The Hebrew word tsâhar, represented by H6671, is a primitive root used to mean press out oil or make oil. Based on a root meaning "to glisten," its single appearance in the Bible occurs in 1 unique verse. Its usage is highly specific, describing the act of oil production.
In its sole biblical appearance, H6671 is found in a passage describing the plight of the oppressed. The verse depicts laborers who make oil within confining walls, a task associated with producing a valuable commodity. However, this act of production is ironically set against their own suffering, as they simultaneously "tread their winepresses, and suffer thirst" Job 24:11. The word is used to build a powerful image of unrewarded toil and social injustice.
The context of H6671 is enriched by several related words that appear alongside it in Job 24:11:
- H1869 dârak (to tread; by implication, to walk): This word describes the physical action of crushing grapes, an activity performed in parallel with making oil. It highlights the manual labor involved in production Job 24:11.
- H3342 yeqeb (a wine-vat... a wine-press): This term for the winepresses where grapes are trodden is a direct counterpart to the oil-making process. Its presence emphasizes the theme of agricultural production, which in other contexts is associated with blessing and abundance Proverbs 3:10.
- H6770 tsâmêʼ (to thirst): This word provides the sharp, ironic contrast in the verse. While the workers produce valuable liquids like oil and wine, they themselves are thirsty, signifying extreme deprivation and suffering Job 24:11.
Despite its single use, the theological weight of H6671 is found in the scene it helps create.
- The Injustice of Toil: The primary theme is the paradox of labor without reward. The act of making oil, a symbol of richness, light, and anointing, is subverted to become a picture of oppression where the producers do not partake in the benefits of their work.
- Production and Deprivation: The juxtaposition of making oil H6671 and suffering thirst H6770 serves as a potent metaphor for a world where the righteous may suffer and the wicked prosper, a central theme in the book of Job.
- Physical Reality: The word grounds the poetic discourse in a tangible, physical activity. It is not an abstract concept but the real-world process of pressing olives, which makes the accompanying thirst all the more poignant.
In summary, H6671 is a rare but impactful word. Its single occurrence is not incidental but is key to painting a vivid picture of inequity. Paired with terms for treading winepresses and suffering thirst, it transforms a simple description of labor into a powerful commentary on injustice. The word demonstrates how even the most infrequently used terms in scripture can carry significant meaning within their specific context.
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