### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The primitive root צָרַב (tsârab), `{{H6866}}`, carries the fundamental meaning "to burn" or "to scorch." As a primitive root, its semantic range is quite narrow and direct, primarily denoting the action or state of being consumed or affected by intense heat. It emphasizes the searing quality of the burn, suggesting a rapid and often painful impact that leaves a mark or disfigurement. Unlike some other Hebrew verbs for burning that might imply a slow consumption or general conflagration, צָרַב (tsârab) points to a more immediate and severe application of heat, often with visible, lasting consequences.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The root צָרַב (tsârab), `{{H6866}}`, appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the book of Ezekiel. Its singular usage is highly impactful:
* **[[Ezekiel 20:47]] (MT 21:3):** "and will say to the forest of the Negeb, 'Hear the word of the Lord: Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will kindle a fire in you, and it shall devour every green tree in you and every dry tree; the blazing flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be **scorched** by it.'"
In this powerful prophetic oracle, God declares His intention to bring a devastating judgment upon Israel, symbolized as a forest fire in the Negeb that consumes both the righteous and the wicked. The Hiphil passive participle *niṣrāb* (נִצְרָב), derived from צָרַב (tsârab), is used to describe the effect of this divine fire: "all faces... shall be scorched by it." This vivid imagery portrays the widespread, inescapable, and painful impact of God's judgment. The "scorching" implies a visible and disfiguring effect, emphasizing the severity and the indelible mark left by divine wrath. It is not merely destruction, but a searing, painful experience that affects everyone.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of "burning" is multifaceted in the Hebrew Bible, expressed through a variety of roots, each with distinct nuances. While צָרַב (tsârab), `{{H6866}}`, specifically denotes a searing or scorching burn with lasting effects, other related terms include:
* **שָׂרַף (sāraph)**, `{{H8313}}`: A very common verb for burning, often implying complete consumption by fire, as in sacrifices, burning cities, or disposing of refuse.
* **בָּעַר (bāʿar)**, `{{H1197}}`: To burn, kindle, or consume, often referring to a fire that is lit or rages, such as a burning bush or a lamp.
* **יָקַד (yāqad)**, `{{H3344}}`: To burn or blaze, emphasizing the active flame or glowing embers.
* **לָהַט (lāhaṭ)**, `{{H3857}}`: To blaze or flame, often referring to a consuming fire or a sword.
These terms collectively contribute to a rich tapestry of fire imagery in biblical thought, encompassing divine presence, destructive judgment, purification, and sacrifice. צָרַב (tsârab) stands out for its specific emphasis on the *resultant effect* of the burn—the scorching and the indelible mark—rather than merely the act of burning itself.
### Theological Significance
The singular yet potent usage of צָרַב (tsârab), `{{H6866}}`, in [[Ezekiel 20:47]] carries profound theological weight, primarily within the context of divine judgment.
1. **Divine Judgment as a Searing Reality:** The "scorching" of faces vividly portrays God's judgment not as an abstract concept, but as a tangible, painful, and inescapable reality. It underscores the severity of divine wrath against sin.
2. **Inescapability and Universality:** The imagery of "all faces... from the south to the north" being scorched highlights the comprehensive and unavoidable nature of God's righteous anger. No one is exempt from its reach when it is unleashed.
3. **Visible and Lasting Consequences of Sin:** The act of being "scorched" implies a lasting disfigurement or mark, serving as a powerful metaphor for the enduring and painful consequences of rebellion against God. It speaks to the spiritual and physical toll that divine discipline exacts, leaving an indelible impact.
4. **God's Sovereignty in Judgment:** God is depicted as the one who kindles this fire and orchestrates its effects, demonstrating His absolute control over judgment and its implementation.
Thus, while rare, צָרַב (tsârab) significantly contributes to the biblical lexicon of divine judgment, emphasizing its searing intensity and the indelible mark it leaves upon those who experience it.
### Summary
The Hebrew root צָרַב (tsârab), `{{H6866}}`, is a primitive root meaning "to burn" or "to scorch." Its sole occurrence in the Hebrew Bible, as a Hiphil passive participle *niṣrāb* in [[Ezekiel 20:47]], powerfully describes the effect of divine judgment. In this context, "all faces... shall be scorched by it," referring to the inescapable and painful impact of God's unquenchable fire of wrath upon Israel. This word highlights the severe, visible, and enduring consequences of divine judgment, emphasizing its searing intensity and the indelible mark it leaves. Though rare, צָרַב (tsârab) provides a vivid and poignant descriptor of the destructive and transformative power of God's holy anger, distinguishing itself from other terms for burning by focusing on the resultant mark or disfigurement.
TRV