד in the hunting-nets
H6679 צוּד will you hunt?
H6721 צִידוֹן to Tsidon the Fishing-Town

Word Forms

8 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H6718-05 צַ֖יִד tsayid HNcmsa game hunted game hunted game 8
H6718-08 צֵיד֑/וֹ tseydo HNcmsc/Sp3ms his prey his hunted game his hunted game 2
H6718-01 מִ/צֵּ֣יד mitseyd HR/Ncmsc of the game hunted-game of game of 2
H6718-06 צֵ֥יד tseyd HNcmsc hunting hunted game hunted game 1
H6718-03 מִ/צֵּידִ֔/י mitseydi HR/Ncmsc/Sp1cs of my game my hunted-game my hunted-game 1
H6718-04 מִ/צֵּידֽ/וֹ mitseydo HR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms from his hunting from his hunted-game from his hunting 1
H6718-07 צֵ֭ידָ/הּ tseydah HNcmsc/Sp3fs her provision hunted game her provision 1
H6718-02 מִ/צֵּידָ֑/ם mitseydam HR/Ncmsc/Sp3mp from their provisions their hunted game from their provisions 1

Occurrences in Scripture

17 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H6718-05 Genesis 10:9 צַ֖יִד tsayid HNcmsa hunter hunted game hunter
H6718-05 Genesis 10:9 צַ֖יִד tsayid-2 HNcmsa hunter hunted game hunter
H6718-05 Genesis 25:27 צַ֖יִד tsayid HNcmsa hunter hunted game hunted game
H6718-05 Genesis 25:28 צַ֣יִד tsayid HNcmsa game hunted game hunted game
H6718-05 Genesis 27:5 צַ֖יִד tsayid HNcmsa game hunted game game
H6718-05 Genesis 27:7 צַ֛יִד tsayid HNcmsa game hunted game hunted game
H6718-03 Genesis 27:19 מִ/צֵּידִ֔/י mitseydi HR/Ncmsc/Sp1cs of my game my hunted-game my hunted-game
H6718-01 Genesis 27:25 מִ/צֵּ֣יד mitseyd HR/Ncmsc of the game hunted-game of game of
H6718-04 Genesis 27:30 מִ/צֵּידֽ/וֹ mitseydo HR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms from his hunting from his hunted-game from his hunting
H6718-01 Genesis 27:31 מִ/צֵּ֣יד mitseyd HR/Ncmsc of the game hunted-game of of the game