צְרִי
Tseri, an Israelite
Definition
Tseri (צְרִי) is a proper noun referring to an individual named in the Old Testament. It is the name of a Levite, one of the sons of Jeduthun, who served as a temple musician during the reign of King David (1 Chronicles 25:3). The name appears only in this single biblical instance. As a personal name, it carries no other distinct meanings or senses in the biblical text beyond identifying this specific individual.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in 1 Chronicles 25:3. It functions strictly as a personal name within a genealogical list of Levitical musicians appointed by David for service in the temple. The context is the organization of the temple worship leadership, specifically the division of the sons of Jeduthun (also called Ethan) by lot for their musical duties.
Etymology
The name Tseri (צְרִי) is derived from the same root as the Hebrew word 'tseri' (H6875), which means 'balsam,' 'balm,' or a kind of aromatic resin. It is likely a shortened or variant form of the name 'Yitsri' (יִצְרִי, H3340), which means 'my former' or 'my fashioner,' and is the name of another Levite in the same chapter (1 Chronicles 25:11). The name may thus be related to concepts of formation or precious ointment.
Semantic Range
While the name itself is not theologically loaded, its appearance underscores the importance of orderly worship and the dedicated roles God established for the Levitical tribes. The meticulous recording of names like Tseri in Chronicles highlights God's care for individuals within His covenant community and the value of every person's contribution to corporate worship. Understanding that even a name mentioned only once is preserved in Scripture can enrich a reader's appreciation for the detail and intentionality of God's word.
In ancient Israelite culture, names often carried meaning, reflecting circumstances of birth, parental hopes, or character traits. Being listed among the temple musicians was a position of honor and sacred duty. The name Tseri, potentially linked to 'balsam,' might have evoked associations with healing, fragrance, or value, though this connection is not explicit in the biblical text.
Yitsri (יִצְרִי, H3340) — Another Levite musician, a son of Asaph, listed in the same chapter (1 Chronicles 25:11), likely from the same root meaning.
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.
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