תִּרְצָה (tir.tsah)
tir.tsah
Tirzah
N:N-F-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 17 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-F-P
Word Overview
The name Tirzah means "favourable" or "pleasure." It appears in Scripture in two distinct contexts. First, it identifies one of the five daughters of Zelophehad from the tribe of Manasseh, who are notable for successfully petitioning Moses for an inheritance when their father died without sons (Numbers 27:1-7). Their story highlights a legal precedent for women’s rights within the tribal structure.
Second, Tirzah is the name of a Canaanite city that became the first capital of the northern kingdom of Israel after the split from Judah. The sources note it was conquered by Joshua and later served as a royal seat before Omri moved the capital to Samaria (1 Kings 14:17). The word itself carries no inherent theological weight beyond its literal meaning, serving primarily as a proper noun for these specific people and places.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Tirzah carries a gentle meaning, often translated as "favourable" or "pleasure." In Scripture, this word appears in two very different settings that offer distinct insights into God's care. First, we meet Tirzah as one of the five daughters of Zelophehad. When their father died without sons, these women approached Moses with a request for inheritance rights. Their story shows that God’s justice extends to every member of His people, ensuring that no family is left without provision or voice in the community.
Second, Tirzah serves as the name of a city that briefly held political power in the northern kingdom of Israel. While it was once a seat of royal authority, its history also reflects the instability and eventual decline of those who turned away from God’s ways. Yet even here, the name reminds us that human kingdoms rise and fall, but God’s promises remain steadfast.
For your faith life, Tirzah invites you to trust in God’s fairness. Whether you are seeking justice or stability, remember that He sees your situation and provides what is right. Let this name encourage you to bring your requests to Him with confidence, knowing that His favour is not based on status but on His faithful character.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 17 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- in/ Tirzah8×
- and/ Tirzah3×
- Tirzah3×
- from/ Tirzah2×
- like/ Tirzah1×
- Tirzah/ towards1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/תִרְצָֽה\׃3×
- בְּ/תִרְצָֽה\׃2×
- בְּ/תִרְצָ֖ה2×
- בְּ/תִרְצָ֑ה2×
- תִּרְצָֽה\׃1×
- תִּרְצָ֖ה1×
- תִרְצָ֗ה1×
- תִרְצָ֑תָ/ה1×
- מִ/תִּרְצָ֗ה1×
- מִ/תִּרְצָ֔ה1×
- כְּ/תִרְצָ֔ה1×
- בְּ/תִרְצָ֔ה1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 27:1
Then the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph came near. These are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
This verse introduces Tirzah as one of the daughters who courageously stepped forward to claim their inheritance, highlighting the word's connection to boldness and legal precedent.
-
Song of Solomon 6:4
You are beautiful, my love, as Tirzah, lovely as Jerusalem, awesome as an army with banners.
Here the name is used metaphorically to describe beauty, comparing the beloved to Tirzah to evoke a sense of pleasantness and delight.
-
I Kings 14:17
Jeroboam’s wife arose and departed, and came to Tirzah. As she came to the threshold of the house, the child died.
This occurrence marks the end of Jeroboam’s line in Tirzah, showing how the city became a place of judgment rather than lasting royal glory.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Tirzah mean?
Who was Tirzah in the Old Testament?
Why is Tirzah mentioned in Song of Solomon?
Every Occurrence (17 verses across 5 books)
Numbers 3 verses
Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters: and the names of the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah,…
Numbers 27:1Then the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the…
Numbers 36:11for Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, were married to their father’s brothers’…