Hebrew verb · H6887
צָרַר
tsarartsaw-rar'
to confine; to constrain; to distress; to vex; to rival
54 uses in the Hebrew text, one for each word STEP Bible has tagged with this key
Concordance spelling: tsârar
Word page · Part of the concordance, one page for every word of the Hebrew and Greek text. Strong's H6887is this word's number in James Strong's 1890 index of the King James Bible.
- 18 of 39Old Testament books
- 47spellings
- 5meanings
The definition in full
Strong's key (1890) · H6887
to cramp, literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive
The King James renders it: adversary, (be in) afflict(-ion), beseige, bind (up), (be in, bring) distress, enemy, narrower, oppress, pangs, shut up, be in a strait (trouble), vex.
James Strong, The Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890), public domain. Strong indexed the King James text, and this site quotes his entry as that index.
Summary
tsarar is rendered "to confine; to constrain; to distress; to vex; to rival". It stands 54 times in the Hebrew text, across eighteen books.
- Eighteen of the uses stand in Psalms, more than in any other book.
- The lexicon lists five meanings for it, beginning with "to confine".
- Its first use in canonical order opens the ledger below.Exodus 12:34So the people took their dough before it was leavened, carrying it on their shoulders in kneading bowls wrapped in clothing.
- The Greek text spells it forty-seven different ways.
The first use
So the people took their dough before it was leavened, carrying it on their shoulders in kneading bowls wrapped in clothing.
Exodus 12:34צְרֻרֹ֥ת
The first use, in the order of the Old Testament's books.
Where the word stands
Eighteen of the word's fifty-four uses are in Psalms.
What the word means
The word carries five meanings: to confine, and to constrain, and to distress, and to vex, and to rival.
Each meaning, and the words it is translated by
| Meaning | Tagged as | Where |
|---|---|---|
| to confineStrong's entry A | Tagged aslisted under the table | WhereExodus 12:34So the people took their dough before it was leavened… |
| to constrainStrong's entry B | Tagged aslisted under the table | Wherein the ledger below |
| to distressStrong's entry C | Tagged aslisted under the table | Wherein the ledger below |
| to vexStrong's entry D | Tagged aslisted under the table | Wherein the ledger below |
| to rivalStrong's entry E | Tagged aslisted under the table | Wherein the ledger below |
How the Greek text is glossed, word by word
- it is distress6
- opposers my6
- opposers your4
- bound up3
- opposer of3
- and I will cause distress2
- and it will lay siege2
- in labor2
- people have opposed me2
- and he harassed1
- and just as harassed1
- and opposing of1
and 21 more, 54 uses in all
The words built on the same word-part
Each word below begins with the same letters this one begins with. A shared word-part shows a family. It does not settle what any one of them means, so each word carries its own uses on its own page. Scholars call that shared part the stem.
All 54, in canonical order
Every use, in order
Every use, grouped by book, with its verse.
47 spellings and their grammar
STEP Bible tags every word of the Hebrew and Greek text with its spelling and its grammar. Both lists below count the rows printed underneath, written out in English, with the code beside each one as it was tagged.
How it is spelled
- צַר־4
- צוֹרְרָ֑י2
- צוֹרְרָֽי׃2
- צֹרֵ֥ר2
- צְרָר֣וּנִי2
- הָצֵ֣ר1
- הַצֹּרֵ֣ר1
- וְהֵצַ֨ר1
- וְהֵצַ֤ר1
- וַהֲצֵר֥וֹתִי1
- וַהֲצֵרֹ֣תִי1
- וַיָּ֥צַר1
and 35 more spellings in the ledger below.
The grammar of each form
- verb · simple (qal), qatal (perfect) · 3rd person masculine singular8HVqp3ms
- verb · simple (qal), participle · masculine plural · in construct (“…of”) + pronoun suffix · 1st person masculine or feminine singular6HVqrmpc/Sp1bs
- verb · simple (qal), participle · masculine plural · in construct (“…of”) + pronoun suffix · 2nd person masculine singular4HVqrmpc/Sp2ms
- verb · simple (qal), participle · masculine singular · in construct (“…of”)3HVqrmsc
- Hc/Vhq1cs2Hc/Vhq1cs
- Hc/Vhq3ms2Hc/Vhq3ms
- preposition + verb · simple (qal), infinitive (“to…”)2HR/Vqcc
- verb · causative (hiphil), participle · feminine singular2HVhrfsa
- verb · simple (qal), qatal (perfect) · 3rd person common plural + pronoun suffix · 1st person masculine or feminine singular2HVqp3cp/Sp1bs
- verb · simple (qal), participle · masculine plural · in construct (“…of”)2HVqrmpc
- verb · simple (qal), participle · masculine singular2HVqrmsa
- verb · simple (qal), passive participle · feminine plural2HVqsfpa
Exodus
two uses
So the people took their dough before it was leavened, carrying it on their shoulders in kneading bowls wrapped in clothing.
