בַּצָּרָה (bats.tsa.rah)
bats.tsa.rah
dearth; distress; vexer
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 58 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun batsarah describes a state of severe constraint, whether physical or emotional. It primarily denotes a time of scarcity or famine, capturing the tangible reality of having no food or resources. This sense of deprivation is extended to describe personal distress or tightness of spirit, where one feels trapped by circumstances beyond their control.
A striking usage appears in 1 Samuel 1:6, where the word describes Peninnah’s role as a "vexer" or rival wife who provoked Hannah. Here, the term shifts from environmental lack to interpersonal tension, illustrating how distress can be inflicted by others just as it is caused by famine. The image is of being squeezed or pressed into a corner.
Translators often render batsarah as "distress," "trouble," or "dearth" depending on the context. In the Psalms and Jeremiah, it frequently accompanies calls for help, highlighting the intensity of the petitioner’s need. The word emphasizes the pressure of the situation rather than just the sadness of it.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word batsarah paints a picture of being squeezed tight, whether by hunger, enemy pressure, or the weight of grief. It is not merely sadness but a tangible sense of constraint where resources run out and options seem to vanish. When Scripture uses this term, it often marks the moment when human strength fails and reliance on God becomes necessary.
Consider Jacob’s reflection in Genesis 35:3. He remembers Bethel as the place where God answered him 'in the day of my distress.' This suggests that these seasons of tightness are not abandoned by God but are often the very context in which His faithfulness is most clearly remembered. The pressure does not mean absence; it often highlights dependence.
When you feel trapped by circumstances beyond your control, this word reminds you that God hears the cry from the corner. He is the one who delivers from all adversity. You are not alone in the squeeze. His presence remains steady even when the path forward seems blocked.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 58 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- trouble20×
- distress12×
- troubles2×
- from/ trouble2×
- distress/ their2×
- distress/ my2×
- and/ troubles2×
- troubles/ its1×
- the/ troubles1×
- the/ distress1×
- rival/ her1×
- in/ trouble1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- צָרָֽה\׃8×
- צָרָה֙3×
- צָרָ֧ה3×
- צָרָ֗ה3×
- צָרָ֑ה3×
- מִ/צָּרָ֣ה3×
- צָרָ֥ה2×
- צָרָ֖ה2×
- צָרָ֔ה2×
- צָרָֽה\׃1×
- צָרָתָ֣/ם\׀1×
- צָרָֽה\׃\ \פ1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 35:3
Let’s arise, and go up to Bethel. I will make there an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me on the way which I went.”
Jacob identifies this specific time of distress as the moment God answered him and stayed with him on his journey.
-
Psalms 25:17
The troubles of my heart are enlarged. Oh bring me out of my distresses.
The psalmist describes his internal 'troubles' as enlarged, directly asking God to bring him out of this tightness.
-
Psalms 50:15
Call on me in the day of trouble. I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”
God issues a direct promise that He will deliver those who call on Him specifically in the day of trouble.
-
I Samuel 1:6
Her rival provoked her severely, to irritate her, because Yahweh had shut up her womb.
The term shifts to describe interpersonal vexation, showing how distress can be inflicted by others as well as circumstances.