צִחֶה (tsi.cheh)
tsi.cheh
parched
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew adjective tsi.cheh describes a state of being thoroughly dried out, specifically translated as "parched." Its intensity suggests more than simple dryness; it implies a condition where moisture has been completely drawn away by heat or neglect, leaving something brittle and lifeless.
This word appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, found in Isaiah 5:13. The prophet uses it to describe the people of Israel who have gone into exile because they did not listen to God's instruction. By calling them "parched," the text paints a vivid picture of spiritual thirst and desolation resulting from that disobedience.
Its rarity makes this single occurrence particularly significant. It serves as a stark metaphor for the consequences of ignoring divine wisdom, linking physical dryness directly to spiritual emptiness in a way that resonates with the agricultural context 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 word צִחֶה (tsi.cheh) paints a stark picture of spiritual desolation. It describes a state so thoroughly dried out that life has fled, leaving behind only brittle emptiness. In Isaiah 5:13, this term captures the consequence of ignoring divine wisdom. The people did not merely stumble; they became spiritually arid, cut off from the source of living water.
For your faith, this offers a sobering reminder of what happens when we drift from God's instruction. It is not just about missing out on blessings, but about entering a state of inner drought where the soul feels hollow and lifeless. Recognizing this dryness is the first step toward seeking restoration.
Yet, this image also highlights our deep need for God. Just as parched earth cries out for rain, our spirits long for His truth. This word invites us to examine our own hearts, ensuring we remain connected to the wisdom that sustains life and prevents spiritual thirst.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [will be] parched of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- צִחֵ֥ה1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 5:13
Therefore my people go into captivity for lack of knowledge. Their honorable men are famished, and their multitudes are parched with thirst.
This is the only occurrence of the word, used to describe the multitudes who suffer spiritual desolation due to a lack of knowledge.