צָעִיר (tsa.ir)
tsa.ir
little
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 21 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew adjective tsa’ir describes something small, young, or insignificant. It covers a range of meanings depending on context, referring to physical size, age, or social standing. In Genesis, it often marks family dynamics, such as when Jacob is identified as the younger son (Genesis 25:23) or when Joseph’s brothers react to the presence of their youngest sibling (Genesis 43:33). The word captures a sense of being lesser in rank or age.
Its usage extends beyond simple size to include dignity and worth. Judges 6:15 records Gideon describing himself as the least in his family, highlighting humility rather than just physical stature. Similarly, Psalm 119:141 uses it to express feeling small or despised before God. The term appears in prophetic literature too, such as Micah 5:2, where a minor town is chosen for a major royal birth, emphasizing that importance does not always match outward appearance.
The root concept ties back to being restricted or narrow, which explains its application to those with limited power or youth. Translators often render it as "young," "least," or "small." This flexibility shows how biblical authors viewed human status: age and rank are relative, and God frequently works through those the world considers insignificant.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word tsa’ir often points to those who seem small or young in the eyes of the world. It describes physical size, youth, or low social standing. Yet Scripture shows that God’s strength is not limited by human status. When Gideon called himself the least in his family, he was speaking a truth about his circumstances but also opening the door for God to act through him.
This word reminds us that our current position does not define our value before God. Whether you feel overlooked or insignificant, your worth is established by the Creator who chose the small things to shame the mighty. The Bible consistently shows that God lifts up those who are humble and uses the young to accomplish great purposes. Your faithfulness in small matters is seen and valued by Him.
When you face situations where you feel powerless or minor, remember that God’s plans often unfold through unexpected vessels. He does not measure success by outward appearance but by the heart’s orientation toward Him. This perspective brings comfort to those who feel overlooked and hope to those who desire to serve faithfully regardless of their standing.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 21 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ young3×
- [the] young [ones] of2×
- young [son]/ his1×
- the/ young [one]1×
- the/ insignificant1×
- servants/ their1×
- servants/ its1×
- from/ a small [thing]1×
- and/ with/ young [son]/ his1×
- and/ the/ young [brother]1×
- and/ the/ young1×
- and/ the/ little1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- צְעִירֵ֣י2×
- וְ/הַ/צָּעִ֖יר2×
- הַ/צְּעִירָ֖ה2×
- צָעִֽיר\׃1×
- צָעִ֣יר1×
- צָ֘עִ֤יר1×
- צְעִירֶֽי/הָ\׃1×
- צְעִירֵי/הֶ֖ם1×
- צְעִירִ֥ים1×
- צְעִיר/וֹ֙1×
- מִ/צְּעִירָ֑ה1×
- וּ/בִ/צְעִיר֖/וֹ1×
Key Verses
-
Judges 6:15
He said to him, “O Lord, how shall I save Israel? Behold, my family is the poorest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.”
Gideon uses this term to describe his low status in his family, highlighting how God calls individuals from positions of perceived weakness.
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Genesis 25:23
Yahweh said to her, “Two nations are in your womb. Two peoples will be separated from your body. The one people will be stronger than the other people. The elder will serve the younger.”
This verse shows God’s sovereign choice to elevate the younger over the elder, reversing human expectations of birthright priority.
-
Psalms 119:141
I am small and despised. I don’t forget your precepts.
The psalmist acknowledges feeling small and despised but maintains fidelity to God’s commands despite his lowly condition.
-
Isaiah 60:22
The little one will become a thousand, and the small one a strong nation. I, Yahweh, will do this quickly in its time.”
God promises that the little one will become a great nation, emphasizing His power to expand what appears insignificant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word tsa’ir mean?
How is tsa’ir different from other words for small?
Where does this word appear most significantly?
Does this word have a negative connotation?
Every Occurrence (21 verses across 10 books)
Genesis 8 verses
The firstborn said to the younger, “Our father is old, and there is not a man in the earth to come in to us in the way…
Genesis 19:34It came to pass on the next day, that the firstborn said to the younger, “Behold, I lay last night with my father.…
Genesis 19:35They made their father drink wine that night also. The younger went and lay with him. He didn’t know when she lay down,…
Genesis 19:38The younger also bore a son, and called his name Ben Ammi. He is the father of the children of Ammon to this day.
Genesis 25:23Yahweh said to her, “Two nations are in your womb. Two peoples will be separated from your body. The one people will be…
Genesis 29:26Laban said, “It is not done so in our place, to give the younger before the firstborn.
Genesis 43:33They sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth, and the men…
Genesis 48:14Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it on Ephraim’s head, who was the younger, and his left hand on…