צִיץ
𐤑𐤉𐤑
Tsits
H6732 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A flower, blossom, or bud; figuratively, something that protrudes or projects, such as a decorative plate or object (e.g., the golden plate on the high priest's turban); also, a proper noun referring to a named location (Tsits/Ziz) in some texts. The word refers first and foremost to plant blossoms and is extended metaphorically to objects or features that resemble the form or visual quality of flowers.
Semantic Range
flower, blossom, bud, decorative plate (priestly or ornamental object), something that projects or glistens, a named location (Ziz/Tsits)
Root / Etymology
Root: צוץ (ts-w-ts), which conveys the idea of bursting forth, sprouting, glistening, or blooming. The noun צִיץ (tsîyts) develops from this root and refers to something that blooms, particularly the most visible, prominent part—a flower or blossom.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical usage, צִיץ most commonly appears in botanical contexts, denoting a flower, blossom, or bud—the showy, transient part of a plant, such as in Isaiah 40:6-8 where the brevity and beauty of human life is compared to a flower of the field. By extension, it describes an ornamental or decorative object, such as the צִיץ הַזָּהָב (tsîyts hazahav), the gold plate inscribed with 'holy to YHWH' worn on the high priest’s turban (Exodus 28:36-38). In this context, the term suggests the glittering, eye-catching prominence, analogous to a flower's bloom. The place name Ziz or Tsits appears in 2 Chronicles 20:16 and is likely so called for its topographical features, possibly a projecting ridge or pass. English translations sometimes flatten the metaphorical resonance of the term, for example translating the priestly adornment simply as 'plate,' which does not fully evoke the term's botanical associations and visual nuances. The semantic distinction between צִיץ (bloom, blossom) and similar words like פֶּרַח (perach, also 'flower,' but emphasizing growing or budding) can be significant; צִיץ focuses on the visual or decorative aspect, while פֶּרַח focuses more on the act of flowering or its progression. The word’s metaphorical and literal senses persisted into later periods, evident in post-biblical Hebrew and Aramaic literature.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
the same as צִיץ; bloom; Tsits, a place in Palestine; Ziz.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
צוץ (ts-w-ts) — to bud, sprout, blossom, shine
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H6692 | צוּץ | one causing to blossom |
| H6731 | צִיץ | like a shining blossom |
| H6733 | צִיצָה | blossom |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6732-01 |
הַ/צִּ֑יץ | hatsits | HTd/Np |
of Ziz | the Blossom-place | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6732-01 |
2 Chronicles 20:16 | הַ/צִּ֑יץ | hatsits | HTd/Np |
of Ziz | the Blossom-place |