English · KJV
H6632

צָב

tsâb /tsawb/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom an unused root meaning to establish
Meaninga palanquin or canopy (as a fixture); also a species of lizard (probably as clinging fast)
KJV usagecovered, litter, tortoise.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of tsâb — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word tsâb, represented by H6632, is a versatile term with several distinct meanings. Derived from an unused root meaning to establish, it can refer to a tortoise, a litter, or a canopy. Though it appears only 3 times in 3 unique verses, its contexts are significant, touching upon ceremonial law, sacred offerings, and prophetic restoration.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The uses of H6632 vary widely across its appearances. In Leviticus, it is listed among the creeping things that are unclean H2931 to Israel, where it is translated as tortoise Leviticus 11:29. In Numbers, it is used as an adjective, describing the six covered H6632 wagons H5699 that the princes of Israel brought as an offering before the tabernacle Numbers 7:3. Finally, in Isaiah, it refers to litters H6632, a mode of transport for bringing the brethren of Israel from all nations as an offering to the LORD's holy mountain Isaiah 66:20.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the contexts in which H6632 is found:

  • H5699 ʻăgâlâh (wagon): This word for a wheeled vehicle is directly associated with H6632 in Numbers 7:3, where the wagons are described as "covered". It denotes something revolving or a wheeled vehicle.
  • H2931 ṭâmêʼ (unclean): This term, meaning foul in a religious sense, is used to classify the tortoise H6632 in the dietary laws given to Israel Leviticus 11:29, establishing a clear distinction between what is clean and what is defiled.
  • H4503 minchâh (offering): This word for a sacrificial donation or gift appears in Isaiah 66:20, where people are brought in litters H6632 as an offering H4503 to the LORD, similar to the clean offerings brought by the children of Israel.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of H6632 is derived from its three distinct contexts:

  • Ceremonial Purity: The classification of the tortoise H6632 as unclean H2931 is a key part of the Levitical law, which teaches separation and holiness by defining what is acceptable for God's people Leviticus 11:29.
  • Sacred Offerings: In Numbers, the covered H6632 wagons are part of a holy offering H7133 brought by the princes H5387 for the service of the tabernacle, illustrating a principle of giving generously for the work of the LORD Numbers 7:3.
  • Prophetic Restoration: Isaiah's prophecy uses litters H6632 to paint a picture of God's future ingathering of His people from all nations H1471. They are brought to Jerusalem H3389 as a treasured offering H4503, highlighting God's intention to restore His people Isaiah 66:20.

Summary

In summary, H6632 demonstrates how a single, infrequently used Hebrew word can carry a range of meanings. Whether identifying an unclean animal, describing a covering for sacred transport, or signifying a vehicle for a restored people, tsâb consistently appears in passages central to understanding God's standards for holiness, the nature of worship, and His ultimate redemptive plans for Israel.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 3 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • צָּב
  • צַּבִּים

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H2931 טָמֵא from טָמֵא; foul in a religious sense; defiled, [phrase] infamous, polluted(-tion), unclean. H5699 עֲגָלָה from the same as עָגֹל; something revolving, i.e. a wheeled vehicle; cart, chariot, wagon H4503 מִנְחָה from an unused root meaning to apportion, i.e. bestow; a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial H7133 קׇרְבָּן or קֻרְבָּן; from קָרַב; something brought near the altar, i.e. a sacrificial present; oblation, that is offered, offeri H5387 נָשִׂיא or נָשִׂא; from נָשָׂא; properly, an exalted one, i.e. a king or sheik; also a rising mist; captain, chief, cloud, gover H1471 גּוֹי rarely (shortened) גֹּי; apparently from the same root as גֵּוָה (in the sense of massing); a foreign nation; hence, a G

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 3 verses across 3 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Leviticus, Numbers, and Isaiah (1 verse each); never once in the other 36.

1
Leviticus
1
Numbers
1
Isaiah

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.