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צֵידָה

𐤑𐤉𐤃𐤄

tsêydâh

H6720 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ציד to hunt, to provision, to supply

Definition

Supplies of food, especially provisions prepared or packed for a journey. The term primarily designates sustenance in the form of foodstuffs assembled in advance, often for travel, but can extend to the general notion of supplies required to meet one's needs over a distance or period. In some contexts, particularly where hunting is involved, it may refer specifically to fresh game or hunted meat, but more generally encompasses bread and other prepared food for a journey.

Semantic Range

food for a journey, provisions, supplies, prepared food, packed or carried sustenance, game or hunted meat (in hunting contexts), travel food

Root / Etymology

From the root ציד (צ-י-ד), meaning 'to hunt, to provision.' צֵידָה is the feminine noun form derived from the root, indicating 'that which is hunted' or, more broadly, 'that which is gathered to sustain.' While the root emphasizes action—hunting or provisioning—the noun abstractly refers to the food or resources accumulated.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The term צֵידָה appears most often in historical narratives describing travel or preparation for journeys (e.g., Genesis 27:3, 25; Joshua 1:11), highlighting the practical concerns of movement and survival in biblical settings. It is distinct from general words for food such as אֹכֶל ('food, eating') or לֶחֶם ('bread'), specifically marking provisions set aside for sustained travel versus daily or ritual consumption. Across the Hebrew Bible, its usage reflects the subsistence realities of the ancient Near East, particularly pastoral and semi-nomadic lifeways. English translations often use 'victuals,' 'provisions,' or 'meat,' but these can be misleading: while game is sometimes in focus, the term is not limited to meat and more broadly means any travel-ready sustenance, including bread (Genesis 43:11). Later traditions, especially in rabbinic usage, continued with the meaning of 'provisions' or 'packed food.' Its function in narrative—where preparation for journey or mission is symbolically significant—sometimes marks a threshold, setting apart routine life from purposeful departure.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or צֵדָה; feminine of צַיִד; food; meat, provision, venison, victuals.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

ציד (ṣ-y-d) — to hunt, to provision, to supply

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H6719 צַיָּד hunters

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6720-02 צֵדָ֖ה tsedah HNcbsa provisions provisioned food 5
H6720-03 צֵידָ֑ה tseydah HNcbsa provisions provisioned food 3
H6720-01 צָֽיִד tsayid HNcbsa game travel provision 1
H6720-04 צֵידָ֔/ם tseydam HNcbsc/Sp3mp provision-their their provisions 1
H6720-06 וְ/צֵידָ֖ה vetseydah HC/Ncbsa and provisions journey provision 1
H6720-05 צידה tsydh HNcbsa some game journey provisions 1

Occurrences in Scripture

12 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6720-05 Genesis 27:3 צידה tsydh HNcbsa some game journey provisions
H6720-01 Genesis 27:3 צָֽיִד tsayid HNcbsa game travel provision
H6720-02 Genesis 42:25 צֵדָ֖ה tsedah HNcbsa provisions provisioned food
H6720-02 Genesis 45:21 צֵדָ֖ה tsedah HNcbsa provisions provisioned food
H6720-02 Exodus 12:39 צֵדָ֖ה tsedah HNcbsa provisions provisioned food
H6720-03 Joshua 1:11 צֵידָ֑ה tseydah HNcbsa provisions provisioned food
H6720-04 Joshua 9:5 צֵידָ֔/ם tseydam HNcbsc/Sp3mp provision-their their provisions
H6720-03 Joshua 9:11 צֵידָה֙ tseydah HNcbsa provisions provisioned food
H6720-02 Judges 7:8 צֵדָה֩ tsedah HNcbsa provisions provisioned food
H6720-02 Judges 20:10 צֵדָ֖ה tsedah HNcbsa provision provisioned food
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