a collateral form of חָצֵר; a court or abode; court.
Transliteration:châtsîyr
Pronunciation:khaw-tseer'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term H2681 (חָצִיר, *châtsîyr*) is identified as a collateral form of H2691 (חָצֵר, *châtsêr*). While the provided base definition for H2681 states "a court or abode; court," a comprehensive analysis of its biblical occurrences reveals a distinct and consistent semantic range. In nearly all instances, H2681 refers to "grass," "herb," or "hay," often specifying green vegetation.
This divergence between the given Strong's base definition and actual usage is noteworthy. The primary meaning of H2691 (חָצֵר) encompasses both "enclosure, court, village" and "grass, green herb." It appears that H2681 (חָצִיר), as a collateral form, specialized almost exclusively in the "grass" or "herb" aspect of the broader H2691 semantic field. This specialization is crucial for understanding its theological import. It can denote generic grass, fodder for animals, or even specific edible plants like leeks.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term H2681 appears multiple times in the Hebrew Bible, consistently carrying the meaning of "grass" or "herb," often with implications for human transience or divine provision.
* **Provision and Sustenance:** In [[Numbers 11:5]], the Israelites in the wilderness lament their lack of the foods they enjoyed in Egypt, specifically mentioning "the leeks" (הַחָצִיר). Here, H2681 refers to a cultivated green plant, essential for sustenance. Similarly, [[1 Kings 18:5]] describes King Ahab and Obadiah searching for "grass" (חָצִיר) to feed their horses and mules during a severe drought, highlighting its role as vital fodder.
* **Symbol of Transience and Frailty:** This is perhaps the most profound and frequent use of H2681.
* [[Job 8:12]] states, "While it is yet in its greenness and not cut down, it withers before any other herb (חָצִיר)." This illustrates the fragility and fleeting nature of life.
* [[Psalm 37:2]] warns that the wicked "will soon fade like the grass (חָצִיר) and wither like the green herb."
* The most vivid portrayal is in [[Isaiah 40:6-8]]: "All flesh is grass (חָצִיר), and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. The grass (חָצִיר) withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the LORD blows on it; surely the people are grass (חָצִיר). The grass (חָצִיר) withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever." This passage powerfully contrasts the ephemeral nature of humanity with the eternal, unchanging Word of God.
* Similar imagery is found in [[Psalm 90:5-6]] ("In the morning it flourishes and is green; in the evening it fades and withers") though H2681 is not used there, the concept is parallel.
* **Desolation and Blessing:**
* In prophetic warnings of judgment, the absence or withering of H2681 signifies desolation, as seen in [[Isaiah 15:6]] and [[Isaiah 34:13]] where thorns and nettles replace lush vegetation.
* Conversely, the flourishing of H2681 can symbolize divine blessing and restoration, as in [[Isaiah 35:7]]: "In the habitation of jackals, where they lay, grass (חָצִיר) with reeds and rushes will grow."
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is H2691 (חָצֵר, *châtsêr*), from which H2681 (חָצִיר) is derived. H2691 possesses a broader semantic range, encompassing "enclosure, court, village" (e.g., [[Exodus 27:9]], [[Joshua 15:21]]) as well as "grass, green herb" (e.g., [[Proverbs 27:25]], [[Amos 7:1]]). H2681 specifically emphasizes the latter meaning, consistently referring to vegetation.
Other Hebrew terms related to plant life include:
* H6212 (עֵשֶׂב, *'esev*): A general term for "herb" or "grass," often referring to vegetation for food ([[Genesis 1:11]]).
* H3418 (יֶרֶק, *yereq*): Denotes "green herb" or "green thing," emphasizing color and freshness ([[Genesis 1:30]]).
* H7058 (קַשׁ, *qash*): Refers to "stubble" or "chaff," often dry and easily consumed by fire, contrasting with living grass ([[Exodus 5:12]]).
Conceptually, H2681 is intertwined with:
* **Transience (*hevel*):** The fleeting nature of human life and worldly glory, often compared to smoke or a breath.
* **Divine Sovereignty:** God's ultimate control over life and death, creation and destruction.
* **Divine Providence:** God's care for His creation, providing sustenance for both humans and animals.
* **Judgment and Restoration:** The state of vegetation as a metaphor for spiritual and physical conditions of a people or land.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H2681 (חָצִיר) primarily revolves around its use as a powerful metaphor for the brevity and fragility of human life, contrasting sharply with the eternal nature of God and His Word. This imagery serves as a profound theological statement:
1. **Human Frailty and Mortality:** The comparison of humanity to "grass" in passages like [[Isaiah 40:6-8]] and [[Psalm 37:2]] underscores the ephemeral nature of all flesh. Just as grass sprouts, flourishes for a season, and then withers and dies, so too is human life transient and subject to decay. This perspective fosters humility and discourages reliance on human strength or worldly achievements.
2. **The Enduring Word of God:** The contrast in [[Isaiah 40:8]]—"The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever"—elevates the divine Word above all earthly existence. It is immutable, eternal, and reliable, providing a steadfast foundation in a world of constant change and decay. This highlights the absolute trustworthiness and power of God's revelation.
3. **Divine Provision and Sustenance:** In contexts where H2681 refers to edible herbs or fodder, it points to God's faithful provision for His creation. The leeks in [[Numbers 11:5]] represent a tangible blessing of food, while the search for grass in [[1 Kings 18:5]] illustrates the necessity of God's provision for the sustenance of life.
4. **Symbol of Desolation and Blessing:** The state of the grass in a land often reflects God's judgment or blessing. Withered grass signifies desolation and divine displeasure (e.g., [[Isaiah 15:6]]), while flourishing grass indicates restoration, fertility, and divine favor (e.g., [[Isaiah 35:7]]).
### Summary
The Hebrew word H2681 (חָצִיר, *châtsîyr*) is primarily used in the biblical text to denote "grass," "herb," or "hay," occasionally referring to specific green plants like "leeks." While etymologically linked to H2691 (חָצֵר) which can mean "court" or "enclosure," the actual usage of H2681 almost exclusively focuses on vegetation. Its most prominent theological function is to serve as a vivid metaphor for the transience and fragility of human life, sharply contrasted with the enduring and eternal nature of God's Word. Beyond this powerful imagery of mortality, H2681 also points to God's faithful provision for His creation and functions as a symbol of both divine judgment (withering) and blessing (flourishing) in prophetic contexts.
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