צִיר
𐤑𐤉𐤓
tsîyr
H6736 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A physical form representing a being or object, especially a carved or fashioned image, frequently used in reference to an idol or cultic statue, but also applied to artistic representations or images more generally. The term emphasizes the shaped or fashioned nature of the object rather than the material itself. In certain contexts, can refer more generally to form or appearance, especially one regarded as beautiful or remarkable.
Semantic Range
carved image, idol, artistic representation, fashioned form, beautiful form, figure, statue
Root / Etymology
From the root צ-י-ר (צִיר), which broadly means 'to form, fashion, shape, carve.' The noun derives from the sense of that which is pressed, molded, or carved out, reflecting an object intentionally shaped or depicted.
Historical & Contextual Notes
צִיר (tsîyr) in its nominal form is relatively rare and is seldom found outside poetic or prophetic texts. It often denotes man-made representations, focusing on objects that function as cultic idols but can be used for any carved or fashioned image. The word is distinct from פֶּסֶל (pésel), which typically refers more specifically to a carved or graven idol. In some poetic texts, צִיר may also emphasize the artistry or attractiveness of the form. English translations often render צִיר as 'image,' 'idol,' or, less frequently, 'form' or 'figure'; in contexts of idol worship, 'idol' is more common, but this can obscure the broader artistry and range of the term. Over time, as Israelite religion became increasingly iconoclastic, the word accrued negative overtones when referring to cultic statues, especially in exilic and post-exilic literature. In pre-exilic contexts, however, it may refer more neutrally to crafted imagery or form.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
the same as צִיר; a form (of beauty; as if pressed out, i.e. carved); hence, an (idolatrous) image; beauty, idol.
Bantu Hebrew
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ציר (ṣ-y-r) — to form, fashion, shape, carve
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H6737 | צָיַר | they acted as envoys |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6736-02 |
ו/ציר/ם | vtsyrm | HC/Ncmsc/Sp3mp |
and their form | and their carved-form | 1 |
H6736-01 |
צִירִֽים | tsirim | HNcmpa |
of idols | carved images | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6736-01 |
Isaiah 45:16 | צִירִֽים | tsirim | HNcmpa |
of idols | carved images |
H6736-02 |
Psalms 49:15 | ו/ציר/ם | vtsyrm | HC/Ncmsc/Sp3mp |
and their form | and their carved-form |