The Hebrew word tsânam, represented by H6798, is a primitive root meaning to blast or shrink. It is a highly specific term, appearing only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entire Bible, where it is translated as withered. Its singular use emphasizes a state of being dried up and shrunken.
The sole appearance of H6798 is in the account of Pharaoh's dream in Genesis. In this narrative, Pharaoh recounts seeing "seven ears, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them" Genesis 41:23. The word is part of a cluster of terms used to paint a vivid picture of agricultural failure and impending famine, standing in stark contrast to the healthy ears of grain that preceded them.
Several related words from its context illuminate the meaning of H6798:
- H1851 daq (small or thin): This word appears alongside H6798 to describe the same shrunken ears of grain in Pharaoh's dream, emphasizing their lack of substance and fullness Genesis 41:23.
- H7710 shâdaph (to scorch; blast): Used in direct conjunction with H6798, this term amplifies the idea of destruction by heat or wind. The ears are not just withered but also blasted Genesis 41:23.
- H6921 qâdîym (east wind): This word identifies the destructive force that caused the ears to become withered. The hot, dry east wind was known for its power to scorch vegetation Genesis 41:23, a theme also seen when it is said to have "dried up her fruit" and "withered" her rods Ezekiel 19:12.
- H7641 shibbôl (ear of grain): This is the object described as withered. It represents the produce of the land and is central to the imagery of both abundance and famine in the dream Genesis 41:26.
The thematic weight of H6798 is tied entirely to its singular, impactful context in Genesis.
- Symbol of Coming Famine: The primary significance of H6798 is its role as a symbol in Pharaoh's prophetic dream. The withered ears directly represent the "seven years of famine" that will strike the land, serving as a divine warning Genesis 41:27.
- A Picture of Blight and Scarcity: Paired with words like thin H1851 and blasted H7710, tsânam paints a vivid picture of agricultural blight. It stands in direct opposition to the healthy ears, illustrating the contrast between God-given abundance and God-ordained scarcity Genesis 41:23.
- Result of a Destructive Force: The withering is explicitly attributed to the east wind H6921, a natural force often depicted in scripture as an instrument of divine action. This connects the state of being withered not to a random event, but to a powerful, directed force Genesis 41:23.
In summary, tsânam H6798 is a specific and rare term whose entire meaning in scripture is drawn from a single, powerful image. Appearing only once, it functions as a key descriptor in Pharaoh's dream, defining the withered state of grain that symbolizes impending famine. It works with other terms to create an unforgettable picture of blight and serves as a reminder of how a single word, within a specific narrative context, can carry significant prophetic weight Genesis 41:23.
TRV