Psalms 97:3 — Word Study
WLCאֵ֭שׁ לְפָנָ֣יו תֵּלֵ֑ךְ וּתְלַהֵ֖ט סָבִ֣יב צָרָֽיו׃
BSA◂Fireʼêsh [burning, flame] before Himpânîym [in His presence, face to face] and consumeslâhaṭ▸ [burns up, completely destroys] His foestsar [enemies, adversaries] on every sideçâbîyb [around, surrounding Him]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אֵ֭שׁ | fire | Noun common, both singular absolute |
| לְפָנָ֣יו | before him | Preposition, noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| תֵּלֵ֑ךְ | it goes | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person feminine singular |
| וּתְלַהֵ֖ט | and it may burn up | Conjunction, verb piel third person feminine singular |
| סָבִ֣יב | all around | Noun common, both singular absolute |
| צָרָֽיו׃ | opponents his | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Fire goes before Him and consumes His foes on every side. |
| KJV | A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about. |
| ASV | A fire goeth before him, And burneth up his adversaries round about. |
| YLT | Fire before Him goeth, And burneth round about His adversaries. |
| WEB | A fire goes before him, and burns up his adversaries on every side. |
| BBE | Fire goes before him, burning up all those who are against him round about. |
Where they part company is צָרָיו — see How Translations Differ.
The main verb drives the sentence, supported by phrases that specify direction and action, creating a clear depiction of God's power.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectאֵשׁ
verbהלך
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 97:3
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Majesty of Godgenerated
Psalm 97:3 expresses the might of God through the imagery of fire, illustrating how His presence leads to the destruction of His adversaries. The surrounding verses emphasize God's righteousness and justice, reinforcing the theme of divine authority and power. This psalm serves as a reminder of God's protective nature towards His followers while simultaneously executing judgment on those who oppose Him.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 18:8 | Smoke rose from His nostrils, and consuming fire came from His mouth; glowing coals blazed forth. |
| 2 | Psalm 21:8–9 | Your hand will apprehend all Your enemies; Your right hand will seize those who hate You. |
| 3 | Psalm 50:3 | Our God approaches and will not be silent! Consuming fire precedes Him, and a tempest rages around Him. |
| 4 | Deuteronomy 4:11–36 | You came near and stood at the base of the mountain, a mountain blazing with fire to the heavens, with black clouds and deep darkness. |
| 5 | Deuteronomy 5:4–23 | The LORD spoke with you face to face out of the fire on the mountain. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 15 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — אֵשׁ, 'eshgenerated
The word אֵשׁ ('esh) means 'fire' and covers various types, including natural fire and supernatural fire associated with divine appearances. It is a powerful symbol in the Bible, representing both God's anger and His refining presence. The parsing indicates it is a common noun in singular form, emphasizing its significance in this context.
Fire is often used in biblical narratives to signify God's presence and action, as seen in passages like Deuteronomy 4:24 and Malachi 3:2-3. The lexicons highlight its literal and metaphorical uses, consistently underscoring its role in conveying divine judgment and purification.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb תֵּלֵךְ (it goes) governs the structure of the verse, with two phrases attached: a prepositional phrase indicating the direction of the fire and a participial phrase describing the action of burning up. This structure emphasizes the action of fire in relation to God's presence.
The word order places the subject, אֵשׁ (fire), at the beginning, highlighting its significance as the driving force of the verse. The subsequent verbs and phrases expand on the effects of this fire, creating a vivid image of divine judgment.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates אֵשׁ as πῦρ (pur), which also means 'fire.' This choice aligns with the Hebrew meaning, maintaining the imagery of divine presence and judgment.
The use of πῦρ in the Septuagint continues the theme of fire as a symbol of God's power, reinforcing the connection between the Hebrew text and its Greek interpretation.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 97:3 describes how God's fire goes before Him, consuming His enemies all around. This imagery emphasizes God's power and judgment, showing that He protects His people while dealing with those who oppose Him.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The fire symbolizes God's presence and power, illustrating His ability to consume and judge His adversaries.
It highlights God's righteousness and justice, showing that He defends His people while punishing those who oppose Him.
