lemma צִיוּן missing dagesh, corrected to צִיּוּן; from the same as צִיָּה in the sense of conspicuousness (compare נָצַח); a monumental or guiding pillar; sign, title, waymark.
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **tsîyûwn**, represented by `{{H6725}}`, denotes a **monumental or guiding pillar**. Based on a root word implying conspicuousness, it is defined as a **sign, title, or waymark**. It appears **3 times** across **3 unique verses** in the Bible, consistently used to describe a physical marker that draws attention to a place or object for a specific purpose.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In its biblical occurrences, `{{H6725}}` serves as a marker of guidance, remembrance, or identification. In Jeremiah, the prophet commands the virgin of Israel to set up **waymarks** to guide the people back to their cities, connecting the marker with a path of return and restoration [[Jeremiah 31:21]]. In 2 Kings, the word is translated as **title** and refers to the marker on the grave of the man of God from Judah, which serves to identify his sepulchre [[2 Kings 23:17]]. Lastly, in Ezekiel, passersby are instructed to set up a **sign** next to any human bone they find, marking it for the buriers to ensure the land is cleansed [[Ezekiel 39:15]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help clarify the function and context of these markers:
* `{{H8564}}` **tamrûwr** (high heap): Defined as an erection, pillar, or high heap, this word is used in direct parallel with `{{H6725}}` in the command to "Set thee up waymarks, make thee **high heaps**" [[Jeremiah 31:21]], reinforcing the idea of a visible, guiding structure.
* `{{H1870}}` **derek** (way): This word for a road or course of life is what the **waymark** `{{H6725}}` is intended to point toward. Jeremiah tells Israel to set their heart toward the highway, "even the **way** which thou wentest" [[Jeremiah 31:21]].
* `{{H6913}}` **qeber** (sepulchre): Meaning a burying place or grave, this is the object that the **title** `{{H6725}}` identifies in [[2 Kings 23:17]]. The marker’s purpose is to give identity to the **sepulchre** of the man of God.
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H6725}}` is seen in its function as a tool for divine purposes.
* **Guidance and Restoration:** The command to set up **waymarks** in Jeremiah is not merely about finding a physical road; it is a call to the nation of Israel to set their hearts on the path of return to their cities and, by extension, to their covenant relationship with God [[Jeremiah 31:21]].
* **Remembrance and Fulfillment:** The **title** on the prophet's grave in 2 Kings serves as a point of remembrance. It prompts a retelling of the prophecy that was fulfilled, highlighting the endurance and certainty of God's proclaimed word [[2 Kings 23:17]].
* **Marking for Order and Holiness:** In Ezekiel's vision, setting up a **sign** by a bone is a crucial step in cleansing the land. The marker facilitates an orderly process of burial, underscoring the importance of separating the clean from the unclean to restore the land [[Ezekiel 39:15]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H6725}}` is a specific term for a marker intended to be seen. Whether as a **waymark** for guidance, a **title** for remembrance, or a **sign** for identification, its purpose is to direct human action toward a divinely-ordained goal. It illustrates how physical objects can be invested with spiritual significance, serving to guide God's people, preserve the memory of His works, and maintain holiness.
TRV