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צָלַע

𐤑𐤋𐤏

tsâlaʻ

H6760 verb

SILEX Entry

Root צלע to limp, to be lame, to be uneven

Definition

To limp, be lame, or walk with an uneven or impaired gait; to move with a physical impediment affecting one's stride. The term denotes literal physical lameness or limping, but can also appear in figurative contexts describing hesitation or indecision (as in the phrase 'limping between two opinions').

Semantic Range

to limp physically, to be lame or disabled in walking, to move unevenly; to waver, to hesitate or vacillate between choices (metaphorical)

Root / Etymology

The root is צ-ל-ע (ts-l-ʻ), associated with the noun צֵלָע (tsela', 'side', 'rib', or sometimes 'beam'). The root conveys the idea of something being uneven, bent, or having an impediment. The meaning as a verb ('to limp, be lame') arises from a sense of moving in an unbalanced or incomplete manner, akin to moving with only one effective side or with a curved step. The connection to 'side' (as in a rib, the side of a structure, etc.) is in the physical sense of lacking central balance or full strength.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, צָלַע is used primarily in reference to the physical act of limping or being lame, especially in narrative passages detailing physical conditions (e.g., Genesis 32:32 after Jacob's wrestling match). The verb also appears in figurative speech, such as in 1 Kings 18:21, where 'limping between two opinions' denotes wavering or indecision, rather than physical lameness. This double usage (both literal and metaphorical) is characteristic of Hebrew's employment of concrete physical imagery for abstract concepts. The noun form צֵלָע is more commonly used in architectural and anatomical descriptions (side, rib, beam), but as a verb, צָלַע's occurrence is more restricted and typically quite clear in context. English translations often render the verb as 'to limp' or 'to be lame,' but the metaphorical sense may be missed or obscured in translation. In terms of historical development, there is no evidence of significant semantic change over time; the core idea of impaired or asymmetric movement is stable.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; probably to curve; used only as denominative from צֵלָע,; to limp (as if one-sided); halt.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

צלע (ts-l-ʿ) — to limp, to be lame, to be uneven

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H5967 עֲלַע ribs
H6761 צֶלַע limping affliction
H6762 צֶלַע in Tselaʻ
H6763 צֵלָע in side-panels of

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6760-01 הַ/צֹּ֣לֵעָ֔ה hatsoleah HTd/Vqrfsa the lame the limping one 3
H6760-02 צֹלֵ֖עַ tsolea HVqrmsa was limping limping one 1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6760-02 Genesis 32:32 צֹלֵ֖עַ tsolea HVqrmsa was limping limping one
H6760-01 Micah 4:6 הַ/צֹּ֣לֵעָ֔ה hatsoleah HTd/Vqrfsa the lame the limping one
H6760-01 Micah 4:7 הַ/צֹּֽלֵעָה֙ hatsoleah HTd/Vqrfsa the-lame-[one] the limping one
H6760-01 Zephaniah 3:19 הַ/צֹּלֵעָ֗ה hatsoleah HTd/Vqrfsa the lame the limping one
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