צִפּוֹר (tsip.por)
tsip.por
bird
H:NQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 29 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun tsippor refers to a bird or fowl, encompassing both small songbirds and larger flying creatures. In the Old Testament, it appears in contexts ranging from the laws of ritual purity to poetic imagery. For instance, Leviticus 14 uses two birds in its cleansing rituals for skin diseases, while Psalms often employs the image of a sparrow finding a home near the altar to express devotion (Psalm 84:3).
Its etymology likely connects to the root tsaphar, meaning to twitter or chirp, highlighting the sound these creatures make. This onomatopoeic origin suggests the word originally described small, noisy birds like sparrows, which appear frequently in Proverbs and Psalms as symbols of vulnerability or sudden danger (Proverbs 26:2). Over time, the term expanded to cover all avian life, including the "fowl" mentioned in Deuteronomy 4:17.
Translators typically render tsippor simply as "bird," though the specific cultural weight of a sparrow adds nuance. In Proverbs 6:5, the word describes being caught like a bird in a hunter’s snare, emphasizing helplessness. This concrete usage grounds the abstract concept of danger in everyday rural experience, making the warning immediate and vivid for ancient listeners.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word tsippor refers to birds, from small songbirds to larger flying creatures. In ancient Israel, these animals were part of daily life and held deep symbolic meaning. They appeared in rituals for cleansing, as seen in Leviticus where two birds were used to restore purity. This shows that even the smallest parts of creation played a role in drawing people closer to God.
Psalm 84:3 uses the image of a sparrow finding a home near the altar to express devotion. It reminds us that God cares about the little things. When we feel small or vulnerable, this word assures us that our Creator notices every detail of our lives. We can trust Him with our fears and uncertainties.
Proverbs 6:5 compares being caught in a trap to a bird in a snare. This vivid picture warns against sudden danger but also points to the need for wisdom. By understanding how this word was used, we see God’s concern for both the physical and spiritual well-being of His people.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 29 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ bird10×
- a bird4×
- like/ a bird3×
- birds3×
- like <the>/ bird2×
- bird2×
- the/ bird[s]1×
- like/ birds1×
- bird of1×
- and/ with the/ bird1×
- and/ poultry1×
- and/ like/ a bird1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/צִּפֹּ֣ר5×
- צִפּ֥וֹר2×
- צִפּ֣וֹר2×
- הַ/צִּפּ֔וֹר2×
- צִפּוֹר֙1×
- צִפּֽוֹר\׃1×
- צִפֳּרִ֥ים1×
- צִפֳּרִ֣ים1×
- צִפֳּרִ֑ים1×
- צִפּ֣וֹר\׀1×
- כַּ/צִּפּ֣וֹר1×
- כַּ/צִּפּ֖וֹר1×
Key Verses
-
Leviticus 14:7
He shall sprinkle on him who is to be cleansed from the leprosy seven times, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the living bird go into the open field.
The living bird is released into the open field, symbolizing freedom and restoration after cleansing.
-
Proverbs 6:5
Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler.
The warning to free oneself like a bird from a snare highlights the urgency of avoiding foolish traps.