- צְרֻרֹ֥תtzerurotverb · simple (qal), passive participle · feminine pluraltagged: bound up
But if you will listen carefully to his voice and do everything I say, I will be an enemy to your enemies and a foe to your foes.
- צֹרְרֶֽיךָ׃tzorereikhaverb · simple (qal), participle · masculine plural · in construct (“…of”) + pronoun suffix · 2nd person masculine singulartagged: opposers your
Leviticus
one use
You must not take your wife’s sister as a rival wife and have sexual relations with her while your wife is still alive.
- לִצְרֹ֗רlitzrorpreposition + verb · simple (qal), infinitive (“to…”)tagged: to make a rival wife
Numbers
four uses
When you enter into battle in your land against an adversary who attacks you, sound short blasts on the trumpets, and you will be remembered before the LORD your God and saved from your enemies.
- הַצֹּרֵ֣רhatzorerthe definite article (“the”) + verb · simple (qal), participle · masculine singulartagged: who opposes
“Attack the Midianites and strike them dead.
- צָר֖וֹרtzarorverb · simple (qal), infinitive absolutetagged: to oppose
For they assailed you deceitfully when they seduced you in the matter of Peor and their sister Cozbi, the daughter of the Midianite leader, the woman who was killed on the day the plague came because of Peor.”
- צֹרְרִ֥יםtzorerimverb · simple (qal), participle · masculine pluraltagged: opposers
But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land before you, those you allow to remain will become barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides; they will harass you in the land where you settle.
- וְצָרֲר֣וּvetzararuHc/Vqq3cptagged: and they will oppose
Deuteronomy
two uses
They will besiege all the cities throughout your land, until the high and fortified walls in which you trust have fallen. They will besiege all your cities throughout the land that the LORD your God has given you.
- וְהֵצַ֨רvehetzarHc/Vhq3mstagged: and it will lay siege
- וְהֵצַ֤רvehetzarHc/Vhq3mstagged: and it will lay siege
Joshua
one use
acted deceptively and set out as envoys, carrying on their donkeys worn-out sacks and old wineskins, cracked and mended.
- וּמְצֹרָרִֽים׃umetzorarimconjunction (“and”) + verb · intensive passive (pual), passive participle · masculine pluraltagged: and tied up
1 Samuel
two uses
And should someone pursue you and seek your life, then the life of my lord will be bound securely by the LORD your God in the bundle of the living. But He shall fling away the lives of your enemies like stones from a sling.
- צְרוּרָ֣ה׀tzerurahverb · simple (qal), passive participle · feminine singulartagged: bound up
Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” “I am deeply distressed,” replied Saul. “The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has turned away from me. He no longer answers me, either by prophets or by dreams. So I have called on you to tell me what to do.”
- צַר־tzar-verb · simple (qal), qatal (perfect) · 3rd person masculine singulartagged: it is distress
2 Samuel
two uses
I grieve for you, Jonathan, my brother. You were delightful to me; your love to me was extraordinary, surpassing the love of women.
- צַר־tzar-verb · simple (qal), qatal (perfect) · 3rd person masculine singulartagged: it is distress
When David returned to his palace in Jerusalem, he took the ten concubines he had left to care for the palace, and he placed them in a house under guard. He provided for them, but he no longer slept with them. They were confined until the day of their death, living as widows.
- צְרֻר֛וֹתtzerurotverb · simple (qal), passive participle · feminine pluraltagged: locked up
1 Kings
one use
When famine or plague comes upon the land, or blight or mildew or locusts or grasshoppers, or when their enemy besieges them in their cities, whatever plague or sickness may come,
- יָֽצַר־yatzar-verb · causative (hiphil), yiqtol (imperfect) · 3rd person masculine singulartagged: he will lay siege
2 Chronicles
three uses
Then Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria came to Ahaz but afflicted him rather than strengthening him.
- וַיָּ֥צַרvaiyatzarHc/Vhw3mstagged: and he harassed
In the time of his distress, King Ahaz became even more unfaithful to the LORD.
- הָצֵ֣רhatzerverb · causative (hiphil), infinitive (“to…”)tagged: harassed
And in his distress, Manasseh sought the favor of the LORD his God and earnestly humbled himself before the God of his fathers.
