The Hebrew word tsachar, represented by H6713, means sheen, i.e. whiteness; white. Derived from an unused root meaning to dazzle, this term is exceptionally rare. It appears only 1 time across 1 unique verse in the Bible, where it is used to describe a specific quality.
The single appearance of H6713 is in a prophecy against Tyre, detailing the city's vast network of trade. In Ezekiel 27:18, Damascus is listed as a merchant partner, trading valuable goods with Tyre. The verse specifies that Damascus offered "the wine of Helbon, and white wool" in exchange for Tyre's many wares and riches. Here, tsachar functions as an adjective, highlighting the pure color and likely high quality of the wool being traded.
Several words from its immediate context in Ezekiel 27:18 help illustrate the world of ancient commerce and value:
- H6785 tsemer (wool): This is the commodity that H6713 modifies. Wool was a foundational economic good, used elsewhere as a metaphor for purification, as in the promise that scarlet sins shall be as wool Isaiah 1:18.
- H5503 çâchar (go about, merchant(-man), trade): This root word for "merchant" defines the commercial activity central to the passage. It is used to describe the Midianite merchantmen who bought Joseph Genesis 37:28 and the traders of Tarshish Ezekiel 27:12.
- H1952 hôwn (wealth, riches, substance): This term for riches is mentioned in the same verse, emphasizing the immense wealth flowing into Tyre. It is used throughout scripture to refer to material wealth Psalms 112:3 and substance Proverbs 3:9.
- H3196 yayin (wine): Traded alongside the white wool, wine was another significant commodity. While it can be part of joyful celebration Ecclesiastes 9:7, it is also described as a mocker that can lead one astray Proverbs 20:1.
Though it appears only once, the theological context of H6713 is significant. It contributes to a larger biblical message concerning wealth, purity, and judgment.
- A Standard of Value: In its sole use, the word describes a luxury good within a list of valuable commodities. This highlights how material quality and economic prosperity were measured in the ancient world, setting the stage for the prophecy against Tyre's pride in its wealth.
- An Echo of Purity: While its use is commercial, the description of "white" wool evokes the powerful biblical symbol of purity. The related term for wool H6785 is used in Isaiah 1:18, where God promises to make scarlet sins "as wool," tying the physical characteristic of whiteness to the spiritual concept of forgiveness and cleansing.
- Detail in Divine Judgment: The mention of specific, high-value goods like "white wool" serves to emphasize the scale of Tyre's commercial empire. This detailed accounting underscores the source of the city's pride and arrogance, which ultimately led to God's judgment upon it.
In summary, H6713 is a highly specific term for white that, despite its single occurrence, provides important detail. Its appearance in Ezekiel 27:18 firmly roots a prophetic oracle in the tangible reality of ancient international trade. While its primary function is descriptive, it connects to the associated themes of material value and symbolic purity, demonstrating how even the rarest words contribute to the texture and theological depth of scripture.
TRV