feminine of צוּר; a rock (Job 28:10); also a form (as if pressed out); form, rock.
Transliteration:tsûwrâh
Pronunciation:tsoo-raw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun צוּרָה (tsûwrâh), `{{H6699}}`, is the feminine form of צוּר (tsûr), `{{H6697}}`, which primarily means "rock," "cliff," or "fortress." This etymological connection immediately suggests connotations of solidity, permanence, and strength.
However, צוּרָה exhibits a fascinating dual semantic range, reflecting its derivation not only from the noun צוּר `{{H6697}}` but also from the verbal root צוּר `{{H6696}}`, which can mean "to bind," "to fashion," "to form," or "to press." This dual origin gives rise to two distinct yet related meanings:
1. **Physical Rock/Rocky Mass:** In this sense, צוּרָה refers to a hard, unyielding geological formation. It denotes the material substance of rock, emphasizing its density and resistance.
2. **Form/Shape/Pattern/Design:** This meaning extends from the idea of something "pressed out" or "fashioned." It refers to the specific configuration, outline, or blueprint of an object or structure. This usage implies precision, intentionality, and a defined structure.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of צוּרָה in the Hebrew Bible beautifully illustrate its semantic breadth:
* **[[Job 28:10]]**: "He cuts out channels in the rocks (צוּרוֹת), and his eye sees every precious thing." Here, צוּרוֹת (the plural of צוּרָה) unequivocally refers to physical "rocks" or "rocky masses." The context describes the arduous and skilled work of miners who delve deep into the earth, cutting through solid stone to extract valuable minerals. This usage underscores the hardness and formidable nature of the earth's crust.
* **[[Ezekiel 43:10]]**: "Son of man, describe the temple to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities; and let them measure the pattern (צוּרָה)."
* **[[Ezekiel 43:11]]**: "And if they are ashamed of all that they have done, make known to them the design of the temple, its arrangement, its exits and its entrances, and all its forms (צוּרֹתָיו), and all its regulations and all its laws, and write it down in their sight, so that they may observe all its laws and all its regulations and carry them out."
In these passages from Ezekiel, צוּרָה (and its plural צוּרֹתָיו) takes on the meaning of "form," "pattern," or "design." It refers to the precise architectural blueprint and specifications of the visionary temple. The prophet is commanded to convey the exact "form" of the temple to the exiles, emphasizing the meticulous detail and divine origin of this pattern. This usage highlights God's particularity and the importance of adherence to His revealed will in matters of worship and order. The "form" here is not arbitrary but divinely ordained, serving as a standard for repentance and obedience.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of צוּרָה is enriched by examining its linguistic relatives and conceptual parallels:
* **צוּר (tsûr) `{{H6697}}`**: The masculine noun from which צוּרָה is derived. צוּר frequently refers to a physical rock or cliff, but also metaphorically to God as a "Rock" of strength, refuge, and faithfulness (e.g., [[Deuteronomy 32:4]], [[Psalm 18:2]]). This connection imbues צוּרָה with an implicit sense of durability and divine foundation, even when referring to physical rocks.
* **צוּר (tsûr) `{{H6696}}`**: The verbal root, meaning "to bind," "to tie," "to fashion," "to form," or "to press." This verb is crucial for understanding the "form/pattern" sense of צוּרָה, as it implies something that has been shaped or given a definite outline through a process of pressing or molding.
* **אֶבֶן (ʾeven) `{{H68}}`**: A more general term for "stone." While אֶבֶן can refer to any stone, צוּרָה (when meaning "rock") often implies a larger, more massive formation or a specific type of rock.
* **סֶלַע (selaʿ) `{{H5553}}`**: Another term for "rock" or "crag," often denoting a sheer cliff or a prominent rocky outcrop. צוּרָה can overlap with this, particularly in its physical sense.
* **תַּבְנִית (tabnît) `{{H8403}}`**: Meaning "pattern," "model," "structure," or "likeness." This word is frequently used in contexts of divine blueprints, such as the tabernacle or temple (e.g., [[Exodus 25:9]], [[1 Kings 6:38]]). While תַּבְנִית emphasizes the *model* or *likeness*, צוּרָה in Ezekiel emphasizes the *defined shape* or *precise configuration* of the pattern.
* **תֹּאַר (to'ar) `{{H8389}}`**: Meaning "shape," "form," or "appearance." תֹּאַר often describes the outward physical appearance of a person or object, whereas צוּרָה in its "form" sense refers more to the underlying structure or design.
### Theological Significance
The dual meaning of צוּרָה carries profound theological implications:
1. **The Physical World and Human Endeavor:** In [[Job 28:10]], צוּרָה highlights the formidable nature of the physical creation and the immense human effort required to extract its hidden treasures. It speaks to the order and challenges inherent in God's created world, where valuable resources are often embedded within unyielding צוּרָה. While not directly applied to God as "Rock" in this verse, its connection to צוּר `{{H6697}}` implicitly links it to the stability and unyielding power of the Creator who fashioned such a world. It underscores the wisdom required to navigate and utilize the earth's צוּרָה.
2. **Divine Order and Revealed Will:** The use of צוּרָה in Ezekiel is deeply significant. It underscores God's meticulousness, sovereignty, and desire for order in the worship and life of His people. The temple's צוּרָה is not a human invention but a divinely revealed blueprint, demanding precise adherence. This emphasizes:
* **God's Sovereignty in Design:** God has a specific צוּרָה for His dwelling and for the life of His people. This pattern is not open to human modification but is given as a standard.
* **The Importance of Obedience:** The command to "measure the pattern" and observe "all its forms" is a call to align human actions and institutions with God's perfect design. It signifies the necessity of conforming to God's revealed will as a prerequisite for His presence and blessing.
* **Holiness and Purity:** The precise צוּרָה of the temple serves as a tangible representation of the holiness required for divine encounter. Its detailed specifications are a constant reminder of the separation between the sacred and the profane, and the need for Israel to be "ashamed of their iniquities" and return to God's צוּרָה.
### Summary
צוּרָה (tsûwrâh), `{{H6699}}`, is a rich Hebrew noun demonstrating a compelling semantic range. Rooted in the concepts of "rock" and "formation," it denotes both a physical "rock" or "rocky mass," signifying solidity and permanence, as seen in [[Job 28:10]]. More profoundly, it signifies a "form," "pattern," or "design," particularly a divinely revealed blueprint, as extensively illustrated in [[Ezekiel 43:10]] and [[Ezekiel 43:11]] concerning the visionary temple. This latter usage highlights God's meticulousness, His sovereign order, and the imperative for humanity to conform to His precise and holy צוּרָה in matters of worship and life. צוּרָה thus encapsulates both the unyielding nature of the created world and the precise, structured nature of divine revelation, calling for both awe at creation and faithful obedience to the Creator's perfect design.
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