The Hebrew word tsayâd, represented by H6719, defines a huntsman; hunter. Based on a root word for hunting, this term is highly specific. Its rarity is notable, as it appears only 1 time across 1 unique verse in the entire Bible, making its single context critically important for its meaning.
The only appearance of H6719 is in a prophetic declaration in Jeremiah 16:16. The Lord proclaims that after sending for "fishers," He "will send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks." In this passage, the hunter is not a literal huntsman of animals but a metaphorical figure sent by God to conduct a thorough and inescapable pursuit of people.
Several related words in the surrounding text illuminate the role of the hunter:
- H6679 tsûwd (to hunt): This is the root verb from which the noun tsayâd is derived. It means to "catch an animal (figuratively, men)." It is used in Jeremiah 16:16 for the action the hunters will take and appears elsewhere in contexts of hunting men, such as when "they hunt every man his brother with a net" Micah 7:2 or "hunt the souls of my people" Ezekiel 13:18.
- H1771 dayâg (a fisherman; fisher): This word is used in direct parallel to hunter in Jeremiah 16:16. The sequence of God sending fishers and then hunters suggests two comprehensive phases of a single divine operation.
- H7971 shâlach (to send away, for, or out): This verb establishes the authority behind the hunter's mission. The Lord is the one who will "send" H7971 for the hunters, commissioning them as His agents, just as He sends His word to heal Psalms 107:20.
The theological weight of H6719 is derived entirely from its singular, powerful usage.
- Agents of Divine Judgment: The hunter is an instrument of God's will, explicitly sent by Him to fulfill a specific purpose. This highlights divine sovereignty in directing human events.
- Symbol of Inescapable Pursuit: The description of hunting from every mountain, hill, and rock crevice Jeremiah 16:16 creates a powerful metaphor for a thorough and relentless action. It signifies that no one can hide from the execution of God's plan.
- Metaphorical Role: The context clearly frames the hunter as a pursuer of people as part of a divine judgment or gathering, shifting the term from a common profession to a symbol of divine agency.
In summary, while tsayâd H6719 is exceptionally rare, its role in scripture is distinct and potent. Its sole appearance in Jeremiah 16:16 transforms it from a simple word for a hunter into a profound metaphor for an agent of God's inescapable will. The term illustrates how even the most infrequently used words can carry significant theological meaning when placed in a key prophetic context.
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