צֹרֶךְ
𐤑𐤓𐤊
tsôrek
H6878 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Basic requirement, necessity, or something regarded as essential for fulfillment or survival; refers to a condition of being in want or lacking something that is needed. It can also denote a practical purpose or an obligatory need in administrative or cultic contexts.
Semantic Range
need (as necessity), requirement, purpose, use; something required for fulfillment or ongoing function; practical necessity in administrative or cultic context
Root / Etymology
Root/Etymology: Derived from the root צ־ר־ך (צָרַךְ, tsarakh), meaning 'to need' or 'to have need'—though the verbal form does not appear in the biblical text. Tsôrek is thus a noun formation expressing the abstract concept of 'need' or 'requirement.' The root is related to other Northwest Semitic languages where similar forms denote need or necessity.
Historical & Contextual Notes
צֹרֶךְ appears relatively infrequently in the Hebrew Bible. It is most often used in administrative or legalistic language to designate something required for a particular purpose, such as supplies, materials, or circumstances needed for communal or cultic life (e.g., Exodus 12:16 regarding work necessary for food preparation on holy days, in contrast to prohibited labor). The word is also used more generally for individual or communal necessity. In later post-biblical Hebrew (e.g., in Rabbinic literature and modern Hebrew), צֹרֶךְ is the standard term for 'need' or 'necessity.' The English 'need' is often an adequate translation, but certain nuances (e.g., the distinction between existential necessity and regulated requirement) may not always be captured in translation. In the biblical context, צֹרֶךְ typically lacks emotional or subjective connotation and refers more to objective requirements or practical uses. Unlike related terms such as חֶסֶר (ḥeser, lack) or אֶבְיוֹן (evyon, needy/poor person), צֹרֶךְ designates the concept of need itself, not the state of lacking or the person experiencing need.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from an unused root meaning to need; need; need.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
צרך (ts-r-kh) — need, require, necessity
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6878-01 |
צָרְכֶּ֔/ךָ | tsarekekha | HNcmsc/Sp2ms |
your-need | your need | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6878-01 |
2 Chronicles 2:15 | צָרְכֶּ֔/ךָ | tsarekekha | HNcmsc/Sp2ms |
your-need | your need |