### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **Tsûwr**, represented by `{{H6698}}`, is a proper name used for both a Midianite leader and an Israelite. It appears **5 times** across **5 unique verses**. The name's primary significance in the biblical narrative is tied to Zur, a prominent figure among the Midianites during the time of the Exodus.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H6698}}` first identifies a Midianite leader of high standing. He is listed as one of the five **kings** of Midian who were slain by the Israelites [[Numbers 31:8]]. He is also described as a **prince** of Midian smote by Moses [[Joshua 13:21]]. His status is further clarified in the account of his daughter Cozbi, where Zur is called "head over a people, and of a chief house in Midian" [[Numbers 25:15]]. A different individual named Zur appears in the genealogies of Israel, listed as a son of Abdon in the books of Chronicles ([[1 Chronicles 8:30]], [[1 Chronicles 9:36]]).
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words clarify the context surrounding the Midianite leader Zur:
* `{{H4428}}` **melek** (a king): This title is explicitly given to Zur and the other four Midianite leaders who were killed by the Israelites, establishing his royal status [[Numbers 31:8]].
* `{{H5387}}` **nâsîyʼ** (an exalted one, i.e. a king or sheik; prince, ruler): In a parallel account, Zur is referred to as one of the **princes** of Midian, reinforcing his position of authority [[Joshua 13:21]].
* `{{H2026}}` **hârag** (to smite with deadly intent; slay): This verb is used to describe the fate of Zur and the other Midianite kings, indicating they were deliberately killed in the conflict [[Numbers 31:8]].
* `{{H5221}}` **nâkâh** (to strike; kill, smite): This word describes the action taken against Zur's allies by Moses [[Joshua 13:21]] and the fate of his daughter Cozbi [[Numbers 25:15]], linking the entire family to the judgment enacted upon Midian.
* `{{H2491}}` **châlâl** (pierced; slain): This term is used to describe the wider group of casualties among whom the Midianite kings were counted, placing their deaths within the context of a larger military defeat [[Numbers 31:8]].
### Theological Significance
The narrative significance of `{{H6698}}` is primarily focused on the Midianite figure:
* **Embodiment of Enemy Leadership:** As a **king** [[Numbers 31:8]] and a "head over a people" [[Numbers 25:15]], Zur represents the high-level opposition to Israel. His death is a key part of the narrative of victory and divine judgment against Midian.
* **Link to Idolatry and Sin:** Zur is the father of Cozbi, the Midianitish woman slain for her part in leading Israel into sin [[Numbers 25:15]]. This connects his leadership directly to the moral and spiritual threat Midian posed to the Israelites.
* **Contrast in Record-Keeping:** The use of the name for an Israelite in genealogies ([[1 Chronicles 8:30]], [[1 Chronicles 9:36]]) stands in stark contrast to its use for a foreign enemy. This highlights the dual purpose of the biblical text to record both the history of Israel's conflicts and its own internal lineage.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H6698}}` is a proper name whose significance is defined by the two figures who bear it. It is most prominently associated with Zur, a Midianite king whose story is one of conflict, judgment, and the downfall of Israel's adversaries. The name's secondary appearance in an Israelite genealogy provides a quiet counterpoint, underscoring the Bible's detailed preservation of both its enemies' defeat and its own heritage.
TRV