צִרְעָה
𐤑𐤓𐤏𐤄
tsirʻâh
H6880 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A kind of large, stinging insect, specifically the hornet, referenced in biblical texts as an agent of fear or divine action against peoples. The term denotes an insect known for its painful sting, likely corresponding to what is today called a hornet or a large wasp in the Levant.
Semantic Range
hornet, large stinging wasp, instrument of divine terror
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root צָרַע (tsara‘), which means 'to sting' or 'to cause a burning or stinging'. The noun form צִרְעָה (tsir‘âh) transitions this root meaning to designate the entity that stings, i.e., a hornet or large wasp. The root expresses the action (to sting), and the noun expresses the agent (the stinging insect).
Historical & Contextual Notes
צִרְעָה occurs only three times in the Hebrew Bible (Exodus 23:28; Deuteronomy 7:20; Joshua 24:12), all in the context of divine action in which the hornet (likely a large, aggressive species well-known for its painful sting) is sent ahead of the Israelites to drive out other peoples from the land. Unlike the more general word דְּבוֹרָה (devorah, 'bee'), צִרְעָה refers specifically to a stinging wasp or hornet, and is never used figuratively. In post-biblical Hebrew, the word is rare or absent, with more common terms developing for wasps or hornets. Traditional English translations use 'hornet', which accurately reflects the likely referent, but may obscure the broader category of aggressive stinging insects implied in ancient Near Eastern context. The Septuagint translates with σφήξ ('wasp' or 'hornet'), and later rabbinic interpretation supports the identification with a large, fearsome stinger rather than a honeybee. There is no direct association with Israelite or Judahite ethnic identity. The term functions exclusively as part of divine judgment or terror in these texts, rather than as a zoological description.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from צָרַע; a wasp (as stinging); hornet.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
צרע (ṣ-r-ʿ) — to sting, to cause burning, to inflame
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H6871 | צְרוּעָה | skin-diseased woman |
| H6879 | צָרַע | the skin-diseased one |
| H6881 | צׇרְעָה | from Tsorʻâh |
| H6882 | צׇרְעִי | the Tsorahite |
| H6883 | צָרַעַת | the struck-affliction |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6880-01 |
הַ/צִּרְעָ֖ה | hatsireah | HTd/Ncfsa |
hornet | the hornet | 3 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6880-01 |
Exodus 23:28 | הַ/צִּרְעָ֖ה | hatsireah | HTd/Ncfsa |
the-hornet | the hornet |
H6880-01 |
Deuteronomy 7:20 | הַ/צִּרְעָ֔ה | hatsireah | HTd/Ncfsa |
hornet | the hornet |
H6880-01 |
Joshua 24:12 | הַ/צִּרְעָ֔ה | hatsireah | HTd/Ncfsa |
the hornet | the hornet |