or צׇרְעָתִי; patrial from צׇרְעָה; a Tsorite or Tsorathite, i.e. inhabitants of Tsorah; Zorites, Zareathites, Zorathites.
Transliteration:Tsorʻîy
Pronunciation:tsor-ee'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H6882}}` (Tsorʻîy), sometimes rendered as צׇרְעָתִי (Tsorʻathîy), functions as a gentilic or patrial adjective. Its fundamental meaning identifies an individual as an inhabitant or descendant from the town of Tsorʻah (צׇרְעָה, `{{H6881}}`). The various English transliterations such as "Zorites," "Zareathites," or "Zorathites" all point to this singular geographical origin. The semantic range of `{{H6882}}` is therefore narrow, primarily serving to denote a specific tribal or familial association tied to this particular location within ancient Israel.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{H6882}}` appears in several key passages, predominantly in the book of Judges and the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles.
1. **Judges 13:25**: This verse notes that "the Spirit of the LORD began to stir him [Samson] in Mahaneh-dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol." While not directly using `{{H6882}}`, this passage establishes Tsorʻah as the geographical nexus for Samson's early life and the initial stirring of the Spirit.
2. **Judges 16:31**: Following Samson's death, his family buries him "between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of Manoah his father." This further solidifies Tsorʻah as Samson's ancestral home and place of origin.
3. **Judges 18:2, 8, 11**: These verses describe the Danites sending five men to spy out the land for a new inheritance. These men are explicitly identified as coming "from their clans, from Zorah and Eshtaol." This highlights the significant role of the inhabitants of Tsorʻah and Eshtaol in the migration of a portion of the tribe of Dan northward, seeking new territory due to Philistine pressure in their initial inheritance. The "Zorathites" here are active participants in this historical movement.
4. **1 Chronicles 2:53**: In the detailed genealogies of Judah, the "Zoreathites" (צׇרְעָתִי) are listed among the families of Kirjath-jearim, alongside the Ithrites, Puthites, Shumathites, and Mishraites. This indicates that a distinct family or clan group identified as originating from Tsorʻah had established themselves within the broader tribal structure of Judah, perhaps through intermarriage or proximity.
5. **1 Chronicles 4:2**: This verse further lists "the families of the Zoreathites" (צׇרְעָתִי) in a genealogical context, specifically linking them to Reaiah the son of Shobal. These Chronicler accounts underscore the importance of maintaining tribal and familial identities, even for those whose primary association might be geographical.
Contextually, `{{H6882}}` primarily serves to identify the inhabitants of Tsorʻah, a town located in the Shephelah, historically allotted to the tribe of Dan but often bordering Judah. Its occurrences illuminate aspects of tribal identity, migration patterns, and the ancestral roots of key biblical figures like Samson.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related word is `{{H6881}}` (Tsorʻah), the proper noun for the town itself, from which the gentilic `{{H6882}}` is derived. Other related concepts include:
* **Gentilic/Patrial:** The grammatical category of `{{H6882}}`, denoting origin or belonging to a place.
* **Eshtaol:** A neighboring town often mentioned in conjunction with Tsorʻah, particularly in the accounts of Samson and the Danite migration ([[Judges 13:25]], [[Judges 16:31]], [[Judges 18:2]]).
* **Tribe of Dan:** Tsorʻah was part of Dan's inheritance, and the "Zorathites" represent a segment of this tribe. Their challenges and eventual partial relocation are central to the narratives in Judges.
* **Samson:** The most prominent biblical figure whose life is intimately tied to Tsorʻah, making the "Zorathites" his immediate community.
* **Genealogy:** The use of `{{H6882}}` in Chronicles highlights the meticulous preservation of lineage and tribal affiliation in ancient Israel.
### Theological Significance
While `{{H6882}}` itself is a descriptive term, its theological significance emerges from the narratives and contexts in which it is found.
1. **Divine Election and Providence:** The fact that Samson, a judge raised up by God to deliver Israel, originated from Tsorʻah ([[Judges 13:25]]) underscores God's sovereign choice of individuals from specific, often seemingly ordinary, places to accomplish His redemptive purposes. The "Zorathites" thus represent the community from which a divinely appointed deliverer emerged.
2. **Covenant and Inheritance:** The challenges faced by the "Zorathites" and other Danites in securing their inheritance, leading to their migration ([[Judges 18:2]]), illustrate the real-world difficulties of living out the covenant promises in a fallen world. It highlights the tension between God's promise of the land and the Israelites' often incomplete obedience and the pressures from surrounding peoples.
3. **Identity within the Covenant Community:** The inclusion of "Zoreathites" in the genealogies of 1 Chronicles ([[1 Chronicles 2:53]], [[1 Chronicles 4:2]]) emphasizes the importance of tribal and family identity within the covenant people. These records affirm the continuity of God's covenant with specific lineages and the meticulous care taken to preserve the identity of the tribes of Israel. It speaks to the enduring nature of God's relationship with His people, even as they faced displacement and dispersion.
### Summary
The term `{{H6882}}` (Tsorʻîy) designates an inhabitant of the town of Tsorʻah, a significant location within the inheritance of the tribe of Dan. Its primary biblical occurrences are found in the book of Judges, where it identifies the community from which Samson, a Nazirite judge, originated, and from which a portion of the Danite tribe launched their northward migration. In 1 Chronicles, `{{H6882}}` appears in genealogical lists, underscoring the importance of tribal and familial identity within the covenant community. While a simple geographical descriptor, the contexts of its use reveal profound theological truths concerning divine election, the challenges of living within the covenant, and the enduring significance of Israelite identity in God's redemptive plan.
TRV