צָעַן (tsa.an)
tsa.an
to move
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb tsa.an means simply to move or travel, appearing only once in the Old Testament at Isaiah 33:20. In this single instance, it describes the stable, settled movement of God’s people in Zion, contrasting with the chaotic wandering often associated with exile or judgment.
While the word is rare, its basic sense of locomotion carries weight in Isaiah’s context. The prophet uses it to paint a picture of security and permanence, where the community does not drift away but remains firmly in place. This usage highlights how ordinary words for walking can convey profound theological stability when applied to God’s dwelling place.
Translators typically render tsa.an as "move" or "travel," reflecting its straightforward nature. Its scarcity in Scripture makes this isolated occurrence particularly significant, serving as a unique textual anchor for understanding the specific imagery of divine protection and communal steadiness in Isaiah’s prophecy.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word tsa.an appears only once in the Old Testament, found within Isaiah’s comforting promise to Jerusalem. It describes a steady movement or travel that is secure and permanent. Unlike the chaotic wandering of exile, this motion suggests a people who are settled and safe under God’s care.
For your faith, this rare verb offers a picture of stability. When life feels uncertain, Scripture reminds us that God establishes His people in a place of peace. The imagery of unbroken cords and fixed stakes shows that our spiritual home is secure. We can trust that God holds us firmly, allowing us to move through life with confidence rather than fear.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- anyone will pack up1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יִצְעָן֙1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 33:20
Look at Zion, the city of our appointed festivals. Your eyes will see Jerusalem, a quiet habitation, a tent that won’t be removed. Its stakes will never be plucked up, nor will any of its cords be broken.
This verse uses the word to depict Jerusalem as a stable tent whose stakes remain fixed, symbolizing enduring security for God's people.