צֵידָה
food
Definition
צֵידָה (tsêydâh) primarily means 'provision' or 'food for a journey.' It refers to prepared, portable sustenance, often for travel or military campaigns. In Genesis 42:25 and 45:21, it describes the grain and supplies Joseph provided for his brothers' journey back to Canaan. In Exodus 12:39, it specifically denotes the unleavened dough the Israelites hastily prepared as provisions as they fled Egypt. The word can also refer to general supplies or victuals, as seen when the Gibeonites pretend to have come from a far country with worn-out provisions (Joshua 9:11).
Biblical Usage
This noun appears nine times, predominantly in narrative contexts involving travel, preparation, or military action. It is used in Genesis (42:25, 45:21), Exodus (12:39), Joshua (1:11, 9:11), Judges (7:8, 20:10), and 1 Samuel (22:10). A clear pattern is its association with journeys: whether a family trip, a national exodus, or a military march. For example, in Joshua 1:11, the people are commanded to prepare provisions (צֵידָה) for crossing into the Promised Land, and in Judges 7:8, Gideon's reduced army takes the provisions and trumpets of those who were sent home.
Etymology
The word is the feminine form of צַיִד (tsayid, H6718), which means 'hunt' or 'game.' It derives from the root צ-ו-ד (ts-w-d), relating to hunting or catching prey. Thus, צֵידָה originally carried the sense of 'hunted food' or 'game,' but its meaning broadened to encompass any kind of prepared provisions or supplies taken on a journey, moving from the specific (venison) to the general (sustenance).
Semantic Range
This word highlights the theme of God's provision during pivotal journeys of faith and obedience. In Exodus 12:39, the צֵידָה is part of the hurried, faithful departure from Egypt, underscoring God's deliverance and the people's dependence on Him even for their bread. In Joshua 1:11, preparing provisions was an act of faith in God's command to enter the land. Understanding this term enriches reading by connecting physical sustenance to divine guidance and covenantal promises during transitions and missions.
In the ancient Near East, long journeys required careful preparation of non-perishable, portable food. Unlike modern 'snacks,' צֵידָה represented a vital, life-sustaining supply for travel where food sources were uncertain. It often consisted of grain, baked bread, or dried meat. The concept differs from a regular meal; it is sustenance specifically for the road, reflecting a culture where travel was arduous and required forethought for survival.
לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899) — 'bread' or general food; a broader term for sustenance. מַאֲכָל (ma'akhal, H3978) — 'food' or something eaten; a general term for edible items. אוֹכֶל (okhel, H400) — 'food' or nourishment; similar in generality.
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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