צְלָצַל
𐤑𐤋𐤑𐤋
tsᵉlâtsal
H6767 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A metallic or sharp, clanging or rattling sound; by extension, a musical instrument producing such a clanging sound (cymbal), and, in some contexts, objects or creatures associated with this kind of noise. Refers concretely to an ancient percussion instrument (cymbal), but may also metaphorically denote buzzing or whirring noises, such as those made by insects (locusts/crickets), and can refer to a harpoon or spear, likely referencing the sound it emits in use or motion.
Semantic Range
clanging or metallic sound, cymbal (musical instrument), whirring or buzzing wings (insects), cricket or locust (by onomatopoeia), rattling spear or harpoon
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root צָלַל (tsalal), meaning 'to tinkle, ring, or produce a ringing sound.' The noun is a reduplication form, emphasizing repeated or intensified action or sound. The word evolved to refer not only to musical instruments (specifically cymbal-like instruments) but also to objects or creatures producing similar metallic or ringing noises.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical Hebrew, צְלָצַל most commonly denotes a percussive musical instrument utilized in temple ritual settings—functionally akin to a hand cymbal that produces a sharp metallic clang. The root sense of repetitive or ringing noise also underlies its metaphorical uses for whirring insects (such as locusts or crickets; cf. Isaiah 18:1) and for the spear or harpoon, perhaps because of a rattling sound produced during handling. The semantic spread thus unites various referents via the sensory experience of rapid, repeating sound. In early periods (monarchic, exilic), the musical sense predominates (see Psalm 150:5). Prophetic literature (notably Isaiah 18:1) employs the term in poetic descriptions of buzzing insects. English translations often render the term according to context: 'cymbal,' 'locust,' or 'spear/harpoon.' Later tradition sometimes conflates musical and non-musical meanings. For non-musical referents, the term is largely poetic or metaphorical.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from צָלַל reduplicated; a clatter, i.e. (abstractly) whirring (of wings); (concretely) a cricket; also a harpoon (as rattling), a cymbal (as clanging); cymbal, locust, shadowing, spear.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
צצל (ṣ-ṣ-l) — ringing, clanging, tinkling, buzzing
Word Forms
6 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6767-06 |
בְ/צִלְצְלֵי | vetsiletseley | HR/Ncmpc |
with cymbals | with clanging-cymbals of | 1 |
H6767-01 |
בְּֽ/צִלְצְלֵ֥י | betsiletseley | HR/Ncmpc |
with cymbals | with clanging-cymbals of | 1 |
H6767-02 |
הַ/צְּלָצַֽל | hatselatsal | HTd/Ncmsa |
the locust | the clanging cymbal | 1 |
H6767-03 |
צִלְצַ֣ל | tsiletsal | HNcmsc |
whirring | clanging of | 1 |
H6767-05 |
וּ/בְ/צִלְצַ֖ל | uvetsiletsal | HC/R/Ncmsc |
or with | and with clanging-cymbal of | 1 |
H6767-04 |
וּֽ/בְ/צֶלְצֶלִֽים | uvetseletselim | HC/R/Ncmpa |
and cymbals | and with clanging-cymbals | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
6 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6767-02 |
Deuteronomy 28:42 | הַ/צְּלָצַֽל | hatselatsal | HTd/Ncmsa |
the locust | the clanging cymbal |
H6767-04 |
2 Samuel 6:5 | וּֽ/בְ/צֶלְצֶלִֽים | uvetseletselim | HC/R/Ncmpa |
and cymbals | and with clanging-cymbals |
H6767-03 |
Isaiah 18:1 | צִלְצַ֣ל | tsiletsal | HNcmsc |
whirring | clanging of |
H6767-06 |
Psalms 150:5 | בְ/צִלְצְלֵי | vetsiletseley | HR/Ncmpc |
with cymbals | with clanging-cymbals of |
H6767-01 |
Psalms 150:5 | בְּֽ/צִלְצְלֵ֥י | betsiletseley | HR/Ncmpc |
with cymbals | with clanging-cymbals of |
H6767-05 |
Job 40:31 | וּ/בְ/צִלְצַ֖ל | uvetsiletsal | HC/R/Ncmsc |
or with | and with clanging-cymbal of |