from an unused root meaning to sink; an abyss (of the sea); deep.
Transliteration:tsûwlâh
Pronunciation:tsoo-law'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word H6683 (צוּלָה, tsûwlâh) derives from an unused root signifying "to sink." As a noun, tsûwlâh primarily denotes an "abyss" or "deep," specifically referencing the profound depths of the sea. Its core meaning encapsulates the concept of extreme vertical extension downwards, suggesting a place of unfathomable depth, often associated with water. This base definition carries connotations of vastness, unknowability, and potentially danger, as something that sinks into such a depth is lost or overwhelmed. The term highlights a profound, often overwhelming, downward extension.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
H6683 appears infrequently in the Hebrew Bible, but its occurrences are highly significant, illustrating both literal and metaphorical applications of its core meaning:
* **[[Exodus 15:10]]**: "You blew with your wind; the sea covered them; they sank like lead in the mighty waters [[tsûwlâh]]." This is part of the triumphant Song of the Sea, celebrating God's deliverance of Israel and the destruction of Pharaoh's army. Here, tsûwlâh refers to the literal deep waters of the Red Sea that engulfed the Egyptians, serving as an instrument of divine judgment. The imagery emphasizes the completeness of their submersion and destruction.
* **[[Nehemiah 9:11]]**: "And You divided the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on dry land; and their pursuers You hurled into the depths [[tsûwlâh]], as a stone into mighty waters." In this prayer of confession and praise, the Levites recount God's faithfulness, echoing the Exodus event. tsûwlâh again denotes the deep waters of the Red Sea, into which the Egyptian chariots were cast. It reinforces the theme of God's sovereign power over creation and His decisive judgment against His enemies.
* **[[Psalm 69:15]]**: "Let not the flood of waters engulf me, nor let the deep [[tsûwlâh]] swallow me up; nor let the pit shut its mouth on me." In this lament psalm, the psalmist cries out from a state of profound distress. Here, tsûwlâh is used metaphorically to describe overwhelming affliction, despair, or the overwhelming forces of enemies that threaten to consume him. The "deep" represents a desperate, life-threatening situation from which only divine intervention can rescue.
Across these occurrences, tsûwlâh consistently signifies an overwhelming, inescapable depth, whether literal (divine judgment) or metaphorical (human suffering).
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of "deep" or "abyss" in the Hebrew Bible is often conveyed by several related terms, enriching the semantic field of tsûwlâh:
* `{{H8415}}` (təhôm): This is the most prominent word for "deep" or "abyss," often referring to the primeval waters of creation ([[Genesis 1:2]]) or the great deep from which floods arise ([[Genesis 7:11]]). While tsûwlâh specifically denotes a sinking depth, təhôm carries broader cosmological implications of the chaotic, unformed waters. tsûwlâh can be seen as a specific manifestation or aspect of təhôm's destructive potential.
* `{{H4325}}` (mayim): The general term for "waters," which provides the contextual element for tsûwlâh.
* `{{H6682}}` (tsûl): A related noun, also meaning "depth," likely from the same root, reinforcing the notion of profound lowness.
* `{{H6680}}` (tsalal): The verbal root meaning "to sink," "to plunge," or "to go down," from which tsûwlâh derives. This root emphasizes the action of descending into the deep.
Concepts closely associated with tsûwlâh include divine judgment, overwhelming forces, chaos, human helplessness, and divine deliverance.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H6683 lies in its powerful imagery of inescapable depth and the divine control over such profound forces.
1. **Divine Judgment and Sovereignty**: In the Exodus and Nehemiah accounts, tsûwlâh serves as the instrument of God's judgment against Pharaoh's army. It represents a place of no return for those who oppose God's will. This demonstrates God's absolute sovereignty over creation, even the most chaotic and destructive elements like the deep waters. He commands the tsûwlâh to both part for His people and engulf their enemies, showcasing His mighty power to save and to destroy.
2. **Human Helplessness and Divine Deliverance**: In Psalm 69, tsûwlâh metaphorically portrays the overwhelming nature of human suffering, despair, or persecution. The psalmist feels utterly submerged and helpless, unable to escape the "deep" without divine intervention. This highlights the profound reliance of humanity on God for salvation from the most dire circumstances. It underscores that even from the deepest pits of affliction, God is able to rescue.
3. **Order Over Chaos**: While not as cosmologically broad as təhôm, tsûwlâh contributes to the biblical theme of God's power to bring order out of chaos. The deep, whether literal or metaphorical, represents a realm of danger and potential destruction, yet it is fully subject to God's command.
### Summary
H6683 (צוּלָה, tsûwlâh) is a potent Hebrew term signifying a profound "abyss" or "deep," primarily associated with water. Rooted in the concept of "sinking," it evokes imagery of overwhelming depth. Biblically, tsûwlâh functions both literally, as the deep waters of the Red Sea that consumed Pharaoh's army ([[Exodus 15:10]], [[Nehemiah 9:11]]), and metaphorically, representing the profound depths of human suffering and despair ([[Psalm 69:15]]). Theologically, tsûwlâh powerfully illustrates God's sovereign control over destructive forces, serving as an instrument of divine judgment and a metaphor for the overwhelming perils from which only God can deliver. It underscores the ultimate power of God over all creation, even its most formidable and chaotic elements.
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