apparently by erroneous transcription for צְרֵדָה; Tsererah for Tseredah; Zererath.
Transliteration:Tsᵉrêrâh
Pronunciation:tser-ay-raw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term צְרֵרָה (Tsᵉrêrâh, `{{H6888}}`) is a unique hapax legomenon in the biblical text, meaning it appears only once. Its base definition indicates that it is "apparently by erroneous transcription for צְרֵדָה" (Tseredah, `{{H6866}}`). Therefore, צְרֵרָה does not possess an independent semantic range or etymological root meaning in the conventional sense. Rather, its meaning and significance are derived from its probable identity as a scribal variant of צְרֵדָה (Tseredah), which is a geographical place name. Tseredah itself is a location associated with the tribe of Ephraim, known for its connection to Jeroboam I ([[1 Kings 11:26]]). Thus, the "core meaning" of Tsᵉrêrâh points to a specific geographical location, understood through the lens of textual criticism as a variant of Tseredah.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole occurrence of צְרֵרָה (Tsᵉrêrâh, `{{H6888}}`) is found in [[Judges 7:22]]: "And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the LORD set every man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled to Bethshittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abelmeholah, unto Tabbath."
In this passage, Tsᵉrêrâh (rendered "Zererath" in some English translations) is identified as a geographical location within the Jordan Valley, serving as a point of flight for the Midianite army during Gideon's miraculous victory. The context places it alongside other known locations such as Bethshittah and Abelmeholah.
Crucially, numerous ancient manuscripts and critical editions of the Hebrew Bible, along with ancient versions like the Septuagint (LXX), read צְרֵדָה (Tseredah, `{{H6866}}`) instead of צְרֵרָה (Tsᵉrêrâh, `{{H6888}}`) in this verse. This strong textual evidence supports the conclusion that Tsᵉrêrâh is a scribal error or variant of Tseredah. The similarity in the Hebrew letters — ר (resh) and ד (daleth) — which are easily confused in ancient scripts, provides a plausible explanation for such a transcription error. The context of a place name further solidifies the identification with Tseredah, a known location.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related word to צְרֵרָה (Tsᵉrêrâh, `{{H6888}}`) is צְרֵדָה (Tseredah, `{{H6866}}`). The relationship is not one of semantic derivation but of textual identity, where Tsᵉrêrâh is considered a scribal variant of Tseredah. Tseredah is a significant place name, particularly as the hometown of Jeroboam I ([[1 Kings 11:26]]), indicating its location in the tribal territory of Ephraim.
Beyond this direct lexical link, the study of Tsᵉrêrâh brings into focus several important concepts in biblical scholarship:
* **Textual Criticism:** This instance serves as a prime example of the need for textual criticism in establishing the most probable original reading of the biblical text. Scholars compare various manuscripts and ancient versions to identify and account for scribal errors, omissions, or additions.
* **Scribal Variants:** The slight difference between 'resh' (ר) and 'daleth' (ד) illustrates how similar-looking letters could lead to minor transcription errors, especially in early Hebrew scripts.
* **Biblical Geography:** Despite the textual variant, the mention of Tsᵉrêrâh/Tseredah anchors the narrative to a specific geographical region, providing historical and topographical context to the events of Gideon's battle.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of צְרֵרָה (Tsᵉrêrâh, `{{H6888}}`) is not found in its inherent meaning, as it is a geographical place name and likely a textual variant. Instead, its importance lies in what it reveals about the nature of divine revelation and the transmission of the biblical text.
1. **Divine Preservation Amidst Human Transmission:** The presence of a textual variant like Tsᵉrêrâh underscores that God's word was transmitted through human hands. While divinely inspired in its original form, the process of copying and recopying over centuries involved human scribes, who, though often meticulous, were not infallible. Yet, the existence of such minor variants, which are identifiable through careful textual criticism, demonstrates the providential preservation of the text's core message and integrity. The variant does not alter any theological doctrine or the fundamental narrative of God's deliverance through Gideon.
2. **Affirmation of Textual Criticism:** The ability to identify Tsᵉrêrâh as a probable error for Tseredah highlights the value and necessity of textual criticism. This scholarly discipline, far from undermining faith, serves to strengthen confidence in the Bible by seeking to reconstruct the most accurate possible text based on the available evidence. It assures believers that the God who inspired the Scriptures also oversaw their transmission, allowing for the detection and correction of such minor discrepancies.
3. **Focus on God's Action:** Regardless of the precise spelling of the place name, the narrative in [[Judges 7:22]] remains centered on the Lord's action: "the LORD set every man's sword against his fellow." The specific destination of the fleeing Midianites, while geographically relevant, is secondary to the divine intervention that secured the victory.
### Summary
צְרֵרָה (Tsᵉrêrâh, `{{H6888}}`) is a unique Hebrew term appearing only once in the Bible, in [[Judges 7:22]], where it denotes a geographical location. However, textual critical analysis strongly suggests it is a scribal error or variant of צְרֵדָה (Tseredah, `{{H6866}}`), a known place name in the Jordan Valley. The similarity between the Hebrew letters 'resh' and 'daleth' likely accounts for this transcription difference. The significance of Tsᵉrêrâh thus lies not in its independent meaning, but as a case study in biblical textual criticism. It serves to illustrate the human element in the transmission of the divine text, while simultaneously affirming the remarkable preservation and overall reliability of the biblical record through the diligent work of scribes and subsequent scholarship. The core message of God's providential action in the narrative remains entirely unaffected by this minor textual variant.
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