or צֹא; from an unused root meaning to issue; soiled (as if excrementitious); filthy.
Transliteration:tsôwʼ
Pronunciation:tso
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma H6674 (צוֹא, *tsôwʼ*) is derived from an unused root that signifies "to issue" or "to go forth." While the root itself is not directly attested in the biblical text, its derivative forms carry a potent semantic weight. The core meaning of H6674 denotes a state of profound impurity, specifically "soiled (as if excrementitious)" or "filthy." This definition immediately evokes a strong sense of defilement, both physical and, by extension, moral or spiritual. It refers to that which is utterly unclean, repulsive, and abominable, often associated with waste matter. The term emphasizes extreme uncleanness, going beyond mere dirtiness to a state of putridity or moral corruption that repels and pollutes.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
It is important to note that the lemma H6674 (צוֹא) itself does not appear as a distinct, standalone word in the Masoretic Text. Rather, it serves as the conceptual root or base form from which the feminine noun H6675 (צוֹאָה, *tsôʼāh*), meaning "filth" or "excrement," is directly derived. Therefore, to understand the biblical usage and contextual analysis of the concept embodied by H6674, one must examine the occurrences of its primary derivative, H6675.
The occurrences of H6675 provide crucial insight into the nature of "filthiness" as understood in the biblical context:
* **[[Isaiah 4:4]]**: "When the Lord shall have washed away the filth (H6675) of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning." Here, "filth" is explicitly linked to the moral and spiritual corruption of the people, particularly the "daughters of Zion," signifying their sinful practices and defilement. The verse speaks of divine cleansing through judgment and purification, indicating that this "filth" is a barrier to holiness and requires God's transformative action.
* **[[Isaiah 28:8]]**: "For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness (H6675), so that there is no place clean." In this prophetic indictment against the drunken priests and prophets of Ephraim, the "filthiness" describes a state of utter physical and spiritual debauchery. The tables, meant for sacred feasting or instruction, are defiled by the products of gluttony and revelry, symbolizing the moral degradation and lack of discernment among the spiritual leaders. The absence of "any place clean" underscores the pervasive nature of this defilement.
* **[[Proverbs 30:12]]**: "There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness (H6675)." This proverb highlights the insidious nature of self-deception regarding one's moral state. Despite their self-proclaimed purity, this generation remains unpurified from their inherent "filthiness." This points to a deep-seated, perhaps unacknowledged, moral corruption that requires genuine cleansing, not merely a superficial appearance of righteousness.
In all these contexts, the concept of H6674/H6675 transcends mere physical dirt. It consistently refers to a state of moral and spiritual impurity, sin, and defilement that is anathema to God's holiness and demands divine intervention for cleansing.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of "filth" embodied by H6674 and its derivative H6675 is closely related to several other key biblical terms and theological concepts concerning purity and defilement:
* `{{H6675}}` (צוֹאָה, *tsôʼāh*): As noted, this is the direct feminine noun derived from H6674, meaning "filth," "excrement," or "dung." It is the most direct lexical link and explicitly embodies the physical and moral sense of the base word.
* `{{H2930}}` (טָמֵא, *ṭāmēʼ*): This is a very broad and common term meaning "unclean," "defiled," or "impure." It encompasses ritual impurity (e.g., contact with a corpse, certain bodily discharges) as well as moral impurity (e.g., idolatry, sexual sin). While H6674 emphasizes the *nature* of the defilement (filth), `{{H2930}}` describes the *state* of being defiled.
* `{{H8227}}` (שִׁקּוּץ, *shiqquṣ*): Meaning "detestable thing" or "abomination," often used for idols or practices abhorrent to God. While not directly "filth," abominations are inherently defiling and represent a moral impurity that separates one from God.
* `{{H1681}}` (דֶּמֶן, *demen*): This term refers specifically to "dung" or "manure," often used in a literal sense but also metaphorically to describe something worthless or contemptible, akin to refuse.
* The broader concepts of sin, iniquity, transgression, and rebellion are all related, as they are the source of the "filthiness" that pollutes individuals and communities in the eyes of a holy God.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H6674 (צוֹא) and its conceptual presence through H6675 is profound. It underscores the absolute antithesis between human sinfulness and divine holiness.
1. **The Nature of Sin:** The use of "filth" to describe human moral corruption emphasizes the repulsive and defiling nature of sin in God's sight. It is not merely a mistake or an error, but something that pollutes and renders one unclean, separating them from the pure presence of God.
2. **Divine Judgment and Cleansing:** The prophetic contexts (especially Isaiah) reveal that this "filthiness" necessitates divine intervention. God's judgment is portrayed as a purifying fire or spirit that washes away this defilement. This highlights God's active role in sanctifying His people and His land, removing that which is an offense to His holiness.
3. **The Need for True Purity:** The proverb in [[Proverbs 30:12]] serves as a stark reminder that outward appearance or self-perception of purity is insufficient. True cleansing from "filthiness" requires more than human effort; it implies a deep, internal transformation that only God can accomplish. This resonates with the New Testament emphasis on spiritual rebirth and the washing of regeneration.
4. **Holiness and Separation:** The concept of "filth" reinforces the biblical call to holiness and separation from the defiling influences of the world. What is "filthy" cannot dwell in the presence of a holy God. This necessitates a radical purification for those who would draw near to Him.
### Summary
H6674 (צוֹא, *tsôwʼ*) represents the intense concept of "filth" or "soiledness," derived from a root meaning "to issue." While not directly found as a standalone word in the biblical text, its profound meaning is fully expressed through its derivative, H6675 (צוֹאָה). This "filthiness" is consistently portrayed in Scripture as a deep moral and spiritual defilement, symbolic of human sin, corruption, and rebellion against God. Occurrences in Isaiah and Proverbs demonstrate its connection to the pervasive impurity of a sinful people, requiring divine judgment and purification. Theologically, H6674 highlights the repulsive nature of sin in contrast to God's absolute holiness, emphasizing humanity's desperate need for God's cleansing and transformative work to achieve true purity and reconciliation.
TRV