צָעִיר
𐤑𐤏𐤉𐤓
tsâʻîyr
H6810 adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Adjective denoting smallness or being lesser in comparison—can refer to age (younger), size (smaller/littler), number (fewer), or status (least, low in rank or significance). The word is context-dependent: it can describe the youngest among siblings, the smallest entity among a group, few in number, or someone of lesser social standing.
Semantic Range
younger (in age), smallest (in size or degree), fewest (in number), least or lowest (in rank or status); young(est) member of a group, lesser party, minor
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root צָעַר (tsʿr), which means 'to be small, insignificant, few, or young.' The adjective צָעִיר (tsa'ir) is a denominative formation that carries the nuance of 'smaller,' 'younger,' or 'of less significance' depending on its syntactic context.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In narrative and genealogical passages, particularly in Genesis and other historical books, צָעִיר is often used to identify the youngest sibling (e.g., Benjamin as the "youngest" of Jacob's sons). Elsewhere it may describe a group or entity as 'lesser' either in number, size, or status, and in certain contexts carries a social nuance, marking someone as of lower rank or more minor importance. The term can contrast with גָּדוֹל (gadôl, 'great, elder, important'). In post-exilic usage, the word retains similar meanings. English translations often render the word as 'young,' 'younger,' 'small,' or 'least,' depending on context, but these cannot always capture the culturally specific implications regarding family hierarchy or social status. The term is not inherently pejorative; it is relational rather than derogatory.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or צָעוֹר; from צָעַר; little; (in number) few; (in age) young, (in value) ignoble; least, little (one), small (one), [phrase] young(-er, -est).
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
צער (ts-ʿ-r) — smallness, fewness, insignificance, youth
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4705 | מִצְעָר | for a little while |
| H4706 | מִצְעָר | Small Peak |
| H6686 | צוּעָר | Tsuar |
| H6730 | צִיעֹר | and Zior |
| H6811 | צָעִיר | toward Tsair |
Word Forms
13 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6810-02 |
הַ/צְּעִירָ֖ה | hatseirah | HTd/Aafsa |
the younger | the lesser (feminine) | the younger | 5 |
H6810-03 |
צָעִֽיר | tsair | HAamsa |
small | smaller one | smaller one | 5 |
H6810-01 |
הַ/צָּעִ֔יר | hatsair | HTd/Aamsa |
was the younger | the lesser one | the younger | 2 |
H6810-04 |
צְעִירֵ֣י | tseirey | HAampc |
the little ones | smaller ones of | little ones of | 2 |
H6810-12 |
וְ/הַ/צָּעִ֖יר | vehatsair | HC/Td/Aamsa |
and the smallest | and the lesser one | and the least one | 2 |
H6810-13 |
וְ/הַ/צְּעִירָ֤ה | vehatseirah | HC/Td/Aafsa |
the younger | and the lesser one | and the younger | 1 |
H6810-09 |
צעורי/ה | tsvryh | HAampc/Sp3fs |
her little ones | her smaller ones | her smaller ones | 1 |
H6810-10 |
צעורי/הם | tsvryhm | HAampc/Sp3mp |
their little ones | their lesser ones | their little ones | 1 |
H6810-06 |
צְעִירֵי/הֶ֖ם | tseireyhem | HAampc/Sp3mp |
their young ones | their lesser ones | their young ones | 1 |
H6810-05 |
צְעִירֶֽי/הָ | tseireyha | HAampc/Sp3fs |
her little ones | her lesser ones | her lesser ones | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
24 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6810-02 |
Genesis 19:31 | הַ/צְּעִירָ֖ה | hatseirah | HTd/Aafsa |
the younger | the lesser (feminine) | the younger daughter |
H6810-02 |
Genesis 19:34 | הַ/צְּעִירָ֔ה | hatseirah | HTd/Aafsa |
the younger | the lesser (feminine) | the younger |
H6810-02 |
Genesis 19:35 | הַ/צְּעִירָה֙ | hatseirah | HTd/Aafsa |
the younger | the lesser (feminine) | the younger |
H6810-13 |
Genesis 19:38 | וְ/הַ/צְּעִירָ֤ה | vehatseirah | HC/Td/Aafsa |
the younger | and the lesser one | and the younger |
H6810-03 |
Genesis 25:23 | צָעִֽיר | tsair | HAamsa |
the younger | smaller one | smaller one |
H6810-02 |
Genesis 29:26 | הַ/צְּעִירָ֖ה | hatseirah | HTd/Aafsa |
the younger | the lesser (feminine) | the younger |
H6810-12 |
Genesis 43:33 | וְ/הַ/צָּעִ֖יר | vehatsair | HC/Td/Aamsa |
and the youngest | and the lesser one | and the youngest |
H6810-01 |
Genesis 48:14 | הַ/צָּעִ֔יר | hatsair | HTd/Aamsa |
was the younger | the lesser one | the younger |
H6810-11 |
Joshua 6:26 | וּ/בִ/צְעִיר֖/וֹ | uvitseiro | HC/R/Aamsc/Sp3ms |
and with his youngest | and with his lesser one | and with his youngest |
H6810-01 |
Judges 6:15 | הַ/צָּעִ֖יר | hatsair | HTd/Aamsa |
the least | the lesser one | the lesser one |