- וּכְהָצֵ֣רukhehatzerconjunction (“and”) + preposition + verb · causative (hiphil), infinitive (“to…”)tagged: and just as harassed
Esther
four uses
So the king removed the signet ring from his finger and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews.
- צֹרֵ֥רtzorerverb · simple (qal), participle · masculine singular · in construct (“…of”)tagged: opposer of
That same day King Xerxes awarded Queen Esther the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai entered the king’s presence because Esther had revealed his relation to her.
- צֹרֵ֣רtzorerverb · simple (qal), participle · masculine singulartagged: opposer
They killed these ten sons of Haman son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, but they did not lay a hand on the plunder.
- צֹרֵ֥רtzorerverb · simple (qal), participle · masculine singular · in construct (“…of”)tagged: opposer of
For Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them and had cast the Pur (that is, the lot) to crush and destroy them.
- צֹרֵר֙tzorerverb · simple (qal), participle · masculine singular · in construct (“…of”)tagged: opposer of
Job
one use
He wraps up the waters in His clouds, yet the clouds do not burst under their own weight.
- צֹרֵֽר־tzorer-verb · simple (qal), participle · masculine singulartagged: binds up
Psalms
eighteen uses
My eyes fail from grief; they grow dim because of all my foes.
- צוֹרְרָֽי׃tzoraiverb · simple (qal), participle · masculine plural · in construct (“…of”) + pronoun suffix · 1st person masculine or feminine singulartagged: opposers my
if I have rewarded my ally with evil, if I have plundered my foe without cause,
- צוֹרְרִ֣יtzoriverb · simple (qal), participle · masculine singular · in construct (“…of”) + pronoun suffix · 1st person masculine or feminine singulartagged: opposer my
Arise, O LORD, in Your anger; rise up against the fury of my enemies. Awake, my God, and ordain judgment.
- צוֹרְרָ֑יtzoraiverb · simple (qal), participle · masculine plural · in construct (“…of”) + pronoun suffix · 1st person masculine or feminine singulartagged: opposers my
From the mouths of children and infants You have ordained praise on account of Your adversaries, to silence the enemy and avenger.
- צוֹרְרֶ֑יךָtzoreikhaverb · simple (qal), participle · masculine plural · in construct (“…of”) + pronoun suffix · 2nd person masculine singulartagged: opposers your
He is secure in his ways at all times; Your lofty judgments are far from him; he sneers at all his foes.
- צ֝וֹרְרָ֗יוtzoravverb · simple (qal), participle · masculine plural · in construct (“…of”) + pronoun suffix · 3rd person masculine singulartagged: opposers his
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
- צֹרְרָ֑יtzoreraiverb · simple (qal), participle · masculine plural · in construct (“…of”) + pronoun suffix · 1st person masculine or feminine singulartagged: opposers my
Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes fail from sorrow, my soul and body as well.
- צַ֫ר־tzar-verb · simple (qal), qatal (perfect) · 3rd person masculine singulartagged: it is distress
Among all my enemies I am a disgrace, and among my neighbors even more. I am dreaded by my friends— they flee when they see me on the street.
- צֹרְרַ֨יtzoreraiverb · simple (qal), participle · masculine plural · in construct (“…of”) + pronoun suffix · 1st person masculine or feminine singulartagged: opposers my
Like the crushing of my bones, my enemies taunt me, while they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”
- צוֹרְרָ֑יtzoraiverb · simple (qal), participle · masculine plural · in construct (“…of”) + pronoun suffix · 1st person masculine or feminine singulartagged: opposers my
But I will sing of Your strength and proclaim Your loving devotion in the morning. For You are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
- צַר־tzar-verb · simple (qal), qatal (perfect) · 3rd person masculine singulartagged: it is distress
Hide not Your face from Your servant, for I am in distress. Answer me quickly!
- צַר־tzar-verb · simple (qal), qatal (perfect) · 3rd person masculine singulartagged: it is distress
You know my reproach, my shame and disgrace. All my adversaries are before You.
- צוֹרְרָֽי׃tzoraiverb · simple (qal), participle · masculine plural · in construct (“…of”) + pronoun suffix · 1st person masculine or feminine singulartagged: opposers my
Your foes have roared within Your meeting place; they have unfurled their banners as signs,
- צֹ֭רְרֶיךָtzorereikhaverb · simple (qal), participle · masculine plural · in construct (“…of”) + pronoun suffix · 2nd person masculine singulartagged: opposers your
Do not disregard the clamor of Your adversaries, the uproar of Your enemies that ascends continually.
