English · KJV
H6751

צָלַל

tsâlal /tsaw-lal'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root (identical with through the idea of hovering over (compare צֶלֶם))
Meaningto shade, as twilight or an opaque object
KJV usagebegin to be dark, shadowing.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of tsâlal — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

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.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 2 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • מֵצַל
  • צָלֲלוּ

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H2793 חֹרֶשׁ from חָרַשׁ; a forest (perhaps as furnishing the material for fabric); bough, forest, shroud, wood. H5462 סָגַר a primitive root; to shut up; figuratively, to surrender; close up, deliver (up), give over (up), inclose, [idiom] pure, H6605 פָּתַח a primitive root; to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve; appear, break

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 2 verses across 2 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Nehemiah and Ezekiel (1 verse each); never once in the other 37.

1
Nehemiah
1
Ezekiel

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.