We can understand the seriousness of opposing God and the assurance that He will protect His followers.
Fire represents both God's holiness and His ability to purify, as seen in various biblical accounts.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I seen God's protection in my life?
- How can I better understand the seriousness of opposing God?
- What does it mean for me to be in God's presence, as described in this verse?
- How can I reflect God's justice and righteousness in my interactions with others?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early commentators reference this verse to discuss God's judgment and power. Quotations from Jerome and Augustine illustrate their interpretations of the fire that consumes God's enemies.
[Daniel 7:9] "I beheld until thrones were set up, and the Ancient of days took His seat. His garment was as white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 97 →
"There shall go a fire before Him, and burn up His enemies on every side" [Psalms 97:3].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 97 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 97:3 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleA fire goeth before him, c,] Not the fiery law, which went forth from his right hand on Mount Sinai but rather his Gospel, which, as it enlightens, warms, comforts, and refreshes his people,
Read John Gill on Psalms 97 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryA fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about. A fire goeth before him; and burneth up his enemies round about - (Psalms 18:8; Psalms 18:12.)
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 97 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThis fire, and lightning, and earthquake, and the sad effects of them, mentioned here, and ,5, signify those dreadful judgments of God which should be inflicted upon the Jews and others for their refusal and contempt of the Messias; which was foretold in the Old Testament, and accomplished in the New Testament.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 97 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 97:3 A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.Ver. 3. A fire goeth before him] For even our God is a consuming fire, Hebrews 12:29 (and not the God of the Jews only), as shall well appear at the last day, 2 Thessalonians 1:8.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 97 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(3) This is an echo of Psa 1:3. (Comp. also Psalms 18:8; Habakkuk 3:4-5.)
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 97 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 3. A fire goeth before him] Literally, this and the following verse may refer to the electric fluid, or to manifestations of the Divine displeasure, in which, by means of ethereal fire, God consumed his enemies. But fire is generally represented as an accompaniment of the appearances of the Supreme Being. He appeared on Mount Sinai in the midst of fire, thunder, and lightnings, Exodus 19:16-18. Daniel, Daniel 7:9; Daniel 7:10, represents the Sovereign Judge as being on a throne which was a fiery flame, and the wheels of his chariot like burning fire; and a fiery stream issuing from it, and coming forth from before him. St. Paul tells us (2 Thessalonians 1:8) that the Lord Jesus shall…
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 97 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges1–3. The proclamation of Jehovah’s kingdom of power and righteousness.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 97 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleA fire goeth before him - See Psalms 18:13, note; Psalms 50:3, note. And burneth up his enemies round about - Is especially directed against his foes.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 97 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Fire goes before Him and consumes His foes on every side.
A fire goes before him, and burns up his adversaries on every side.
Fire goes before Him and consumes His foes on every side.
Fire goes before him; on every side it burns up his enemies.
Tyndale line
A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.
A fire goeth before him, And burneth up his adversaries round about.
A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his adversaries round about.
A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.
There shall goe a fire before him, and burne vp his enemies round about.
Strictly literal
A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his adversaries round about.
Fire before Him goeth, And burneth round about His adversaries.
Fire goes before Him, || And burns around His adversaries.
A fire goeth before him, and burneth up round about his adversaries.
Fire goes before him and consumes his adversaries on every side.
From the Latin
He hath remembered his mercy his truth toward the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
Simplified
Flames proceed him, burning up his enemies on every side.
Fire goes before him, burning up all those who are against him round about.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree closely, with all six words matched. This alignment suggests a consistent understanding of the verse's meaning across these ancient texts.
אֵ֭שׁ לְפָנָ֣יו תֵּלֵ֑ךְ וּתְלַהֵ֖ט סָבִ֣יב צָרָֽיו׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 97:3
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
אֵשׁ (esh) means 'fire' and encompasses various types, including natural fire, supernatural fire associated with divine appearances, and fire used for cooking or on altars. It can also figuratively represent God's anger. The entries consistently highlight its literal and metaphorical uses, with no significant disagreement among lexicons.
