### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word `{{H8645}}` (תִּרְזָה, transliterated *tirzâh*) refers to a specific species of tree. Its etymology is generally linked to the root `{{H7336}}` (רָזָה, *râzâh*), meaning "to be thin, lean, or slender." This proposed derivation suggests that the tree is characterized by its slender or straight growth habit. While the precise botanical identification remains a subject of scholarly debate, the most widely accepted identification is the cypress (Cupressus sempervirens). The cypress is an evergreen coniferous tree known for its tall, straight, and often conical shape, which aligns well with the proposed meaning of "slenderness." It is a durable wood, often used for construction and carving, and historically associated with solemnity or permanence.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{H8645}}` (תִּרְזָה, *tirzâh*) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the book of Isaiah:
* **[[Isaiah 44:14]]**: "He cuts down cedars for himself, or takes a cypress `{{H8645}}` or an oak, and he strengthens it for himself among the trees of the forest. He plants a pine, and the rain nourishes it."
In this passage, the tirzâh is listed among other trees—`{{H7637}}` (אֶרֶז, *'erez*, cedar) and `{{H4863}}` (אֹרֶן, *'oren*, pine/fir)—that are used by humans. The broader context of [[Isaiah 44:9-20]] is a powerful prophetic indictment against idolatry. The prophet Isaiah vividly describes the process of making an idol: a craftsman selects wood from the forest, part of which is used for fuel to warm himself or bake bread, and the other part is fashioned into a god to be worshipped. The inclusion of the tirzâh highlights that even trees, which are products of God's creation and nourished by His rain, are ironically repurposed by humanity into lifeless objects of worship. The passage underscores the absurdity and spiritual blindness of idolatry, contrasting the living, active God with mute, immobile idols.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the proposed root `{{H7336}}` (רָזָה, *râzâh*), which means "to be thin, lean, or slender." This connection provides insight into the perceived physical characteristics of the tirzâh tree.
Within the context of [[Isaiah 44:14]], `{{H8645}}` is associated with other significant trees:
* `{{H7637}}` (אֶרֶז, *'erez*, cedar): A majestic and highly valued tree, often symbolizing strength, permanence, and royalty.
* `{{H4863}}` (אֹרֶן, *'oren*, pine/fir): Another common timber tree, often used in construction.
More broadly, the tirzâh fits into the biblical concept of "trees" and "wood" as materials. Trees in the Bible can symbolize life, righteousness, and divine blessing (e.g., [[Psalm 1:3]], [[Proverbs 3:18]]), but also serve as raw materials for human endeavors, including the construction of the Tabernacle and Temple, and tragically, the crafting of idols. The use of wood for idols is a recurring motif in prophetic literature, highlighting the futility of worshipping created objects rather than the Creator.
### Theological Significance
The single mention of the tirzâh in [[Isaiah 44:14]] carries profound theological weight within the larger discourse on idolatry.
1. **Divine Provision and Human Misuse**: The passage emphasizes that the tirzâh, like other trees, is "planted" by God and "nourished" by His rain. This highlights God's role as the sovereign Creator and Sustainer of all life. The subsequent human act of cutting down this divinely provided resource and shaping it into an idol represents a profound act of spiritual ingratitude and rebellion. It underscores the human tendency to worship the created rather than the Creator.
2. **Contrast with the Living God**: The tirzâh, as a component of an idol, stands in stark contrast to the living God whom Isaiah proclaims. The idol is lifeless, dependent on human hands for its form, and utterly powerless, whereas Yahweh is active, omnipotent, and the source of all existence. The tirzâh becomes a material symbol of the spiritual blindness that leads people to worship something they themselves have made.
3. **The Folly of Idolatry**: The inclusion of tirzâh in the list of woods for idol-making serves to underscore the utter folly and irrationality of idolatry. The very material that provides warmth or sustenance is also fashioned into a "god." This demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of divine nature and purpose, where the means of sustenance becomes an object of worship, rather than the Sustainer Himself.
### Summary
The Hebrew word `{{H8645}}` (תִּרְזָה, *tirzâh*) refers to a species of tree, most likely the cypress, characterized by its slender growth. Its sole biblical occurrence is in [[Isaiah 44:14]], where it is listed among trees used by a craftsman to create an idol. In this context, the tirzâh serves as a potent symbol of divine provision that is tragically misused by humanity for the purpose of idolatry. Its presence in the passage underscores the sharp theological contrast between the living, active God, who creates and sustains, and the lifeless, powerless idols fashioned by human hands, highlighting the profound spiritual blindness inherent in worshipping the created rather than the Creator.
TRV