or צֵדָה; feminine of צַיִד; food; meat, provision, venison, victuals.
Transliteration:tsêydâh
Pronunciation:tsay-daw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word צֵידָה (tsêydâh, `{{H6720}}`) is a feminine noun derived from the root צוד (tsûd, `{{H6679}}`), meaning "to hunt" or "to lie in wait," and is closely related to the masculine noun צַיִד (tsayid, `{{H6718}}`), which denotes "a catch," "game," or "food."
The core meaning of צֵידָה is "provision" or "sustenance." It specifically refers to food that is gathered, hunted, or prepared for a particular purpose, often with the connotation of supplies for a journey or an expedition.
Its semantic range encompasses:
* General "food" or "provisions" for daily consumption.
* "Victuals" or "supplies" necessary for travel, a military campaign, or a period away from home.
* Occasionally, "venison" or "hunted meat," reflecting its etymological connection to hunting, though its usage broadens beyond this specific type of food.
The term emphasizes the practical aspect of sustenance, often implying foresight in preparation or a critical lack thereof.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word צֵידָה appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, consistently referring to provisions:
* **Genesis 42:25**: Joseph commands his servants to fill his brothers' sacks with "grain" (צֵידָה) for their journey back to Canaan, emphasizing the practical need for food during travel.
* **Exodus 12:39**: The Israelites, fleeing Egypt in haste, had no time to prepare "victual" (צֵידָה) for themselves, highlighting their unpreparedness for such a sudden departure.
* **Joshua 1:11**: Joshua commands the officers to instruct the people to "prepare you victuals" (צֵידָה) for the crossing of the Jordan, underscoring the necessity of practical preparation for a divine undertaking.
* **Joshua 9:5, 11-12**: The Gibeonites, through an elaborate deception, present themselves as having come from a far country, evidenced by their "dry and mouldy" bread of "provision" (צֵידָה). This passage vividly illustrates the concept of provisions for a long journey.
* **Judges 7:8**: Gideon's chosen 300 men take "victuals" (צֵידָה) and their trumpets, indicating the basic supplies for a military contingent.
* **Judges 20:10**: The Israelites, preparing for war against Benjamin, determine to send men to "fetch victuals" (צֵידָה) for the people, signifying the sustained need for provisions during conflict.
* **1 Samuel 17:17**: Jesse instructs David to take "parched corn" and "bread" (צֵידָה) to his brothers in the camp, again referring to provisions for soldiers.
* **Nehemiah 13:15**: Nehemiah observes people bringing "sheaves, and wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens" (צֵידָה) into Jerusalem on the Sabbath, here referring to general agricultural produce or provisions being brought to market or for storage.
Across these instances, צֵידָה consistently denotes the essential food supplies required for specific activities, particularly those involving movement or sustained effort.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **צַיִד (tsayid, `{{H6718}}`)**: The masculine counterpart, often referring to "game" or "hunted food," but also more generally to "food" or "provision." צֵידָה is the feminine form, and while sharing the core meaning, it often emphasizes the prepared or gathered aspect of provisions.
* **צוד (tsûd, `{{H6679}}`)**: The verbal root meaning "to hunt" or "to capture." This highlights the origin of some provisions, particularly in ancient contexts.
* **אֹכֶל (okel, `{{H400}}`)**: A very general term for "food" or "eatables." While overlapping with צֵידָה, אֹכֶל lacks the specific nuance of "provisions for a journey/purpose."
* **מַאֲכָל (ma'akal, `{{H3978}}`)**: Also a general term for "food" or "meat," often emphasizing something that is edible.
* **לֶחֶם (lechem, `{{H3899}}`)**: Primarily "bread," but often used metonymically for "food" in general, especially in contexts of daily sustenance.
* **מִחְיָה (michyah, `{{H4259}}`)**: "Sustenance" or "livelihood," focusing more on the means of preserving life rather than the specific food items.
The distinctiveness of צֵידָה lies in its emphasis on *prepared* or *gathered* provisions, especially for a journey or a specific undertaking, implying a sense of foresight or the lack thereof.
### Theological Significance
The seemingly mundane concept of "provision" (צֵידָה) in the biblical narrative carries profound theological weight:
1. **Divine Provision and Human Responsibility**: While God is the ultimate provider of all sustenance ([[Deuteronomy 8:3]], [[Psalm 104:27-28]]), the frequent commands to "prepare victuals" (e.g., [[Joshua 1:11]]) underscore the human responsibility to gather, manage, and steward the resources God provides. It highlights a divine-human partnership in the journey of faith and life. The Israelites were expected to prepare, even as they trusted in God's miraculous provision (manna) during their wilderness wanderings.
2. **Dependence and Trust**: Instances where צֵידָה is absent ([[Exodus 12:39]]) or deceptively presented ([[Joshua 9:5-12]]) often serve as a backdrop for demonstrating human vulnerability and the critical need for sustenance. These situations can highlight God's faithfulness in providing in unexpected ways or expose a lack of trust in God's ability to sustain His people.
3. **Life as a Journey/Pilgrimage**: The consistent association of צֵידָה with travel and migration (e.g., the Exodus, the conquest of Canaan) subtly reinforces a pervasive biblical theme: life itself is a journey or pilgrimage. Just as physical provisions are essential for a physical journey, spiritual and material sustenance from God is vital for the journey of faith.
4. **Order and Readiness**: The command to prepare צֵידָה before significant undertakings (e.g., crossing the Jordan) speaks to the biblical emphasis on order, planning, and readiness in response to divine callings. Faith does not negate practical wisdom or diligent preparation.
### Summary
The Hebrew word צֵידָה (tsêydâh, `{{H6720}}`) denotes "provisions," "food," or "victuals," specifically those prepared or gathered for a journey, military campaign, or a particular purpose. Originating from the root meaning "to hunt" (צוד, `{{H6679}}`) and related to "game" or "catch" (צַיִד, `{{H6718}}`), its usage extends to any necessary sustenance, often emphasizing foresight in preparation. Biblical contexts consistently depict צֵידָה in relation to travel, significant undertakings, or the consequences of its absence. Theologically, צֵידָה illuminates the interplay between divine provision and human responsibility, underscores the necessity of trust in God's sustaining power, and reinforces the biblical motif of life as a journey requiring both physical and spiritual sustenance. It serves as a reminder of the practical and spiritual readiness required for God's purposes.
TRV