צָיַר (tsa.yar)
tsa.yar
to take provision
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb tsayar appears only once in the Old Testament, found in Joshua 9:14. In this context, it describes the Israelite leaders taking provisions from the Gibeonites’ supplies without consulting God first. The word specifically refers to the act of securing or taking food and other essentials for a journey.
Its usage here highlights a moment of haste and deception. The leaders acted on visual evidence rather than divine guidance, grabbing what was offered. This single occurrence underscores the consequences of relying on human judgment in critical decisions, as the provisions they took were part of a trick that led to a treaty with their neighbors.
While its root might suggest broader meanings related to preparation or envoys, tsayar’s biblical footprint is narrow and specific. It serves as a concrete example of how immediate needs can cloud spiritual discernment, marking a pivotal error in Israel’s early history in the Promised Land.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word tsayar appears only once in Scripture, in Joshua 9:14. It describes the Israelite leaders taking provisions from the Gibeonites without first asking God for guidance. This brief moment of haste reveals how urgent needs can cloud our spiritual discernment. When we rely solely on human judgment or visual evidence, we risk making decisions that lead us away from divine direction.
For your faith journey, this word serves as a gentle reminder to pause before acting. It invites you to seek God’s counsel even when circumstances feel pressing. By prioritizing prayer over impulse, you align your heart with His wisdom rather than your immediate desires. This practice fosters trust in His provision and timing.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ they acted as ambassadors1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וַ/יִּצְטַיָּ֑רוּ1×