חֲצַר סוּסָה (cha.tsar su.sah)
cha.tsar su.sah
Hazar-susah
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The phrase ḥăṣar sūsâ translates literally as "horse village" or "enclosure of horses." It appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, listed among the cities allotted to the tribe of Simeon in the southern territory of Judah (Joshua 19:5).
The name itself provides a clear clue about the location's function. In ancient Israel, keeping large numbers of horses was expensive and restricted; it typically signified royal or military importance rather than ordinary farming life. This fits with later historical notes that identify this same southern site as a place where King Solomon maintained his chariot horses (1 Kings 4:28).
While the word occurs just once in its full form, its meaning is straightforward. It describes a specific settlement known for animal husbandry on a scale beyond typical village life, highlighting how geography and economy were intertwined in the tribal divisions of ancient Israel.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Hazar-susah literally means "horse enclosure." In the ancient world, horses were costly and required significant resources to maintain. They were not common farm animals but symbols of military strength and royal power. By naming a settlement this way, the text highlights that this location held strategic importance for the tribe of Simeon.
For your faith journey, this detail reminds us that God cares about the specific places where His people live. He allocates territory with purpose, ensuring each tribe has land suited to its needs and role. Even a small village named for horses shows how geography and divine provision are intertwined in Scripture.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Hazar1×
- Susah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- סוּסָֽה\׃1×
- וַ/חֲצַ֥ר1×
Key Verses
-
Joshua 19:5
Ziklag, Beth Marcaboth, Hazar Susah,
This verse lists Hazar-susah among the cities allotted to Simeon, showing its role as a designated part of their tribal inheritance.