passive participle of יַצַע; spread, i.e. a bed; (architecture) an extension, i.e. wing or lean-to (a single story or collectively); bed, chamber, couch.
Transliteration:yâtsûwaʻ
Pronunciation:yaw-tsoo'-ah
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word H3326 (yâtsûwaʻ) is a passive participle derived from the root יַצַע (yatsaʻ, `{{H3331}}`), which means "to spread out," "to lay," or "to extend." As a passive participle, yâtsûwaʻ fundamentally signifies "that which is spread out" or "that which is laid." This core meaning gives rise to its two primary semantic domains:
1. **Furniture for Rest/Reclining:** Most commonly, yâtsûwaʻ refers to a "bed," "couch," or "divan." This denotes an item of furniture that is spread out or laid down for the purpose of rest, sleep, or reclining. The emphasis is on the flat, extended surface designed for the human body.
2. **Architectural Extension:** In an architectural context, yâtsûwaʻ describes an "extension," "wing," "side-chamber," or "lean-to." This refers to a part of a building that is built out or extended from the main structure, often forming a story or a collective of rooms adjacent to the primary edifice. The underlying concept remains "that which is extended" or "spread out" from a central point.
Both applications share the common thread of something being "laid out" or "extended," whether horizontally for rest or laterally as part of a structure.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term H3326 appears a limited number of times in the Hebrew Bible, but its occurrences are significant and illustrate its dual semantic range:
* **1 Kings 6:5-6, 10:** In these passages, yâtsûwaʻ is used in its architectural sense to describe the "side chambers" or "stories" of the Temple built by Solomon. [[1 Kings 6:5]] states, "He built chambers (yâtsûwaʻ) all around the walls of the house, around the nave and the inner sanctuary; and he made side chambers all around." These were integral structural components, forming stories that surrounded the main sanctuary. [[1 Kings 6:6]] details their varying widths, indicating their functional role in supporting the structure without penetrating the sacred walls. [[1 Kings 6:10]] reiterates their construction. Here, yâtsûwaʻ refers to functional, supporting extensions of the holy edifice, designed with precision and reverence.
* **Psalm 63:6 (MT 63:7):** Here, yâtsûwaʻ takes on its meaning of a "bed" or "couch" in a deeply personal and devotional context. [[Psalm 63:6]] reads, "When I remember You on my bed (yâtsûwaʻ), I meditate on You in the night watches." The bed becomes a private space for intimate communion with God, a place of reflection and spiritual solace during the quiet hours of the night. This usage highlights the personal relationship between the psalmist and the Divine.
* **Ezekiel 23:41:** In this prophetic oracle against Oholah and Oholibah (representing Samaria and Jerusalem), yâtsûwaʻ again refers to a "couch" or "divan," but in a context of idolatry and spiritual prostitution. [[Ezekiel 23:41]] describes the illicit lovers of the unfaithful sisters as those who "sat on a magnificent couch (yâtsûwaʻ), with a table prepared before it, and on it you had placed My incense and My oil." The "magnificent couch" here symbolizes luxury, indulgence, and the spiritual adultery of Israel in pursuing foreign alliances and gods. It stands in stark contrast to the reverent meditation on a bed in Psalm 63.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding H3326 is enhanced by examining its relationship to its root and other semantically similar terms:
* **Root יַצַע (yatsaʻ, `{{H3331}}`):** As the verbal root, yatsaʻ meaning "to spread out," "to lay," or "to extend," is foundational. It emphasizes the action from which yâtsûwaʻ (that which is spread out) derives its meaning.
* **Words for "Bed/Couch":**
* מִטָּה (mittah, `{{H4296}}`): A very common and general term for a bed or couch, often used for sleeping or resting.
* עֶרֶשׂ (eres, `{{H6210}}`): A couch or bed, sometimes with connotations of procreation or a place of sickness.
* מִשְׁכָּב (mishkav, `{{H4904}}`): A place for lying down, a bed, often carrying sexual or intimate connotations.
* **Words for "Chamber/Room/Extension":**
* לִשְׁכָּה (lishkah, `{{H3957}}`): A general term for a chamber or room, frequently used for rooms within the Temple complex.
* צֵלָע (tselaʻ, `{{H6763}}`): Literally "rib" or "side," but also used for a side-chamber or side-structure, particularly in the context of the Temple.
H3326 distinguishes itself by its direct connection to the act of "spreading out," which lends it a unique nuance, whether describing the flat surface of a bed or the lateral extension of a building.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H3326 lies in its diverse applications, illustrating how a single word can encompass concepts ranging from the sacred to the profane, and from communal worship to individual devotion.
1. **Divine Order and Sacred Space:** In the context of the Temple (1 Kings), the "side chambers" (yâtsûwaʻ) speak to the meticulous design and ordered nature of God's dwelling place. These were not merely utilitarian spaces but integral parts of a divinely inspired architectural plan, supporting the sanctity of the main sanctuary. They reflect the principle that even the supporting elements of worship are to be carefully constructed and consecrated.
2. **Intimate Devotion:** The usage in Psalm 63:6 transforms the mundane "bed" into a hallowed space for personal communion with God. It underscores the biblical truth that true worship is not confined to public rituals but extends to the most private moments of reflection and meditation. The yâtsûwaʻ becomes a symbol of vulnerability, trust, and the profound intimacy available to the believer in solitude.
3. **Moral Warning and Spiritual Adultery:** Ezekiel 23:41 presents a stark counterpoint. The "magnificent couch" (yâtsûwaʻ) here is a symbol of idolatrous luxury and spiritual infidelity. It highlights the dangers of seeking comfort and pleasure outside of God's covenant, leading to spiritual prostitution. This usage serves as a powerful reminder that even objects of comfort can become instruments of sin when misused in pursuit of ungodly desires.
4. **Pervasiveness of God's Presence:** The word's dual application (Temple architecture and personal furniture) subtly suggests that God's presence and claims extend to all aspects of life – from the grand structures of corporate worship to the most private spaces of individual existence. How one uses their "yâtsûwaʻ" (whether a sacred chamber or a personal bed) can reflect their faithfulness or apostasy.
### Summary
The Hebrew word H3326 (yâtsûwaʻ) is a passive participle meaning "that which is spread out" or "laid." This core definition gives rise to two distinct but related semantic domains: a "bed" or "couch" for reclining, and an "architectural extension" or "side-chamber" of a building. Its biblical occurrences vividly illustrate this duality. In 1 Kings, yâtsûwaʻ refers to the meticulously designed side chambers of the Temple, symbolizing divine order and sacred space. In Psalm 63, it represents the intimate "bed" of personal devotion, a place for private communion with God. Conversely, Ezekiel 23 employs yâtsûwaʻ as a "magnificent couch" to symbolize idolatrous luxury and spiritual adultery, serving as a powerful moral warning. Thus, yâtsûwaʻ is a versatile term that, despite its limited occurrences, profoundly illuminates facets of Israel's relationship with God, encompassing architectural sanctity, personal piety, and the perils of unfaithfulness.
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