צַוַּאר (tsav.var)

tsav.var

neck

H6676 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 3 verses

A:N-M

Language: Biblical Hebrew
Testament: Old Testament
Occurrences: 3 verses
Root: —
Part of speech: A:N-M

Word Overview

The Aramaic noun tsavvar refers simply to the neck, appearing in only three verses within the Hebrew Bible, all located in the book of Daniel. As a direct cognate of the Hebrew tzeva’ar, it carries the same basic anatomical meaning without significant semantic shift.

Its usage is notably concrete and physical, often serving as the site of royal insignia or punishment. In Daniel 5:29, Belshazzar orders that a golden chain be placed around the neck of Daniel, marking his elevation to high honor. Conversely, in Daniel 1:4 and 6:7, the term appears in contexts involving submission or constraint, highlighting its role as a point of vulnerability and authority.

Translators consistently render this word as "neck," preserving the literal sense found in the Aramaic sections of Daniel. The rarity of the term in Scripture means it does not develop complex metaphorical layers beyond its physical reference, serving primarily to ground the narrative in tangible human experience.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word for "neck" in these verses carries a heavy weight of honor and vulnerability. In Daniel 5, Belshazzar orders a golden chain placed around Daniel’s neck to mark his new status as the third ruler. This physical act was not merely decorative; it signified that Daniel now carried the authority of the kingdom on his shoulders. It reminds us that God often elevates His servants in ways that publicly display His favor, even when they serve under pagan rulers.

Yet the neck is also a place of submission and constraint. To wear a chain was to accept a role that required obedience to the king’s decree. For believers today, this duality invites reflection on how we carry our own callings. We may find ourselves in positions of influence or responsibility, wearing the "chain" of our duties with humility. It is not about pride in the gold, but faithfulness in the role God allows us to hold.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.

neck/ his2×
neck/ your1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

צַוְּארָ֔/ךְ1×
צַוְּארֵ֔/הּ1×
צַוְּארֵ֑/הּ1×

Key Verses

Daniel 5:7
The king cried aloud to bring in the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. The king spoke and said to the wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this writing and shows me its interpretation shall be clothed with purple, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.”

This verse establishes the specific reward of a golden chain around the neck as a public sign of elevated status within the Babylonian court.
Daniel 5:16
But I have heard of you, that you can give interpretations and dissolve doubts. Now if you can read the writing and make known to me its interpretation, you shall be clothed with purple, and have a chain of gold around your neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.”

Here the promise is reiterated to Daniel, linking the physical act of wearing the chain directly to his ability to interpret the mysterious writing.
Daniel 5:29
Then Belshazzar commanded, and they clothed Daniel with purple, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.

This occurrence records the actual fulfillment of the command, showing Daniel physically adorned with the gold chain as he assumes his new position.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the word "neck" (tsavvar) signify in Daniel?

In the book of Daniel, this Aramaic word refers literally to the neck. It is used specifically to describe the placement of a golden chain around Daniel’s neck, which served as a visible symbol of his new honor and authority as the third ruler in the kingdom.

Why is a golden chain mentioned in relation to the neck?

The chain was part of the royal reward offered by King Belshazzar. Placing it around the neck was a tangible way to confer status, similar to how purple robes were used. It marked Daniel as someone who had been elevated from his previous position to one of high respect in the court.

Is this word used metaphorically elsewhere in the Bible?

While other Hebrew words for neck are used metaphorically (such as a "stubborn neck"), this specific Aramaic term in Daniel is used quite literally. It grounds the narrative in physical reality, emphasizing the actual honor and public recognition given to Daniel by the Babylonian king.

Every Occurrence (3 verses across 1 books)

Daniel 3 verses

Daniel 5:7

The king cried aloud to bring in the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. The king spoke and said to the…

Daniel 5:16

But I have heard of you, that you can give interpretations and dissolve doubts. Now if you can read the writing and…

Daniel 5:29

Then Belshazzar commanded, and they clothed Daniel with purple, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made…