אֵשׁ 377 n.f. fire
fire, of conflagration
of supernatural fire
fire for cooking, roasting, parching
esp. of altar fire
fig. of Yahweh's anger
in various combinations
base
H784 אֵשׁ fire . fire, of conflagration
. of supernatural fire
. fire for cooking, roasting, parching
. esp. of altar fire
. fig. of Yahweh's anger
. in various combinations
784 'esh aysh
a primitive word; fire (literally or figuratively):--
burning, fiery, fire, flaming, hot.
אֵשׁ (esh) — fire.
1) fire
1a) fire, flames
1b) supernatural fire (accompanying theophany)
1c) fire (for cooking, roasting, parching)
1d) altar-fire
1e) God's anger (fig.)
Aramaic equivalent: esh (אֶשָּׁא "fire" H0785)
N-cs — Noun common · both singular absoluteHNcbsa
fir ('esh; pur):
These are the common words for fire, occurring very frequently. 'Ur, "light" (Isa 24:15 the King James Version; compare the Revised Version (British and American); Isa 31:9, and see FIRES), nur (Aramaic) (Da 3:22 ff) are found a few times, also 'eshshah (Jer 6:29), and be`erah (Ex 22:6), once each. Ac 28:2,3 has pura, "pyre," and Mr 14:54; Lu 22:56, phos, "light," the Revised Version (British and American) "in the light (of the fire)." "To set…
Fire
(1.) For sacred purposes. The sacrifices were consumed by fire (Gen. 8:20). The ever-burning fire on the altar was first kindled from heaven (Lev. 6:9, 13; 9:24), and afterwards rekindled at the dedication of Solomon’s temple (2 Chr. 7:1, 3). The expressions “fire from heaven” and “fire of the Lord” generally denote lightning, but sometimes also the fire of the altar was so called (Ex. 29:18; Lev. 1:9; 2:3; 3:5, 9).
Fire for a sacred purpose obtained otherwise than from the altar was called “strange fire” (Lev. 10:1, 2;
is represented as the symbol of Jehovah’s presence and the instrument of his power, in the way either of approval or of destruction. (Exodus 3:2; 14:19) etc. There could not be a better symbol for Jehovah than this of fire, it being immaterial, mysterious, but visible, warming, cheering, comforting, but also terrible and consuming. Parallel with this application of fire and with its symbolical meaning are to be noted the similar use for sacrificial purposes and the respect paid to it, or to the heavenly bodies as symbols of deity, which prevailed among so many nations of antiquity, and of which the traces are not even now extinct; e.g. the Sabean and Magian systems of worship. (Isaiah 27:9) Fire for sacred purposes obtained elsewhere than from the altar was called "strange fire," and for the use of such Nadab and Abihu were punished…
In Scripture, is often connected with the presence of Jehovah; as in the burning bush, and on Mount Sinai, Ex 3:2 19:18 Ps 18:1-50 Hab 1:1-3:19. The second coming of Christ will be "in flaming fire," 2Th 1:8. In the New Testament it illustrates the enlightening, cheering, and purifying agency of the Holy Spirit, Mt 3:11 Ac 2:3. By sending fire from heaven to consume sacrifices, God often signified his acceptance of them: as in the case of Abel, Ge 4:4; Abraham, Ge…
The Hebrew word פָּנֶה (*pāneh*) is a noun meaning 'face' or 'presence,' and it appears in various contexts, including the faces of seraphim and animals, as well as the surface of the ground. It can also function as an adverb meaning 'before' or 'in front of.' The word is built from a root that suggests turning or facing, and it encompasses a wide range of applications, both literal and figurative.
