תִּרְזָה
𐤕𐤓𐤆𐤄
tirzâh
H8645 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Species of tree noted for its slender form, likely a type of coniferous or evergreen tree, possibly the cypress or a similar tree. Used in botanical and poetic contexts to denote a distinctive tree of valued wood or appearance.
Semantic Range
species of slender tree, presumably cypress, possibly pine or other coniferous tree; poetic or botanical term for a notable tree of narrow form
Root / Etymology
From the root רזה (razah), meaning 'to be slender, thin,' reflecting the characteristic slenderness of the tree. The word תִּרְזָה (tirzâh) derives from this root with an appended feminine ending, indicating a concretization of the abstract quality of 'slenderness' into a specific botanical entity.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The identification of תִּרְזָה (tirzâh) is not entirely certain, but ancient interpreters and lexicographers have commonly associated it with the cypress or, less frequently, other evergreen conifers. It appears rarely in the Hebrew Bible, most notably in Isaiah 44:14, in poetic context among materials for woodworking or idol manufacture. The tree's valued characteristics include uprightness, fine appearance, and utility of wood, which matched those prized in ancient Near Eastern cultures for construction and artistic purposes. English Bibles sometimes translate the term as 'cypress,' although botanical precision is uncertain. The lexical distinction between תִּרְזָה (tirzâh) and closely related terms such as אֶרֶז (erez, 'cedar') or בְּרוֹשׁ (berosh, often 'cypress' or 'pine') is not always clear across periods and translation traditions. Later rabbinic sources may conflate or attempt to differentiate these terms based on changing nomenclature for timber and trees. The semantic context does not ascribe religious or symbolic significance in the biblical text, focusing instead on the tree's material properties.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
probably from רָזָה; a species of tree (apparently from its slenderness), perhaps the cypress; cypress.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
רזה (r-z-h) — to be slender, to be thin
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H7329 | רָזָה | thin |
| H7330 | רָזֶה | thin |
| H7332 | רָזוֹן | leanness |
| H7334 | רָזִי | wasting leanness |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8645-01 |
תִּרְזָה֙ | tirezah | HNcfsa |
cypress | slender cypress-tree | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8645-01 |
Isaiah 44:14 | תִּרְזָה֙ | tirezah | HNcfsa |
cypress | slender cypress-tree |