from צָעַר; little; Tsoar, a place East of the Jordan; Zoar.
Transliteration:Tsôʻar
Pronunciation:tso'ar
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma צֹעַר (Tsôʻar, `{{H6820}}`) is a proper noun, specifically a place name, derived from the root צָעַר (tsaʻar, `{{H6819}}`), which conveys the meaning "to be small," "to be insignificant," or "to be young." Therefore, the name Tsôʻar itself signifies "little" or "insignificant." This etymological connection is explicitly highlighted in the biblical narrative, where the city's name is directly linked to its perceived smallness, which became the basis for its preservation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Tsôʻar appears eight times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily in the book of Genesis and in prophetic literature.
* **Genesis 14:2, 14:8**: Tsôʻar is identified as one of the five "cities of the plain" (along with Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim) whose kings allied against Chedorlaomer and his confederates. This establishes its initial geopolitical context within the region of the Dead Sea.
* **Genesis 19:20-23**: This is the most significant occurrence. As Sodom is about to be destroyed, Lot pleads with the angels to allow him to escape to this particular city, calling it a "little one" (מִצְעָר - *mits'ar*). His desperate plea, "Is it not a little one, and my soul will live?" ([[Genesis 19:20]]), directly leads to the city being spared. The text explicitly states, "Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar" ([[Genesis 19:22]]), cementing the link between its name and its smallness, and by extension, its preservation. This narrative underscores the city's unique status as the only one of the "cities of the plain" to escape the divine judgment.
* **Deuteronomy 34:3**: Tsôʻar serves as a geographical landmark in the description of the land Moses viewed from Mount Nebo before his death. Moses saw "the Negeb, and the Plain, that is, the Valley of Jericho the city of palm trees, as far as Zoar." This verse places Tsôʻar at the southern end of the Jordan Valley/Dead Sea plain, confirming its historical location.
* **Isaiah 15:5**: In a prophecy concerning the lamentation over Moab, it is stated that "the cry of Heshbon and Elealeh reaches as far as Jahaz; therefore the armed men of Moab cry aloud; their soul trembles for them. My heart cries out for Moab; her fugitives flee to Zoar, to Eglath-shelishiyah." This indicates Tsôʻar's location within or on the border of Moabite territory, serving as a refuge or a significant point from which the lament is heard.
* **Jeremiah 48:34**: Similar to Isaiah, Jeremiah's oracle against Moab mentions Tsôʻar: "From the cry of Heshbon to Elealeh, to Jahaz they utter their voice, from Zoar to Horonaim, to Eglath-shelishiyah; for even the waters of Nimrim are a desolation." Again, Tsôʻar functions as a geographical marker, defining the extent of the lamentation and devastation across Moab.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the root צָעַר (tsaʻar, `{{H6819}}`), meaning "to be small," "to be insignificant," or "to be young." This root is found in various forms throughout the Hebrew Bible, often conveying concepts of humility, lowliness, or a lack of magnitude. The naming of Tsôʻar directly reflects this root meaning.
Concepts related to Tsôʻar include:
* **Divine Mercy and Preservation**: Tsôʻar's survival highlights God's capacity for mercy, even amidst overwhelming judgment. It serves as a testament to His responsiveness to human supplication, even for a "little" thing or an imperfect plea.
* **Distinguishing Justice**: The sparing of Tsôʻar contrasts sharply with the utter destruction of the other cities of the plain, demonstrating the nuanced and discriminating nature of divine justice.
* **Refuge and Borderland**: Its mention in prophetic texts as a place of refuge or a geographical marker suggests its role as a significant, albeit small, point on the map, often at the edge of territories or within regions experiencing turmoil.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of Tsôʻar is profound, primarily stemming from its role in the Lot narrative.
* **God's Responsive Mercy**: Tsôʻar stands as a powerful symbol of God's willingness to show mercy and alter His judgment in response to human intercession. Lot's desperate plea, focused on the city's "littleness," touches upon the divine attribute of compassion, demonstrating that God hears and responds to the cries of His creatures, even when the petitioners are flawed. This foreshadows the broader biblical theme of grace and the possibility of a remnant.
* **Discriminating Judgment**: The preservation of Tsôʻar, while Sodom and Gomorrah are utterly destroyed, underscores the precision and justice of God's judgment. It is not indiscriminate but targets specific sin, while still leaving room for a display of mercy. The "little" city becomes a physical emblem of a spared remnant.
* **Humility and Deliverance**: The name "little" may also carry a subtle theological message: that salvation and deliverance are often found in what is perceived as small or insignificant in human eyes, contrasting with the grand and powerful. Lot's recognition of the city's smallness in the face of divine power is integral to his plea and its success.
* **Sovereignty Over Nations**: Its inclusion in the prophetic laments over Moab (Isaiah and Jeremiah) indicates that Tsôʻar, though spared in Genesis, is still subject to the broader divine judgments affecting all nations. This emphasizes God's comprehensive sovereignty over all lands and peoples, whether in judgment or mercy.
### Summary
Tsôʻar (`{{H6820}}`), meaning "little" or "insignificant," is a city in the southern Jordan Valley/Dead Sea region, uniquely known for being spared from the divine judgment that destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. Its name is directly linked to Lot's plea for its preservation based on its small size ([[Genesis 19:20]], [[Genesis 19:22]]). Mentioned as one of the "cities of the plain" ([[Genesis 14:2]]), Tsôʻar also serves as a geographical landmark from which Moses viewed the Promised Land ([[Deuteronomy 34:3]]) and as a significant point in prophetic laments concerning Moab ([[Isaiah 15:5]], [[Jeremiah 48:34]]). Theologically, Tsôʻar powerfully illustrates God's responsive mercy, His discriminating justice, and the profound truth that divine deliverance can manifest even in what appears "little" or insignificant to human perception. It stands as a perpetual reminder of God's grace amidst judgment and His attentiveness to the pleas of His creation.
TRV