צַיָּד
𐤑𐤉𐤃
tsayâd
H6719 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A person engaged in hunting, especially one who pursues wild animals for food or sport; in the Hebrew Bible, used both for literal hunters and, in some contexts, as a metaphor for one who pursues others. The term focuses on the activity of hunting and those skilled in tracking and capturing wild game.
Semantic Range
hunter, huntsman, one who catches wild game, pursuer (metaphorical); one whose occupation or identity is tied to hunting
Root / Etymology
Root: ציד (צ־י־ד), meaning 'to hunt, catch, provide game.' צַיָּד is a noun formation that denotes a person who engages in hunting (i.e., a hunter or huntsman). The root conveys the idea of obtaining game either as food provision or as trade good, but the noun specifically refers to the practitioner.
Historical & Contextual Notes
צַיָּד appears primarily in narrative and genealogical contexts, such as Genesis 10:9 (Nimrod as a 'mighty hunter'). The term may also function metaphorically for one who 'pursues' or 'tracks' others. In ancient Israelite society, hunters occupied a distinct though not necessarily aristocratic social role; most Israelites were agriculturalists or pastoralists, making hunting a supplementary rather than primary means of subsistence. Unlike the related noun צַיִד (tsayid, 'game' or 'hunting'), which refers to that which is hunted, צַיָּד stresses the individual as an actor. In translation, 'huntsman' or 'hunter' captures the core meaning, but 'hunter' is generally less specific to legal or noble status in Hebrew than in some later traditions. The term's semantic scope remains consistent across the biblical period, though its literal referent is sometimes broadened by rhetorical or poetic usage (e.g., one who 'hunts' souls). Later Jewish and Christian translations sometimes render this term as 'mighty hunter,' but this reflects interpretive tradition more than lexical specificity.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the same as צַיִד; a huntsman; hunter.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
ציד (ṣ-y-d) — to hunt, to catch, to provide game
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H6720 | צֵידָה | travel provision |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6719-01 |
צַיָּדִ֔ים | tsayadim | HNcmpa |
hunters | hunters | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6719-01 |
Jeremiah 16:16 | צַיָּדִ֔ים | tsayadim | HNcmpa |
hunters | hunters |