a primitive root (identical with through the idea of hovering over (compare צֶלֶם)); to shade, as twilight or an opaque object; begin to be dark, shadowing.
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **tsâlal**, represented by `{{H6751}}`, is a primitive root used to describe the act of shading or growing dark. Its core idea involves hovering over, like twilight or an opaque object. It is a rare term, appearing only **2 times** across **2 unique verses** in the Bible, where it signifies shadowing or the beginning of darkness.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The two uses of `{{H6751}}` illustrate its literal and figurative applications. In [[Ezekiel 31:3]], it is used metaphorically to describe the magnificence of the Assyrian empire, which is compared to a great cedar with a "shadowing shroud." Here, the word conveys a sense of imposing, protective cover. In contrast, [[Nehemiah 13:19]] uses the word in a literal sense, noting that the gates of Jerusalem **began to be dark** as the Sabbath approached, signaling the time to cease work and secure the city.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help clarify the context in which `{{H6751}}` appears:
* `{{H2793}}` **chôresh**: This word for **forest, shroud, or wood** is paired directly with `{{H6751}}` in [[Ezekiel 31:3]] to describe the cedar's dense, leafy canopy, emphasizing its "shadowing" quality.
* `{{H5462}}` **çâgar**: Meaning **to shut up**, this is the action commanded by Nehemiah in response to the twilight. The gates were to be shut [[Nehemiah 13:19]] because it "began to be dark," linking the darkness to an act of closure and separation.
* `{{H6605}}` **pâthach**: The opposite of shutting, this word means **to open wide**. Nehemiah commanded that the gates should not be opened until after the Sabbath, showing that the darkness initiated a period where entry was restricted [[Nehemiah 13:19]].
### Theological Significance
While rare, `{{H6751}}` carries distinct significance in its contexts. It is used to build specific theological and narrative points.
* **Symbol of Majesty and Influence:** In Ezekiel's prophecy, the "shadowing" nature of the tree is part of its glory, a visual metaphor for the vast and imposing power of the Assyrian empire [[Ezekiel 31:3]].
* **A Boundary for Sacred Time:** In Nehemiah, the darkening of the sky is not just a natural event but a trigger for spiritual observance. It marks the boundary for the Sabbath, prompting an act of obedience to protect the day's holiness [[Nehemiah 13:19]].
* **The Concept of Covering:** The root idea of shading connects to covering. The cedar provides a physical, "shadowing" cover, while the twilight prompts the covering or closing of Jerusalem's gates to preserve the sanctity of the Sabbath.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H6751}}` is a specific term that, in its two appearances, effectively communicates concepts of both natural grandeur and the ordering of time. From the impressive "shadowing shroud" of a symbolic cedar tree to the practical twilight that "began to be dark" before the Sabbath, **tsâlal** illustrates how the Bible uses descriptions of light and shadow to convey messages of power, authority, and divine timing.
TRV