צַ֫יִד (tsa.yid)
tsa.yid
wild game; food
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 18 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun tsa.yid refers to wild game or the act of hunting it, serving as a concrete term for meat in the ancient Near East. It appears eighteen times in the Hebrew Bible, with significant usage in Genesis and Joshua where food supplies are critical to the narrative. The word captures both the activity of pursuing animals and the resulting provision that sustains life.
Its meaning extends beyond simple sustenance to represent a specific type of food source distinct from cultivated crops. In Genesis 27:7, Isaac asks Jacob to prepare a dish using tsa.yid, highlighting its role in preparing special meals. Similarly, in Joshua 9:11, the Gibeonites describe their supplies as including bread and clothing alongside provisions that may include game, showing it was part of standard travel rations.
The term carries practical weight in stories where survival depends on available resources. It appears in Psalms as well, reflecting its place in daily life and worship contexts. Translators typically render it as "game" or "food," capturing its dual sense of hunted animal and prepared meal without adding theological speculation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we read about hunting in Scripture, it often feels like a distant activity from our modern lives. Yet this word for wild game reminds us that God cares about the practical details of survival. In ancient times, securing food was not guaranteed. It required effort, skill, and patience. This reality grounds our faith in the physical world, showing that spiritual blessings often meet us through everyday provisions.
The story of Isaac and his sons highlights how deeply food was tied to family identity and blessing. Esau traded his birthright for a meal, while Jacob sought to secure the promise through careful preparation. These narratives show that what we value and how we provide for others matters greatly to God. He sees our labor and our desires.
We can find comfort in knowing that the same God who provided game for hunters also provides for us today. Whether through our own work or the generosity of others, daily sustenance is a gift. This word invites us to appreciate the tangible ways God meets our needs, encouraging gratitude for the simple yet essential food on our tables.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 18 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- wild game5×
- hunting3×
- some of/ [the] wild game of2×
- some of/ wild game/ my1×
- some of/ provision[s]/ their1×
- provision[s]/ their1×
- provision[s]/ its1×
- hunted game of1×
- game/ his1×
- from/ hunting/ his1×
- food-supply/ its1×
- food1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- צַ֖יִד4×
- צָֽיִד\׃2×
- מִ/צֵּ֣יד2×
- צַיִד֩1×
- צַ֣יִד1×
- צַ֛יִד1×
- צֵידָ֔/ם1×
- צֵיד֑/וֹ1×
- צֵ֭ידָ/הּ1×
- צֵ֫יד֥/וֹ1×
- צֵ֥יד1×
- מִ/צֵּידֽ/וֹ\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 27:7
‘Bring me venison, and make me savory food, that I may eat, and bless you before Yahweh before my death.’
This verse shows the word used in a request for special preparation to secure a paternal blessing, linking physical provision with spiritual inheritance.
-
Genesis 25:28
Now Isaac loved Esau, because he ate his venison. Rebekah loved Jacob.
Here the term describes the actual food eaten by Isaac, illustrating how specific culinary preferences influenced family relationships and divine plans.
-
Proverbs 12:27
The slothful man doesn’t roast his game, but the possessions of diligent men are prized.
The proverb contrasts the slothful who neglect to prepare their game with the diligent, using hunting results as a metaphor for the value of hard work.
-
Leviticus 17:13
“‘Whatever man there is of the children of Israel, or of the strangers who live as foreigners among them, who takes in hunting any animal or bird that may be eaten, he shall pour out its blood, and cover it with dust.
This law regulates the hunting of wild animals, requiring blood to be poured out and covered, showing respect for life even in the act of securing food.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word tsa.yid mean?
Why is this word important in Genesis?
How does tsa.yid differ from other words for food?
Every Occurrence (18 verses across 7 books)
Genesis 11 verses
He was a mighty hunter before Yahweh. Therefore it is said, “like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before Yahweh”.
Genesis 25:27The boys grew. Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field. Jacob was a quiet man, living in tents.
Genesis 25:28Now Isaac loved Esau, because he ate his venison. Rebekah loved Jacob.
Genesis 27:3Now therefore, please take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field, and get me venison.
Genesis 27:5Rebekah heard when Isaac spoke to Esau his son. Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it.
Genesis 27:7‘Bring me venison, and make me savory food, that I may eat, and bless you before Yahweh before my death.’
Genesis 27:19Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn. I have done what you asked me to do. Please arise, sit and eat of…
Genesis 27:25He said, “Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son’s venison, that my soul may bless you.” He brought it near to…
Genesis 27:30As soon as Isaac had finished blessing Jacob, and Jacob had just gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, Esau…
Genesis 27:31He also made savory food, and brought it to his father. He said to his father, “Let my father arise, and eat of his…
Genesis 27:33Isaac trembled violently, and said, “Who, then, is he who has taken venison, and brought it to me, and I have eaten of…