### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
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.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
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.
### Related Words & Concepts
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]].
### Theological Significance
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.
### Summary
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.
TRV