from צוּף; a willow (as growing in overflowed places); willow tree.
Transliteration:tsaphtsâphâh
Pronunciation:tsaf-tsaw-faw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term צַפְצָפָה (tsaphtsâphâh), Strong's number `{{H6851}}`, refers specifically to the "willow tree." Its etymology provides crucial insight into its nature and habitat. The word is derived from the root צוּף (tsuph), Strong's number `{{H6697}}`, which carries the primary meaning "to overflow" or "to float." This etymological connection directly informs the base definition of צַפְצָפָה as a tree that thrives in "overflowed places" or areas characterized by abundant water, such as riverbanks, marshes, or floodplains. The word itself may also be onomatopoeic, possibly mimicking the rustling sound of willow leaves in the wind or the gentle lapping of water. The semantic range of צַפְצָפָה is narrow, singularly denoting this particular species of tree, known for its flexibility, rapid growth, and affinity for water.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term צַפְצָפָה (tsaphtsâphâh) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, found in the book of Ezekiel.
* [[Ezekiel 17:5]]: "He took also some of the seed of the land, and planted it in a fruitful field; he placed it by great waters, and set it as a willow tree."
This verse is part of Ezekiel's intricate riddle concerning two great eagles and a vine, an extended allegory depicting the political machinations involving Babylon, Judah, and Egypt. The "great eagle" represents Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. The "seed of the land" refers to Zedekiah, whom Nebuchadnezzar installed as king over Judah. The imagery of planting this "seed" "by great waters" and setting it "as a willow tree" powerfully illustrates Zedekiah's establishment and his dependence upon Babylonian power and favor for his sustenance and growth. The willow, with its deep roots and thirst for copious water, symbolizes the king's reliance on the source that established him. The subsequent narrative in Ezekiel 17 recounts how the vine (Judah/Zedekiah) turned away from the first eagle (Babylon) and sought help from a second great eagle (Egypt), leading to its uprooting and demise, emphasizing the consequences of breaking the covenant sworn to Babylon, which was divinely ordained.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the root צוּף (tsuph), Strong's number `{{H6697}}`, from which צַפְצָפָה (tsaphtsâphâh) is derived. This root's meaning of "to overflow" or "to float" establishes the essential characteristic of the willow as a water-loving tree.
Other biblical words for trees often carry symbolic weight. While צַפְצָפָה is distinct, it falls into a broader category of flora used metaphorically. For instance, trees are frequently used to symbolize righteous individuals (e.g., [[Psalm 1:3]], [[Jeremiah 17:8]]) or nations (e.g., [[Isaiah 61:3]]). The imagery of "great waters" is also significant. Water in the Bible can symbolize life, blessing, divine presence, but also powerful nations or overwhelming forces (e.g., [[Psalm 93:4]], [[Revelation 17:15]]). The combination of the willow and great waters in [[Ezekiel 17:5]] therefore evokes a sense of dependence and the precarious nature of a kingdom sustained by external, powerful forces.
### Theological Significance
The singular appearance of צַפְצָפָה in [[Ezekiel 17:5]] carries profound theological weight within the context of God's sovereignty over nations and His covenant dealings with Israel. The planting of Zedekiah "as a willow tree" by "great waters" signifies that even the rise of foreign powers and the installation of Judah's kings were under the divine hand. God uses Nebuchadnezzar as His instrument, and the willow's dependence on the "great waters" (Babylonian power) serves as a stark metaphor for Judah's divinely ordained subservience and reliance. When Zedekiah broke his oath to Babylon and sought help from Egypt, it was not merely a political miscalculation but a violation of a divinely sanctioned arrangement, leading to God's judgment and the ultimate destruction of Jerusalem. The willow, with its need for constant sustenance from its source, underscores the principle of reliance and the dire consequences of turning away from the established source of provision, whether that source is a human agent of God's will or God Himself. It speaks to themes of divine providence, national responsibility, and the inevitable outcome of disobedience.
### Summary
The Hebrew word צַפְצָפָה (tsaphtsâphâh), Strong's number `{{H6851}}`, refers exclusively to the "willow tree," a designation rooted in its etymological connection to the concept of "overflowing" water, highlighting its natural habitat. Its sole biblical occurrence in [[Ezekiel 17:5]] employs the willow as a powerful allegorical symbol. In this prophetic riddle, the "willow tree" represents King Zedekiah of Judah, established and sustained by the "great waters" of Babylonian power. This imagery underscores the king's absolute dependence on the foreign power that installed him. Theologically, the passage illuminates God's sovereign control over historical events and nations, emphasizing themes of divine providence, the critical nature of loyalty and dependence, and the severe consequences of covenant-breaking. The willow, thriving only where water is abundant, serves as a poignant reminder of Judah's precarious position and its ultimate downfall due to disloyalty to the divinely appointed order.
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