צוּץ (tsuts)
tsuts
to blossom; to gaze
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb tsuts carries two distinct but related meanings: to bloom and to gaze. In its most common usage, it describes the act of flowering or shining forth, capturing the sudden emergence of life or light. This sense appears in poetic texts where nature’s vitality is celebrated, such as in Psalm 103:15, which compares human life to grass that springs up briefly before fading.
Less frequently, particularly in the Hiphil stem, tsuts shifts from plants to people, meaning to gaze or peer closely. This usage brings a vivid image of eyes sparkling with interest or curiosity as one looks intently at something. The Song of Solomon uses this sense when describing lovers observing each other, highlighting how attention can be as bright and engaging as a flower in full bloom.
These two meanings are not unrelated; both involve an active unfolding—whether it is a bud opening to the sun or eyes widening in wonder. Translators often render tsuts as "blossom" or "shine," but the underlying idea of radiant emergence remains consistent across contexts, linking the beauty of creation with the intensity of human perception.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word tsuts paints a picture of life bursting forth in two distinct ways. In the Psalms, it describes grass that springs up overnight, capturing the sudden vitality of nature. This image reminds us that our own lives, though brief like the morning dew, are filled with moments of genuine growth and beauty.
Yet the same word also shifts to describe a person gazing intently. In Song of Solomon, it captures the focused attention between lovers, where eyes sparkle with interest. Both meanings share a core idea: an active unfolding. Whether it is a bud opening to the sun or eyes widening in wonder, tsuts speaks of radiant emergence.
For your faith, this word invites you to notice the small, bright moments of life. It encourages a posture of attentive wonder, seeing God’s hand in both the fleeting beauty of creation and the deep connections we share with others.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- it will shine1×
- it will blossom1×
- it flourishes1×
- he flourishes1×
- and/ may people blossom1×
- [is] peering1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יָצִ֥יץ2×
- מֵצִ֖יץ1×
- יָצִֽיץ\׃1×
- יָצִ֣יץ1×
- וְ/יָצִ֥יצוּ1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 103:15
As for man, his days are like grass. As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
This verse uses the word to highlight the brevity of human life, comparing our days to grass that flourishes briefly before fading.
-
Song of Solomon 2:9
My beloved is like a roe or a young deer. Behold, he stands behind our wall! He looks in at the windows. He glances through the lattice.
Here the verb describes the beloved looking through the lattice, using the sense of gazing with focused attention and interest.
-
Isaiah 27:6
In days to come, Jacob will take root. Israel will blossom and bud. They will fill the surface of the world with fruit.
The prophet uses this word to promise future restoration, depicting Israel as a plant that will blossom and bud abundantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word tsuts mean?
Why does the same word mean both 'blossom' and 'gaze'?
Where does this word appear in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (6 verses across 3 books)
Psalms 4 verses
Abundance of grain shall be throughout the land. Its fruit sways like Lebanon. Let it flourish, thriving like the grass…
Psalms 90:6In the morning it sprouts and springs up. By evening, it is withered and dry.
Psalms 103:15As for man, his days are like grass. As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
Psalms 132:18I will clothe his enemies with shame, but on himself, his crown will shine.”