from an unused root meaning to bestrew with carvings; sculpture; image (work).
Transliteration:tsaʻtsuaʻ
Pronunciation:tsah-tsoo'-ah
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word tsaʻtsuaʻ (`{{H6816}}`) is a noun derived from an unused root that conveys the sense "to bestrew with carvings." This etymology suggests an act of detailed or pervasive engraving and shaping. Consequently, tsaʻtsuaʻ refers to the *product* of such activity: a "sculpture," "carving," or "image." The term emphasizes a crafted, three-dimensional, or deeply etched representation, rather than a mere flat drawing. It implies something that has been meticulously fashioned or depicted with significant detail.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word tsaʻtsuaʻ (`{{H6816}}`) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, making its sole context profoundly significant for understanding its meaning and theological weight.
* **[[Ezekiel 8:10]]**: "So I went in and saw; and behold every form of creeping things, and abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, portrayed upon the wall round about."
In this prophetic vision, Ezekiel is transported to the Jerusalem Temple and shown the profound abominations being committed there. The tsaʻtsuaʻ are described as "portrayed" or "carved" (often translated as "carvings" or "sculptures") upon the walls of the inner chambers. These images are explicitly identified as "creeping things, and abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel." The context is one of severe idolatry and defilement within the very sanctuary of God. The presence of these tsaʻtsuaʻ signifies a deep-seated spiritual rebellion, where the people have introduced foreign and detestable objects of worship into the holy space, provoking divine wrath. The term highlights the tangible and visual nature of this idolatrous worship, emphasizing that these were not abstract ideas but concrete, crafted representations.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding tsaʻtsuaʻ is enhanced by considering related Hebrew terms for idols and crafted images:
* `{{H6459}}` (pesel): A "graven image," often carved from wood or stone.
* `{{H4577}}` (massekah): A "molten image," typically cast from metal.
* `{{H6090}}` (ʻatsab): An "idol" or "image," often associated with the pain or grief it causes its worshippers or God.
* `{{H8403}}` (těmûnâ): A "likeness" or "similitude," which can refer to a divine or human form, and is often forbidden in the context of idol worship (e.g., [[Deuteronomy 4:16]]).
* `{{H6605}}` (pāsal): The verb "to hew" or "to carve," from which pesel is derived, indicating the act of creating such images.
* `{{H2796}}` (ḥārash): A general term for "to engrave" or "to fashion," often used for skilled craftsmanship, including the making of idols.
The common thread among these terms and tsaʻtsuaʻ is the human act of creating a physical representation, often for illicit worship, thereby replacing the invisible God with a visible, man-made object.
### Theological Significance
The singular occurrence of tsaʻtsuaʻ in [[Ezekiel 8:10]] carries immense theological weight. Its placement within a vision of the Temple's defilement underscores the gravity of idolatry in the sight of God. The "carvings" are not merely artistic expressions but objects of worship that represent a profound breach of the covenant, specifically the second commandment against making "any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth" ([[Exodus 20:4]], [[Deuteronomy 5:8]]).
The tsaʻtsuaʻ in Ezekiel's vision are explicitly called "abominations" (תּוֹעֵבָה, `{{H8441}}`), a term frequently used to describe practices utterly detestable to God, particularly those related to pagan worship and moral corruption. The fact that these images were "portrayed upon the wall round about" suggests a pervasive and institutionalized idolatry, deeply embedded within the religious life of the people, even within the sacred precincts. This act of bringing tsaʻtsuaʻ into the Temple was a direct affront to Yahweh's holiness and exclusive claim to Israel's worship, leading to the withdrawal of His glory and the subsequent judgment upon Jerusalem. Thus, tsaʻtsuaʻ symbolizes the tangible manifestation of spiritual apostasy and the human inclination to replace the true God with crafted representations, leading to defilement and divine judgment.
### Summary
The Hebrew word tsaʻtsuaʻ (`{{H6816}}`), meaning "sculpture" or "image," is derived from a root suggesting intricate carving. Its sole biblical appearance in [[Ezekiel 8:10]] is highly illustrative, where it describes the detestable "carvings" or "portrayals" of idolatrous figures on the walls of the Jerusalem Temple. In this context, tsaʻtsuaʻ is not merely an artistic term but a powerful symbol of profound spiritual defilement and covenant unfaithfulness. It highlights the tangible, man-made nature of the idols that provoked God's wrath, representing a direct transgression of the second commandment. The presence of these tsaʻtsuaʻ within the sacred space underscored the depth of Israel's apostasy, ultimately leading to divine judgment and the abandonment of the Temple by God's glory.
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