from an unused root meaning to confine; the pillory; stocks.
Transliteration:tsîynôq
Pronunciation:tsee-noke'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun צִינֹק (tsîynôq), Strong's `{{H6729}}`, refers to a device of physical restraint and public humiliation, specifically translated as "pillory" or "stocks." The term derives from an unused root signifying "to confine" or "to restrain." This etymological root underscores the primary function of the tsîynôq: to hold an individual captive, typically by the neck, hands, or feet, in a fixed and exposed position. Its semantic range is therefore narrow, focusing on a punitive instrument designed for both physical incapacitation and public shame, often associated with legal or societal punishment.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word צִינֹק (tsîynôq) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in [[Jeremiah 29:26]]. The context is crucial for understanding its significance:
In this passage, Jeremiah the prophet is writing to the exiles in Babylon, delivering a message from Yahweh that contradicts the false prophecies of immediate return. Shemaiah the Nehelamite, a false prophet among the exiles, sends letters back to Jerusalem, specifically to Zephaniah the priest and other officials. Shemaiah accuses Jeremiah of being a madman and a false prophet for his messages of prolonged exile and judgment. He challenges Zephaniah's authority, asking why he has not taken action against Jeremiah, stating: "The Lord has made you priest instead of Jehoiada to be an officer in the house of the Lord, to have charge of every madman who prophesies, to put him in the stocks and the collar."
Here, the tsîynôq is presented as an instrument of official discipline and punishment, to be used against those deemed disruptive or insane, particularly those whose prophetic utterances were unwelcome. Shemaiah's demand reveals the severe nature of the tsîynôq; it was not merely a holding cell but a public device intended to silence and humiliate. The implication is that Jeremiah's true prophetic message was so offensive to the prevailing false narrative that Shemaiah believed Jeremiah deserved such a harsh, public, and demeaning fate. This single occurrence powerfully illustrates the opposition and persecution faced by God's faithful messengers.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of confinement and punishment is prevalent throughout the biblical narrative, and צִינֹק (tsîynôq) connects to a broader lexical field:
* **Words for Binding/Imprisonment:**
* `{{H631}}` ('asar): A general verb meaning "to bind" or "to imprison," often referring to the act of incarceration.
* `{{H3608}}` (kebel): Refers to "fetters" or "chains," typically used for binding prisoners.
* `{{H4525}}` (masger): Denotes a "prison" or "lock-up," a place of confinement.
* **Words for Instruments of Restraint/Punishment:**
* `{{H5178}}` (neḥuštah) or `{{H4480}}` (mandar): Often translated as "bronze fetters," "chains," or "collar," as seen alongside tsîynôq in [[Jeremiah 29:26]]. These terms describe various types of physical restraints.
* **Concepts of Public Shame and Humiliation:** The tsîynôq inherently involves public exposure, aligning it with other forms of shaming punishment in the ancient world, contrasting with private incarceration. This aspect highlights the social degradation intended by its use.
* **Prophetic Suffering:** The context in Jeremiah links tsîynôq to the broader theme of the persecution of prophets. Figures like Micaiah ([[1 Kings 22:24-27]]) and Jeremiah himself (e.g., [[Jeremiah 20:2]], where he is put in "the stocks" by Pashhur, though a different Hebrew word, `{{H4270}}` *mahpeketh*, is used) frequently faced imprisonment, beatings, and public scorn for delivering God's unpopular messages.
### Theological Significance
The singular appearance of צִינֹק (tsîynôq) in [[Jeremiah 29:26]] carries profound theological weight:
* **The Cost of True Prophecy:** The word starkly illustrates the intense opposition and suffering often endured by those who faithfully proclaim God's truth. Jeremiah's message, though divinely inspired, was unwelcome because it challenged the false hopes and spiritual complacency of the exiles. The proposed use of the tsîynôq against him symbolizes the world's desire to silence inconvenient truths and suppress divine revelation. It underscores the reality that faithfulness to God's word can lead to persecution and public disgrace.
* **Conflict Between Truth and Falsehood:** The context highlights the perennial conflict between genuine prophecy and deceptive falsehood. Shemaiah, a false prophet, sought to use the instruments of human authority and punishment (the tsîynôq) to suppress the true prophet. This episode serves as a powerful reminder that those who speak God's word often face the wrath of those who prefer lies.
* **Divine Sovereignty Amidst Human Injustice:** While the tsîynôq represents human injustice and an attempt to thwart God's purposes, the narrative of Jeremiah ultimately demonstrates God's sovereignty. Shemaiah, who wished to see Jeremiah confined, ultimately faced divine judgment himself (cf. [[Jeremiah 29:32]]), demonstrating that God defends His true messengers and judges those who oppose His word.
* **Symbol of Oppression:** More broadly, the tsîynôq serves as a symbol of the oppressive forces that seek to control, silence, and humiliate those who stand for righteousness and truth. It embodies the physical and social constraints imposed upon individuals who challenge ungodly systems or deliver messages of repentance and judgment.
### Summary
The Hebrew word צִינֹק (tsîynôq), Strong's `{{H6729}}`, refers to the "pillory" or "stocks," an instrument of severe punitive confinement and public humiliation, derived from a root meaning "to confine." Its sole biblical occurrence in [[Jeremiah 29:26]] is highly significant, portraying the demand by the false prophet Shemaiah that Jeremiah, God's true prophet, be placed in these stocks. This dramatic context elevates tsîynôq beyond a mere physical restraint to a potent symbol. It powerfully illustrates the intense opposition, persecution, and public shaming often faced by those who faithfully deliver God's unpopular truths. The word thus encapsulates the profound conflict between divine revelation and human resistance, underscoring the suffering inherent in genuine prophetic ministry and the world's persistent desire to silence inconvenient truths.
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