צִי (tsi)
tsi
ship
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun tsi refers simply to a ship or vessel, appearing only three times in the Old Testament within Numbers, Isaiah, and Daniel. Its usage is sparse but significant, marking moments where maritime travel or naval power intersects with Israel’s story.
Unlike broader terms for watercraft, tsi often carries a sense of large, ocean-going vessels capable of long-distance trade or military projection. In Isaiah 23:1, it describes the ships of Tarshish, highlighting the economic and political reach of distant powers that threaten Judah’s security.
The word’s limited occurrence underscores how rare direct references to seafaring were in Hebrew literature compared to land-based imagery. When it does appear, it usually signals foreign influence or divine judgment extending beyond Israel’s borders, as seen in Daniel 11:30 where ships of Kittim represent imperial forces.
Translators consistently render tsi as "ship," reflecting its straightforward meaning without the metaphorical richness found in other biblical nautical terms. Its presence reminds readers that ancient Israel existed within a connected world where sea routes shaped history and prophecy.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word tsi refers to a large ship, appearing just three times in the Old Testament. It describes ocean-going vessels capable of long-distance trade or military power. While Israel was primarily a land-based nation, these rare mentions remind us that ancient history was shaped by sea routes and distant powers.
In Isaiah 33:21, we see a beautiful contrast. The prophet speaks of a future where Yahweh dwells in majesty, surrounded by wide rivers. In that peaceful place, no galley with oars will go, and no gallant ship will pass by. This image suggests a time when human conflict and the threat of foreign naval forces are completely removed.
For your faith today, this word offers comfort. It reminds us that while empires rise and fall through their strength, God remains the steady presence in our lives. We can trust in His protection even when the world around us feels unstable or threatened by distant powers.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ ships1×
- and/ a ship1×
- <the> ships of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- צִיִּ֤ים1×
- וְ/צִים֙1×
- וְ/צִ֥י1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 33:21
But there Yahweh will be with us in majesty, a place of wide rivers and streams, in which no galley with oars will go, neither will any gallant ship pass by there.
This verse uses tsi to describe a 'gallant ship' that will no longer pass through God's peaceful domain, highlighting the removal of military threat in His presence.
-
Daniel 11:30
For ships of Kittim will come against him. Therefore he will be grieved, and will return, and have indignation against the holy covenant, and will take action. He will even return, and have regard to those who forsake the holy covenant.
Here tsi refers to ships of Kittim representing imperial forces that cause grief and provoke a reaction against the holy covenant, showing how foreign power intersects with spiritual conflict.
-
Numbers 24:24
But ships shall come from the coast of Kittim. They shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber. He also shall come to destruction.”
Balaam prophesies that ships from Kittim will afflict Asshur, illustrating the word's use in describing distant naval powers affecting Israel's geopolitical landscape.