English · KJV
H6800

צָנַע

tsânaʻ /tsaw-nah'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto humiliate
KJV usagehumbly, lowly.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of tsânaʻ — 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 tsânaʻ, represented by H6800, is a primitive root meaning to humiliate; humbly, lowly. It appears just 2 times across 2 unique verses in scripture. Its usage conveys the concept of being lowly or walking humbly, often in direct contrast to arrogance or pride.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical occurrences, H6800 is used in two key contexts. The prophet Micah presents it as a core requirement from the LORD: to "walk humbly with thy God" Micah 6:8. This connects humility directly to one's relationship and conduct before God. In the book of Proverbs, the term is contrasted with pride, stating that "with the lowly is wisdom" Proverbs 11:2, framing humility as a prerequisite for gaining true understanding.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the meaning and application of humility:

  • H2087 zâdôwn (arrogance; presumptuously, pride, proud (man)): This word serves as a direct contrast to being lowly. Proverbs 11:2 places pride in opposition to humility, stating that when pride comes, shame follows, but wisdom is found with the lowly.
  • H3212 yâlak (to walk): This root describes movement and is paired with H6800 to illustrate humility as an active, ongoing conduct. The LORD requires his people "to walk humbly with thy God" Micah 6:8, framing it as a way of life.
  • H2451 chokmâh (wisdom): This is presented as the outcome of a lowly spirit. While pride leads to shame, the Bible states that "with the lowly is wisdom" Proverbs 11:2.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H6800 is evident in its two appearances:

  • A Core Commandment: Humility is not merely a suggestion but a divine expectation. It is listed alongside doing justly and loving mercy as one of the essential things the LORD requires of humanity Micah 6:8.
  • The Path to Wisdom: The Bible establishes a clear link between a humble disposition and the attainment of wisdom. Proverbs 11:2 contrasts the shame that comes from pride with the wisdom found "with the lowly," presenting humility as a foundational virtue.
  • A Posture Before God: The phrase "walk humbly with thy God" Micah 6:8 defines humility as the proper posture for a relationship with the divine. It implies submission and a correct understanding of one's place before God.

Summary

In summary, H6800 tsânaʻ defines a crucial spiritual quality. Though used infrequently, it powerfully communicates that being lowly or humble is a fundamental requirement for a proper walk with God and a prerequisite for true wisdom. It stands in direct opposition to the destructive nature of pride and is presented as a cornerstone of the character that God desires in his people.

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 and an adjective 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.

  • הַצְנֵעַ
  • צְנוּעִים

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.

H2087 זָדוֹן from זוּד; arrogance; presumptuously, pride, proud (man). H3212 יָלַךְ a primitive root (compare הָלַךְ); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses); [idio H2451 חׇכְמָה from חָכַם; wisdom (in a good sense); skilful, wisdom, wisely, wit.

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 Proverbs and Micah (1 verse each); never once in the other 37.

1
Proverbs
1
Micah

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.