צִיצִת
𐤑𐤉𐤑𐤕
tsîytsith
H6734 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A tassel, fringe, or decorative cord attached to the corners of a garment, particularly as mandated in the Torah (Numbers 15:38-39; Deuteronomy 22:12). Its principal sense refers to a specifically crafted ornament of threads, often with a cord of blue (tekelet), serving both as a visible adornment and, in biblical context, as a mnemonic or identifying feature for Israelite adult males. The term also carries rare wider application for a floral or feather-like projection or lock (of hair), but its dominant use is the ritual garment tassel.
Semantic Range
tassel, ritual fringe, lock of hair, decorative fringe, projecting ornament
Root / Etymology
From the Hebrew root ציץ (tsyts), meaning 'to blossom' or 'to shine, sparkle.' The noun צִיץ (tsîyts) refers to a flower or blossom, or to a shining object such as a diadem or plate. צִיצִת (tsîytsith) is a feminine form, extended and specialized in meaning from the root idea of something protruding, unfolding, or visibly prominent, as with a blossom or prominent hair/tassel.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The primary biblical usage of צִיצִת is as a technical term for the ritual tassels Israelites were instructed to attach to the corners of their garments (Numbers 15:38–40; Deuteronomy 22:12). These served as reminders to observe commandments and mark communal identity. The blue cord (תְּכֵלֶת, tekelet) distinguished the tsîytsith from ordinary fringe. The word does not refer to hair in most biblical contexts; the sense of 'lock of hair' appears only in post-biblical or rare poetic contexts, stemming from the broader root imagery of a projecting or prominent feature (cf. 'blossom' or 'flower'). In Rabbinic and later periods, tsîytsith was the established term for ritual fringes (tzitzit), developing precise legal connotations. The English 'fringe' or 'tassel' captures the main sense but omits the ritual, communal, and mnemonic functions attached to the item in Israelite society. Nothing in the biblical term specifically indicates later religious associations of Judaism; those arose in Second Temple and post-biblical eras. Related to but distinct from צִיץ (tsîyts), which in priestly use refers to a high priest’s golden plate (Exodus 28:36).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
feminine of צִיץ; a floral or wing-like projection, i.e. a forelock of hair, a tassel; fringe, lock.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
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ציץ (ts-y-ts) — blossom, shine, protrude
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6734-03 |
צִיצִ֛ת | tsitsit | HNcfsa |
tassel | blossom-tassel | 2 |
H6734-02 |
לְ/צִיצִת֒ | letsitsit | HR/Ncfsa |
for a tassel | for a ritual tassel | 1 |
H6734-01 |
בְּ/צִיצִ֣ת | betsitsit | HR/Ncfsc |
by a lock | in a ritual tassel of | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6734-03 |
Numbers 15:38 | צִיצִ֛ת | tsitsit | HNcfsa |
tassels | blossom-tassel |
H6734-03 |
Numbers 15:38 | צִיצִ֥ת | tsitsit-2 | HNcfsc |
tassel | blossom-tassel |
H6734-02 |
Numbers 15:39 | לְ/צִיצִת֒ | letsitsit | HR/Ncfsa |
for a tassel | for a ritual tassel |
H6734-01 |
Ezekiel 8:3 | בְּ/צִיצִ֣ת | betsitsit | HR/Ncfsc |
by a lock | in a ritual tassel of |