- צֹרְרֶ֑יךָtzorereikhaverb · simple (qal), participle · masculine plural · in construct (“…of”) + pronoun suffix · 2nd person masculine singulartagged: opposers your
Do not hide Your face from me in my day of distress. Incline Your ear to me; answer me quickly when I call.
- צַ֫רtzarverb · simple (qal), qatal (perfect) · 3rd person masculine singulartagged: it is distress
Many a time they have persecuted me from my youth— let Israel now declare—
- צְרָר֣וּנִיtzeraruniverb · simple (qal), qatal (perfect) · 3rd person common plural + pronoun suffix · 1st person masculine or feminine singulartagged: people have opposed me
many a time they have persecuted me from my youth, but they have not prevailed against me.
- צְרָר֣וּנִיtzeraruniverb · simple (qal), qatal (perfect) · 3rd person common plural + pronoun suffix · 1st person masculine or feminine singulartagged: people have opposed me
And in Your loving devotion, cut off my enemies. Destroy all who afflict me, for I am Your servant.
- צֹרֲרֵ֣יtzorareiverb · simple (qal), participle · masculine plural · in construct (“…of”)tagged: opposers of
Proverbs
two uses
Like binding a stone into a sling is the giving of honor to a fool.
- כִּצְר֣וֹרkitzrorpreposition + verb · simple (qal), infinitive (“to…”)tagged: as ties
Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in His hands? Who has bound up the waters in His cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is the name of His Son—surely you know!
- צָֽרַר־tzarar-verb · simple (qal), qatal (perfect) · 3rd person masculine singulartagged: has he wrapped
Isaiah
four uses
Bind up the testimony and seal the law among my disciples.
- צ֖וֹרtzorverb · simple (qal), command · 2nd person masculine singulartagged: bind up
Then the jealousy of Ephraim will depart, and the adversaries of Judah will be cut off. Ephraim will no longer envy Judah, nor will Judah harass Ephraim.
- וְצֹרְרֵ֥יvetzorereiconjunction (“and”) + verb · simple (qal), participle · masculine plural · in construct (“…of”)tagged: and opposing of
- יָצֹ֥רyatzorverb · simple (qal), yiqtol (imperfect) · 3rd person masculine singulartagged: it will be opposed to
Indeed, the bed is too short to stretch out on, and the blanket too small to wrap around you.
- צָ֖רָהtzarahverb · simple (qal), qatal (perfect) · 3rd person feminine singulartagged: it is narrow
Jeremiah
three uses
For this is what the LORD says: “Behold, at this time I will sling out the inhabitants of the land and bring distress upon them so that they may be captured.”
- וַהֲצֵר֥וֹתִיvahatzerotiHc/Vhq1cstagged: and I will cause distress
Kirioth has been taken, and the strongholds seized. In that day the heart of Moab’s warriors will be like the heart of a woman in labor.
- מְצֵרָֽה׃metzerahverb · causative (hiphil), participle · feminine singulartagged: in labor
Look! An eagle will soar and swoop down, spreading its wings over Bozrah. In that day the hearts of Edom’s mighty men will be like the heart of a woman in labor.
- מְצֵרָֽה׃ סmetzerahverb · causative (hiphil), participle · feminine singulartagged: in labor
Hosea
two uses
The whirlwind has wrapped them in its wings, and their sacrifices will bring them shame.
- צָרַ֥רtzararverb · simple (qal), qatal (perfect) · 3rd person masculine singulartagged: it has wrapped
The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is stored up.
- צָרוּר֙tzarurverb · simple (qal), passive participle · masculine singulartagged: bound up
Amos
one use
For I know that your transgressions are many and your sins are numerous. You oppress the righteous by taking bribes; you deprive the poor of justice in the gate.
- צֹרְרֵ֤יtzorereiverb · simple (qal), participle · masculine plural · in construct (“…of”)tagged: O opposers of
Zephaniah
one use
I will bring such distress on mankind that they will walk like the blind, because they have sinned against the LORD. Their blood will be poured out like dust and their flesh like dung.
- וַהֲצֵרֹ֣תִיvahatzerotiHc/Vhq1cstagged: and I will cause distress
Where it leads
How the numbers are counted
Every count on this page comes from STEP Bible's tagged Hebrew and Greek text, the same text the ledger prints. A use is counted once each time the tagging marks a word with this key.
Spellings are counted as the Greek text spells them, with the sentence's own punctuation taken off the word first, so a form that ends a clause is not counted as a second spelling.
The words it stands beside are the nouns, verbs and adjectives immediately before or after it, counted in every verse where the word stands. The article, the conjunctions and the prepositions are left out, because they stand beside every word.
The family is read from the lexicon by the stem the two words share, with the accents off, and a person or a place named on the stem is left out.
