צְלָא
𐤑𐤋𐤀
tsᵉlâʼ
H6739 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
(Aramaic) To pray or entreat, typically in the context of formal petition to a deity; used for the act of seeking favor, guidance, or intervention through prayer. Commonly denotes the ritual or habitual action of addressing the divine, both in individual and communal contexts. The semantic range includes both general supplication and more formalized acts of prayer.
Semantic Range
to pray, to make supplication, to entreat deity, to petition formally, to offer prayer (ritual or habitual)
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root צְלֵי (Aramaic), which is likely cognate with Hebrew צָלַע (ṣāla‘) but has shifted in meaning in Aramaic to denote the act of praying or petitioning. The original Hebrew root צָלַע means 'to limp, to be lame' or 'to lean,' but the Aramaic usage diverged, emphasizing the aspect of bowing or inclination associated with prayer, rather than physical disability.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Biblical Aramaic (notably in Daniel and Ezra), צְלָא frequently appears in narratives describing ritual practices or personal devotion. While the root appears related to Hebrew צָלַע, the meaning in Aramaic is specialized and does not carry the physical sense of limping—rather, it appropriates the concept of 'leaning' or 'inclining' for the act of bowing in supplication. The act of praying described by צְלָא is consistent with Near Eastern traditions where bodily posture such as bowing or kneeling accompanies prayer. The term is not used in pre-exilic Hebrew texts, reflecting the later influence of Aramaic as a lingua franca in the Persian period and beyond. Standard English translations render it simply as 'pray,' but this can obscure the specific nuance of formal, often communal petition in post-exilic contexts, especially among returning exiles or those in diaspora settings. This term is distinct from Hebrew verbs for prayer such as פלל (hitpallel, to intercede or judge oneself) or חנן (to seek favor), highlighting the evolution of language under Aramaic influence.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) probably corresponding to צָלַע in the sense of bowing; pray; pray.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
צלי (ṣ-l-y) — to pray, to entreat, to petition (in religious context)
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6739-02 |
וּ/מְצַלֵּ֤א | umetsale | AC/Vprmsa |
and praying | and the praying-one | 1 |
H6739-01 |
וּ/מְצַלַּ֕יִן | umetsalayin | AC/Vprmpa |
and praying | and those praying | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6739-02 |
Daniel 6:11 | וּ/מְצַלֵּ֤א | umetsale | AC/Vprmsa |
and praying | and the praying-one |
H6739-01 |
Ezra 6:10 | וּ/מְצַלַּ֕יִן | umetsalayin | AC/Vprmpa |
and praying | and those praying |