### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word תִּרְצָה (Tirtsâh), Strong's H8656, is derived from the root רָצָה (ratsah) `{{H7521}}`. This root fundamentally means "to be pleased with," "to accept," "to delight in," or "to be favorable." Therefore, Tirtsah inherently carries the semantic range of "delightsomeness," "pleasantness," "acceptableness," or "favor." It functions in the biblical text as both a proper noun for a geographical location and a personal name for an individual. The meaning of "delightsomeness" directly informs the perception of beauty and desirability associated with the name and the place.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Tirtsah appears in the Hebrew Bible in two distinct contexts:
1. **As a City:**
* Initially, Tirzah is identified as one of the thirty-one Canaanite royal cities conquered by Joshua [[Joshua 12:24]]. This indicates its pre-Israelite significance and strategic location.
* Following the division of the kingdom, Tirzah gained prominence as the first capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel under Jeroboam I and his successors (Nadab, Baasha, Elah, Zimri, Omri) [[1 Kings 14:17]], [[1 Kings 15:21]], [[1 Kings 15:33]], [[1 Kings 16:6]], [[1 Kings 16:8]], [[1 Kings 16:9]], [[1 Kings 16:15]]. Its tenure as capital was marked by significant political instability, coups, and violence, notably Baasha's assassination of Nadab and Zimri's self-immolation within the royal palace. Omri eventually moved the capital to Samaria, indicating Tirzah's decline as a political center.
* Its beauty is famously invoked in the Song of Solomon: "You are beautiful as Tirzah, my love, lovely as Jerusalem" [[Song of Solomon 6:4]]. This poetic comparison underscores the city's aesthetic appeal, linking it with the ideal of beauty, consistent with its name's meaning.
2. **As a Person:**
* Tirzah is one of the five daughters of Zelophehad, of the tribe of Manasseh [[Numbers 26:33]], [[Numbers 27:1]], [[Numbers 36:11]], [[Joshua 17:3]].
* These daughters, including Tirzah, are renowned for their courageous petition to Moses, Eleazar, and the tribal leaders. In the absence of male heirs, they sought to inherit their father's land, challenging existing patriarchal inheritance norms. Their plea was divinely affirmed, establishing a significant legal precedent that allowed daughters to inherit land when there were no sons, provided they married within their own tribal clan [[Numbers 27:6-11]], [[Numbers 36:6-9]].
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of Tirtsah is enriched by examining its linguistic and thematic connections:
* **רָצָה (ratsah) `{{H7521}}`:** The verbal root from which Tirtsah is derived, meaning "to be pleased with," "to accept," or "to delight in." This root is crucial for understanding the inherent meaning of the name.
* **רָצוֹן (ratson) `{{H7522}}`:** A noun also derived from רָצָה, meaning "favor," "goodwill," "delight," or "acceptance." It frequently describes God's favorable disposition towards His people or their offerings.
* **נָעִים (na'im) `{{H5273}}`:** Meaning "pleasant" or "delightful," often used to describe things that are agreeable or harmonious (e.g., [[Psalm 133:1]]).
* **יָפֶה (yafeh) `{{H3303}}`:** The common Hebrew word for "beautiful" or "handsome," directly relating to the description of Tirzah in Song of Solomon.
* **Inheritance Law and Justice:** The narrative of Zelophehad's daughters connects Tirzah to broader biblical themes of justice, land tenure, divine law, and the rights of individuals within the covenant community. Their story highlights the dynamic and just nature of God's law.
### Theological Significance
The name "Tirzah" and its biblical contexts offer several layers of theological significance:
* **The Paradox of Name and Reality:** The city of Tirzah, named "delightsomeness," experienced a history marked by violence, regicide, and political instability. This stark contrast between its pleasant name and its tumultuous reality serves as a powerful theological commentary on the transient and often deceptive nature of earthly beauty and power when divorced from righteousness and divine favor. A place meant for "delight" became a site of destruction.
* **Divine Justice and Compassion:** The story of Tirzah, daughter of Zelophehad, profoundly illustrates God's character as a just and compassionate lawgiver. The divine affirmation of her and her sisters' petition demonstrates God's willingness to adapt and expand legal precedents to ensure fairness and prevent injustice, particularly for the vulnerable. This highlights God's "delight" in justice and His meticulous care for His people's well-being and inheritance.
* **Spiritual vs. Physical Beauty:** The comparison in Song of Solomon [[Song of Solomon 6:4]] between Tirzah and Jerusalem as paradigms of beauty invites reflection on the nature of beauty itself. While Tirzah possessed physical allure, its spiritual and political state was often corrupt. This subtly points towards a deeper theological truth: true and lasting beauty, whether in a person or a city, must encompass not just outward appearance but also inner character, righteousness, and alignment with God's will.
### Summary
The Hebrew word תִּרְצָה (Tirtsâh), Strong's H8656, is rooted in רָצָה (ratsah) `{{H7521}}`, conveying the meaning of "delightsomeness" or "pleasantness." This term is applied in the Bible to both a significant geographical location and an individual. As a city, Tirzah was a Canaanite royal city [[Joshua 12:24]] and later the first capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel [[1 Kings 14:17]]. Despite its name and its description as beautiful in [[Song of Solomon 6:4]], its history as a capital was tumultuous, marked by violence and political instability. As a personal name, Tirzah was one of Zelophehad's daughters [[Numbers 27:1]], whose successful petition for female inheritance rights established a crucial legal precedent, demonstrating God's justice and provision within the Mosaic Law. The theological significance of Tirtsâh lies in the profound tension between its inherent meaning of "delight" and the often-harsh realities it describes, particularly in the city's history. Conversely, the story of Zelophehad's daughter underscores God's delight in justice and His compassionate attention to the rights of His people. The word thus invites reflection on the nature of true beauty, divine favor, and the righteous character of God.
TRV