צָלַל (tsa.lal)
tsa.lal
to shade
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb tsalal describes the transition into darkness, specifically meaning to become or grow dark. It captures the natural dimming of light as evening approaches, rather than a sudden extinguishing of illumination. This word appears only once in the Old Testament, providing a precise snapshot of time and atmosphere.
In Nehemiah 4:5, the text uses this verb to note that "the gates grew dark." Here, it marks the end of the workday as shadows lengthened and visibility faded. The Qal stem focuses on this passive state of becoming dark, while the Hiphil form can imply an active shadowing, though the biblical record relies on the simple sense of dusk settling in.
Its rarity makes its usage significant. By choosing tsalal instead of a more general word for night, the author emphasizes the specific moment when light yields to darkness. This lexical choice grounds the narrative in the physical reality of the builders' day, highlighting the urgency and continuity of their labor as natural light failed.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word tsalal captures the quiet transition from light to dark. It describes how evening naturally settles in, rather than a sudden loss of sight. This gentle dimming marks the end of the workday and the beginning of rest.
In Nehemiah's story, this moment signals when the gates were shut for the Sabbath. The builders stopped their labor as shadows lengthened across Jerusalem. It reminds us that even urgent tasks have their appointed times to pause.
When your own days grow long or difficult, remember that darkness is not always a sign of failure. Sometimes it is simply time to rest and trust in God's protection through the night.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- they became dark1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- צָֽלֲלוּ֩1×
Key Verses
-
Nehemiah 13:19
It came to pass that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the Sabbath, I commanded that the doors should be shut, and commanded that they should not be opened until after the Sabbath. I set some of my servants over the gates, so that no burden should be brought in on the Sabbath day.
This verse uses the word to mark the precise moment when work ceased for the Sabbath, grounding the religious observance in a physical change of light.