[פָּנֶה], pl. פָּנִים 2123 n.m. face, also faces
face, faces
presence, person
technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence
face of seraphim
face of animals
face (= surface) of ground
as adv.loc. before
for other phrases
with prepositions
base
H6440 פָּנֶה, pl. פָּנִים face, also faces . . face, faces
. . presence, person
. technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence
. face of seraphim
. face of animals
. face (= surface) of ground
. as adv. loc. before
. for other phrases
. with prepositions
6440 paniym paw-neem'
plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun (paneh
{paw-neh'}; from 6437); the face (as the part that turns);
used in a great variety of applications (literally and
figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a
preposition (before, etc.):--+ accept, a-(be- )fore(-time),
against, anger, X as (long as), at, + battle, + because (of),
+ beseech, countenance, edge, + employ, endure, + enquire,
face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er
time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, X him(-self), +
honourable, + impudent, + in, it, look(-eth) (- s), X me, +
meet, X more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), X on,
open, + out of, over against, the partial, person, + please,
presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, + regard, right
forth, + serve, X shewbread, sight, state, straight, + street,
X thee, X them(-selves), through (+ - out), till, time(-s)
פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face: before.
: before/to/front
1) face
1a) face, faces
1b) presence, person
1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)
1d) face (of animals)
1e) face, surface (of ground)
1f) as adv of loc/temp
1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before
1g) with prep
1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face.
: face
1) face
1a) face, faces
1b) presence, person
1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)
1d) face (of animals)
1e) face, surface (of ground)
1f) as adv of loc/temp
1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before
1g) with prep
1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from…
Prep | N-cp | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHR/Ncmpc/Sp3ms
הָלַךְ (halak) means 'to go,' 'come,' or 'walk,' and covers a wide range of literal and figurative uses, including aspects of life and death. It can describe physical movement, moral conduct, and even influence on character. The verb appears in various forms, such as Qal, Piel, and Hithpael, indicating different nuances like leading or traversing.
הָלַךְ 1546 vb. go, come, walk
Qal Impf. usually (629 t.) as if from ילך
lit.
of persons
Also of animals, in similar meanings and combinations
in like manner of inanimate things
The inf. abs. is often used
as in other vbs., quite independently
to intensify meaning of finite form
most noteworthy is the joining of the Inf. abs.
with a following Inf. abs. denoting a simutaneous action or process, and so emphasizing duration or continuance
with a foll. vb. fin. c. ו consec. (rare)
in cases where vb. fin. is foll. by Inf. abs. adj. denoting progress, advance
twice, where vb. fin. is not הלך, but another vb. denoting motion
quite by itself
13 t. the Inf. abs. = Imv. & is followed by Pf. consec.
akin to the use of Inf. abs. are some instances of Pt.
In combination with other verbal forms
Fig.; the most common uses follow; in most the origin in a literal meaning is evident:
pass away, die
H1980 הָלַךְ go, come, walk .Impf. usually (629 t.) as if from ילך . lit. . of persons
. Also of animals, in similar meanings and combinations
. in like manner of inanimate things
. The inf. abs. is often used . as in other vbs., quite independently
. to intensify meaning of finite form
. most noteworthy is the joining of the Inf. abs. . with a following Inf. abs. denoting a simutaneous action or process, and so emphasizing duration or continuance
. with a foll. vb. fin. c. ו consec. (rare)
. in cases where vb. fin. is foll. by Inf. abs. + adj. denoting progress, advance
. twice, where vb. fin. is not הלך, but another vb. denoting motion
. quite by itself
. 13 t. the Inf. abs. = Imv. & is followed by Pf. consec.
. akin to the use of Inf. abs. are some instances of Pt.
. In combination with other verbal forms
1980 halak haw-lak'
akin to 3212; a primitive root; to walk (in a great variety
of applications, literally and figuratively):--(all) along,
apace, behave (self), come, (on) continually, be conversant,
depart, + be eased, enter, exercise (self), + follow, forth,
forward, get, go (about, abroad, along, away, forward, on,
out, up and down), + greater, grow, be wont to haunt, lead,
march, X more and more, move (self), needs, on, pass (away),
be at the point, quite, run (along), + send, speedily, spread,
still, surely, + tale-bearer, + travel(-ler), walk (abroad,
on, to and fro, up and down, to places), wander, wax,
(way-)faring man, X be weak, whirl.
see HEBREW for 03212
הָלַךְ (ha.lakh) — to go: went.
: went/go[away]
1) to go, walk, come
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away
1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.)
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to walk
1b2) to walk (fig.)
1c) (Hithpael)
1c1) to traverse
1c2) to walk about
1d) (Niphal) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
הָלַךְ (ha.lakh) — to go: come.
