קְוֻצּוֹת (qe.vuts.tsah)
qe.vuts.tsah
lock
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun qetsot refers specifically to locks or tufts of hair. It appears only twice in the Old Testament, both within Song of Solomon 4:1 and 6:7. In these verses, the beloved describes his partner’s hair as a flock of goats descending from Mount Gilead, using this concrete image to highlight the beauty and texture of her tresses.
This word is distinct from general terms for hair (se’ar) or locks in a more neutral sense. It carries a poetic weight, evoking something thick, curly, or distinctly formed. The sources note its exclusive use in this romantic context, where physical description serves as a metaphor for attraction and admiration. Translators typically render it simply as "locks" or "tresses," preserving the tangible, visual quality of the original imagery without adding abstract interpretation.
The rarity of qetsot underscores the specificity of biblical poetry. By choosing this precise term, the text invites the reader to visualize not just hair in general, but defined, beautiful strands. This focus on physical detail reflects the Song’s celebration of human love and creation, grounding spiritual affection in the reality of the body.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word qetsot describes specific locks or tufts of hair, appearing only twice in Scripture within the Song of Solomon. This rare term paints a vivid picture of beauty, comparing hair to a flock of goats descending from Mount Gilead. It is not a generic word for hair but one that suggests texture, volume, and distinct form.
In these poetic passages, physical description serves as a celebration of human love and attraction. The imagery grounds spiritual affection in the reality of the body, inviting readers to appreciate the tangible details of creation. This focus on specific, beautiful strands reflects the text’s broader theme of admiration and delight between partners.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- locks/ my1×
- locks/ his1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- קְוּצּוֹתָי/ו֙1×
- קְוֻּצּוֹתַ֖/י1×