תִּרְצָה
Tirtsah, a place in Palestine; also an Israelitess
Definition
Tirtsah is a proper noun with two distinct biblical referents. Primarily, it is the name of a Canaanite city conquered by Joshua (Joshua 12:24) that later became a significant royal city and the first capital of the northern kingdom of Israel (1 Kings 14:17, 15:33). Secondarily, it is the name of one of the five daughters of Zelophehad, whose inheritance case established important legal precedents for women in Israel (Numbers 26:33, 27:1). Both uses carry the connotation of 'delight' or 'pleasantness' from the word's root meaning.
Biblical Usage
The name Tirtsah appears 17 times in the Old Testament. Its usage as a place name dominates, found primarily in the historical books of Joshua, 1 Kings, and 2 Kings, where it functions as a key political and military location (e.g., 1 Kings 15:21, 16:8-9). Its usage as a personal name is confined to the Pentateuch, specifically in the legal narratives of Numbers (26:33, 27:1, 36:11) and Joshua 17:3, which detail the inheritance rights of Zelophehad's daughters.
Etymology
Derived from the Hebrew root רָצָה (ratsah, H7521), meaning 'to be pleased with, to accept favorably.' Tirtsah is a feminine noun form meaning 'pleasantness,' 'delight,' or 'she is pleasing.' This root is also seen in verbs for 'accepting' an offering (e.g., Leviticus 1:4) and nouns for 'favor.' The name inherently carries a positive, desirable quality.
Semantic Range
Tirtsah holds theological significance in two key narratives. First, as the early capital of the northern kingdom, it represents the seat of idolatrous kings like Jeroboam and Baasha, embodying the political and spiritual division from Jerusalem's Davidic line and temple worship. Second, the story of Tirtsah the daughter of Zelophehad showcases God's justice and provision for marginalized individuals (women without male heirs), establishing that God's inheritance promises apply broadly and can lead to new covenantal legislation (Numbers 27:5-7).
As a city, Tirtsah's prominence as Israel's first northern capital (1 Kings 15:33) before Samaria indicates it was a place of considerable beauty and strategic importance, fitting its name 'pleasant.' Its royal associations contrast with its later obscurity, mirroring the rise and fall of the northern kingdom. As a personal name, 'Tirtsah' reflects the common cultural practice of giving children names with positive meanings or expressing a parent's sentiment.
No direct synonyms as a proper name. Conceptually related to: נֹעַם (no'am, H5278) — pleasantness, beauty (often of abstract qualities); חֵן (chen, H2580) — favor, grace (focus on acceptance rather than inherent delight).
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
Full methodology & sources →