צֹר (tsor)
tsor
Tyre
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 21 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The Hebrew word tsor refers to Tyre, a prominent Phoenician city located on the Mediterranean coast. Its name literally means "rock," reflecting the natural geography of its ancient settlement. The older part of the city stood on the mainland, while later expansions moved onto an adjacent island, creating a formidable fortified harbor that defined its strategic importance.
Scripture portrays Tyre as a center of immense wealth and international trade. In passages like 1 Kings 5:15 and Psalm 45:12, the city is noted for supplying cedar and skilled craftsmen to King Solomon’s temple projects, highlighting its role in Israel’s golden age. However, prophetic books such as Isaiah 23 and Ezekiel 26 also feature Tyre prominently, often describing divine judgment against its pride and commercial arrogance.
The etymology connects the city directly to its physical foundation. By naming it "rock," the text underscores both its stability and its enduring presence in the ancient world. This geographical reality shaped its history, allowing it to survive sieges and remain a key player in regional politics for centuries.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Tyre literally means rock, reflecting the sturdy geography of this ancient Phoenician city. In Scripture, it stands as a symbol of wealth and human strength. We see this in 2 Samuel 5:11, where King Hiram supplies cedar and skilled workers to build David’s palace. This partnership shows how God can use even distant nations to accomplish His purposes for Israel.
Yet the prophets also warn against trusting in such stability. Isaiah 23 describes how pride leads to downfall, reminding us that no earthly power is permanent. When we face our own challenges, we can look beyond temporary security to find lasting hope in God alone.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 21 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Tyre16×
- to/ Tyre3×
- from/ Tyre2×
- and/ Tyre1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- צֹ֔ר4×
- צֹ֑ר3×
- צֹ֥ר2×
- צֹ֖ר2×
- צֹר֙1×
- צֹֽר\׃1×
- צֹ֣ר1×
- צֹ֠ר1×
- צֹ֛ר1×
- מִ/צֹּֽר\׃1×
- מִ/צֹּ֔ר1×
- לְ/צֹר֙1×
Key Verses
-
II Samuel 5:11
Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, with cedar trees, carpenters, and masons; and they built David a house.
This verse highlights the word by showing Tyre as a source of vital resources and skilled labor for King David’s kingdom.
-
Isaiah 23:8
Who has planned this against Tyre, the giver of crowns, whose merchants are princes, whose traders are the honorable of the earth?
Here the term identifies the city as the 'giver of crowns,' emphasizing its historical role in international trade and political influence.
-
Zechariah 9:3
Tyre built herself a stronghold, and heaped up silver like the dust, and fine gold like the mire of the streets.
The word appears in a context describing how Tyre accumulated wealth, illustrating the human drive for security through material gain.