Word Study for H6767 (צְלָצַל)

tsᵉlâtsal /tsel-aw-tsal'/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom צָלַל reduplicated

Meaninga clatter, i.e. (abstractly) whirring (of wings); (concretely) a cricket; also a harpoon (as rattling), a cymbal (as clanging)

KJV usagecymbal, locust, shadowing, spear.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of tsᵉlâtsal — 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 tsᵉlâtsal, represented by H6767, is derived from a root meaning to clatter or rattle. It appears 6 times across 5 unique verses in the Bible. Its definition is broad, encompassing the whirring of wings, a cricket or locust, a harpoon or spear, and a clanging cymbal, reflecting a core idea of a sharp, resounding sound or object.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, the use of H6767 varies widely depending on the context. It is most frequently translated as cymbals, a key instrument in expressions of worship and praise before the Lord (2 Samuel 6:5, Psalms 150:5). In stark contrast, it is used to denote the locust that will consume the trees and fruit of the land as part of a divine curse Deuteronomy 28:42. It also appears as a weapon, translated as fish spears in the description of a formidable beast Job 41:7, and metaphorically as shadowing, alluding to the whirring of wings Isaiah 18:1.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help to frame the contexts in which H6767 is found:

H3658 kinnôwr (harp): Defined as "from a unused root meaning to twang; a harp," this instrument is frequently mentioned alongside cymbals in acts of worship and celebration 2 Samuel 6:5.
H3423 yârash (consume): This root word means "to occupy... by implication, to seize... to expel, to impoverish, to ruin; cast out, consume, destroy...". It describes the action performed by the locust H6767 upon the land Deuteronomy 28:42.
H8643 tᵉrûwʻâh (high sounding): Meaning "clamor, i.e. acclamation of joy or a battle-cry... shout(-ing), (high, joyful) sound(-ing)," this term is used to describe the character of the cymbals in worship Psalms 150:5.

Theological Significance

The theological applications of H6767 are twofold, highlighting themes of both praise and judgment.

Joyful Worship: As cymbals, the word represents the loud, resounding praise due to God. It is part of the full orchestra of worship that David brings before the ark and is commanded in the final Psalm of praise (2 Samuel 6:5, Psalms 150:5).
Divine Judgment: As the locust, the word serves as an agent of God's covenantal curse. Its "whirring" sound becomes a sign of impending agricultural destruction for disobedience Deuteronomy 28:42.
Descriptive Power: The word's use as shadowing (whirring) wings Isaiah 18:1 and as a spear Job 41:7 demonstrates its role in creating powerful, sensory imagery to describe both natural forces and human implements.

Summary

In summary, H6767 is a remarkably versatile word rooted in the concept of a clattering or rattling sound. It can signify the heights of sacred joy as a cymbal in worship or the depths of divine judgment as a consuming locust. Its varied applications, from musical instruments to weapons and insects, illustrate how a single Hebrew term can carry distinct and powerful meanings across the breadth of scripture.

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 noun across 6 occurrences, inflected in 4 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.

צִלְצְלֵי
צִלְצַל
צֶלְצֶלִים
צְּלָצַל

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 5 verses across 5 of the 39 books. 5 books tie for most frequent (1 verse each); never once in the other 34.

Deuteronomy

2 Samuel

Job

Psalms

Isaiah

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.