צוֹא (tso)
tso
filthy
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew word tso describes something that is fundamentally filthy or unclean. It functions as an adjective to characterize a state of defilement, and occasionally appears as a noun referring to the filth itself. With only two occurrences in the entire Old Testament, its usage is rare but specific.
Both instances are found in the book of Zechariah (1:15 and 7:14). In these contexts, the term highlights the spiritual pollution or moral defilement that led to judgment. The sources identify it as a descriptive label for uncleanness, emphasizing a condition that is repulsive or degraded.
Its scarcity makes each appearance significant. By limiting its use to prophetic warnings in Zechariah, the text reserves this strong language for moments of serious spiritual crisis. It serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of turning away from God, marking a state of impurity that requires divine intervention.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word tso describes a state of being fundamentally filthy or unclean. In the Old Testament, it is used rarely to highlight spiritual pollution and moral defilement that leads to judgment. Its scarcity makes each appearance significant, reserving this strong language for moments of serious spiritual crisis.
In Zechariah 3:3-4, we see a powerful visual of this concept. Joshua the high priest stands before the angel wearing filthy garments, representing the burden of iniquity. Yet, God does not leave him there. He commands the removal of these garments and promises to clothe Joshua with rich clothing, symbolizing forgiveness and restoration.
This imagery offers deep comfort. It reminds us that our spiritual defilement is real, but God’s grace is greater. He removes what weighs us down and replaces it with righteousness. This transformation shows that no matter how heavy our burden feels, divine intervention can bring cleansing and hope.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- filthy1×
- <the>/ filthy1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- צוֹאִ֑ים1×
- הַ/צֹּאִ֖ים1×
Key Verses
-
Zechariah 3:3
Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the angel.
This verse uses the word to describe Joshua's garments, visually representing the weight of sin and defilement before God.
-
Zechariah 3:4
He answered and spoke to those who stood before him, saying, “Take the filthy garments off him.” To him he said, “Behold, I have caused your iniquity to pass from you, and I will clothe you with rich clothing.”
Here the command to remove the filthy garments illustrates God's act of taking away iniquity and providing righteousness.