### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **tsâchach**, represented by `{{H6705}}`, is a primitive root meaning **to glare, i.e. be dazzling white; be whiter**. This term is exceptionally rare in scripture, appearing only **1 time** in **1 unique verse**. Its singular use lends it a highly specific and poetic quality, emphasizing a brilliant or superlative state of whiteness.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole instance of `{{H6705}}` is found in [[Lamentations 4:7]], a passage describing the former glory of Jerusalem's consecrated individuals. The verse states, "Her Nazarites were purer than snow, they were **whiter** than milk, they were more ruddy in body than rubies." Here, **tsâchach** is used in a direct comparison to express a whiteness that surpasses even that of milk, contributing to a vivid image of health, purity, and honor that has been tragically lost.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words from [[Lamentations 4:7]] provide a rich context for understanding `{{H6705}}`:
* `{{H5139}}` **nâzîyr** (Nazarite): This term means to be **separate, i.e. consecrated**. It refers to those set apart for God's service [[Numbers 6:2]] and is used to identify the subjects of this lament [[Lamentations 4:7]].
* `{{H2141}}` **zâkak** (purer): Meaning **to be transparent or clean**, it is used to describe the Nazarites as "purer than snow," establishing a theme of ideal purity [[Lamentations 4:7]].
* `{{H2461}}` **châlâb** (milk): This word for **milk** serves as the benchmark of whiteness that **tsâchach** exceeds. It is often associated with abundance and nourishment, as in a "land flowing with milk and honey" [[Exodus 3:8]].
* `{{H7950}}` **sheleg** (snow): Used as a symbol of ultimate purity and whiteness, as when God promises to make sins "as white as **snow**" [[Isaiah 1:18]].
* `{{H119}}` **ʼâdam** (ruddy): Meaning **to show blood (in the face)... be (dyed, made) red (ruddy)**, this word completes the picture of health and vitality, describing the Nazarites as "more ruddy in body" [[Lamentations 4:7]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H6705}}` is entirely derived from its context within the lament for Jerusalem.
* **Symbol of Consecrated Purity:** Used to describe Nazarites `{{H5139}}`, the dazzling whiteness of `{{H6705}}` symbolizes an ideal state of physical and spiritual purity associated with those set apart for the LORD.
* **Image of Lost Glory:** The description of the Nazarites' former appearance—"whiter than milk"—serves to heighten the sense of tragedy. This image of vitality and honor stands in stark contrast to their current state of suffering, making the loss more profound.
* **Poetic Superlative:** The word functions as a powerful literary device. By creating a visual of extreme whiteness, it paints a picture of a past blessedness that was dependent on a right relationship with God, a relationship that has since been broken.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H6705}}` is a highly specialized term whose meaning is inseparable from its single appearance in scripture. While its base definition is simply "to be whiter," its use in [[Lamentations 4:7]] elevates it to a symbol of superlative purity and consecrated glory. It captures a vivid memory of a blessed past, thereby emphasizing the depth of the subsequent loss and providing a powerful image within biblical lament literature.
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