צִקְלַג (tsiq.lag)
tsiq.lag
Ziklag
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 11 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The name Ziklag, meaning "winding," refers to a town in the southern region of Judah that later became part of the territory allotted to the tribe of Simeon. Its location on the borderlands made it a strategic point during the conflicts between Israel and the Philistines.
It is best known as the place where King David found refuge while fleeing from Saul. After presenting himself to Achish, king of Gath, David was granted Ziklag as his residence (1 Samuel 27:6). This town served as a base for David and his men during their years in exile, marking a crucial transitional period before he became king over all Israel.
Although the city appears in later genealogical records (1 Chronicles 4:31), its primary significance lies in this narrative of displacement and divine protection. The sources highlight that Ziklag was not merely a geographic location but a place of providential shelter during David's most uncertain times.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Ziklag was a small town on the edge of Judah’s territory, often shifting hands between Israel and its neighbors. For David, it became more than just a place on a map; it was a refuge during his years of fleeing King Saul. When he arrived there as a fugitive, he found shelter and time to regroup with his loyal followers.
This history reminds us that God often provides safe havens in unexpected places. Even when circumstances seem unstable or dangerous, divine protection can turn a borderland into a base for future strength. It shows that seasons of waiting are not wasted but are part of a larger plan.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 11 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Ziklag7×
- in/ Ziklag2×
- and/ in/ Ziklag2×
- and/ Ziklag2×
- to/ Ziklag1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- צִ֣קְלַ֔ג3×
- וְ/צִֽקְלַ֥ג2×
- צִקְלַ֖ג1×
- צִֽקְלָ֑ג1×
- צִֽקְלַג֙1×
- צִֽקְלַ֖ג1×
- לְ/צִ֣יקְלַ֔ג1×
- וּ/בְ/צִֽקְלַ֥ג1×
- וּ/בְ/צִֽיקְלָֽג\׃1×
- בְּ/צִקְלָ֖ג1×
- בְּ/צִֽקְלָ֑ג1×
Key Verses
-
I Samuel 27:6
Then Achish gave him Ziklag that day: therefore Ziklag belongs to the kings of Judah to this day.
This verse marks the moment David received Ziklag, establishing it as his secure base while he navigated life under Philistine rule.
-
I Samuel 30:1
When David and his men had come to Ziklag on the third day, the Amalekites had made a raid on the South and on Ziklag, and had struck Ziklag and burned it with fire,
Here the town becomes the setting for a devastating attack that tests David’s faith and leads to a decisive victory over the Amalekites.
-
I Chronicles 12:1
Now these are those who came to David to Ziklag while he was a fugitive from Saul the son of Kish. They were among the mighty men, his helpers in war.
This occurrence highlights Ziklag as a gathering point where mighty warriors joined David, strengthening his leadership before he became king.