: come[nearer]
1) to go, walk, come
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away
1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.)
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to walk
1b2) to walk (fig.)
1c) (Hithpael)
1c1) to traverse
1c2) to walk about
1d) (Niphal) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
הָלַךְ (ha.lakh) — to go: walk.
: walk/move
1) to go, walk, come
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away
1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.)
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to walk
1b2) to walk (fig.)
1c) (Hithpael)
1c1) to traverse
HVqi3fs — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person feminine singularHVqi3fs
לָהַט (lahat) is a Hebrew verb meaning to blaze or kindle. It encompasses actions like burning, scorching, and setting on fire, with forms indicating both a participle and a causative aspect. The entries consistently describe its fiery connotations without notable disagreement.
[לָהַט] vb. blaze up, flame
Qal a flaming fire
Pi. set ablaze
base
H3857 [לָהַט] blaze up, flame
3857 lahat law-hat'
a primitive root; properly, to lick, i.e. (by implication) to
blaze:--burn (up), set on fire, flaming, kindle.
לָהַט (la.hat) — to kindle.
1) to burn, blaze, scorch, kindle, blaze up, flame
1a) (Qal) blazing (participle)
1b)(Piel) to scorch, burn, blaze
Conj | V-Piel-Imperf-3fs — Conjunction · verb piel third person feminine singularHC/Vpu3fs
סָבִיב (cabiyb) primarily means 'around' and is used as a noun, adverb, and preposition. It denotes a circle, neighbors, or the surrounding area, often implying a sense of being on every side or in a circuit. The entries consistently emphasize its usage in contexts of proximity and encirclement.
סָבִיב 336 subst., used mostly as adv. and prep., circuit, round about
base
H5439 סָבִיב subst., used mostly as adv. and prep., circuit, round about
5439 cabiyb saw-beeb'
or (feminine) cbiybah {seb-ee-baw'}; from 5437; (as noun) a
circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with
or without preposition) around:--(place, round) about,
circuit, compass, on every side.
see HEBREW for 05437
סָבִיב (sa.viv) — around.
: around/border
subst
1) places round about, circuit, round about
adv
2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about
prep
3) in the circuit, from every side
סָבִיב (sa.viv) — around: side.
: side
subst
1) places round about, circuit, round about
adv
2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about
prep
3) in the circuit, from every side
סָבִיב (sa.viv) — around: whole.
: whole
subst
1) places round about, circuit, round about
adv
2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about
prep
3) in the circuit, from every side
סָבִיב (sa.viv) — around: neighours.
: neighours
subst
1) places round about, circuit, round about
adv
2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about
prep
3) in the circuit, from every side
N-cs — Noun common · both singular absoluteHNcbsa
The Hebrew word צַר (tsar) is built from the root meaning 'narrow' or 'tight.' It encompasses a range of meanings including 'distress,' 'adversary,' and 'hard pebble' or 'flint.' The term can refer to physical tightness or metaphorical trouble, as well as an enemy or foe. It appears in contexts of anguish and tribulation, with a specific verse reference in Isaiah 5:28.
צַר adj. narrow, tight
base
צַר n.[m.] straits, distress
base
צַר 68 n.m. adversary, foe
base
צַר n.[m.] hard pebble, flint;—Is 5:28
ref
H6862a צַר narrow, tight H6862b צַר straits, distress H6862c צַר adversary, foe H6862d צַר hard pebble, flint
6862 tsar tsar
or tsar {tsawr}; from 6887; narrow; (as a noun) a tight place
(usually figuratively, i.e. trouble); also a pebble (as in
6864); (transitive) an opponent (as crowding):--adversary,
afflicted(-tion), anguish, close, distress, enemy, flint, foe,
narrow, small, sorrow, strait, tribulation, trouble.
see HEBREW for 06887
see HEBREW for 06864
צַר (tsar) — narrow.
narrow, tight
צַר (tsar) — distress.
straits, distress
צַר (tsar) — enemy.
adversary, foe, enemy, oppressor
צַר (tsar) — hard.
hard pebble, flint
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp3ms
