צָיוֹן (tsi.von)
tsi.von
dryness
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun tsion describes a state of extreme aridity, referring specifically to parched ground or dryness. It is not a general term for water scarcity but points to land that has lost its moisture entirely, becoming hard and barren. This word appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, giving it a concentrated impact in its limited context.
In Isaiah 32:15, the term illustrates the transformative power of God’s spirit. The text contrasts the current state of the land—described as tsion, or dry and lifeless—with a future where water pours out upon the wilderness. Here, the word serves as a vivid backdrop for renewal, highlighting how divine intervention turns barrenness into fertility.
The root meaning emphasizes the physical condition of the soil rather than a metaphorical spiritual state. Translators often render it as "dryness" or "parched land," capturing the tangible reality of a landscape unable to support life without external help. This concrete imagery underscores the dependence of the land on rain and divine provision.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word tsion paints a picture of land so parched it cannot hold life. It is not just a lack of rain, but a deep, hard dryness that makes growth impossible. When we read this in Scripture, we see how desperate the situation is for natural help.
Yet this image sets the stage for God’s refreshing power. In Isaiah 32:15, the Spirit is poured out like water on this dry place. The transformation is complete, turning barren ground into a garden. It reminds us that true life comes from above, not from our own efforts.
This hope remains for you today. When your heart feels as dry and weary as that ancient soil, remember that God brings rain to the wilderness. His presence turns desolation into fertility, offering rest and renewal to all who seek Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- in/ a dry land2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בְּ/צָי֔וֹן2×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 25:5
As the heat in a dry place you will bring down the noise of strangers; as the heat by the shade of a cloud, the song of the dreaded ones will be brought low.
This verse uses the concept of dryness to describe how God silences the noise of oppressors, showing His power over hostile forces.
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Isaiah 32:2
A man shall be as a hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the storm, as streams of water in a dry place, as the shade of a large rock in a weary land.
Here the imagery of a dry place highlights the vital importance of finding refuge in God, who provides streams of water where none exist naturally.