צֹר
Tsor, a place in Palestine
Definition
In the Hebrew Bible, צֹר (Tsôr) is the proper name for the prominent Phoenician city-state of Tyre, located on the Mediterranean coast. It primarily refers to the powerful island city and its mainland counterpart, known for its maritime trade, wealth, and skilled craftsmen (1 Kings 5:1, 1 Kings 9:11). The name itself means 'rock,' reflecting its formidable island fortress. In some contexts, it can also refer more broadly to the territory or people associated with the city (Isaiah 23:5, Ezekiel 26:2).
Biblical Usage
The word is used 39 times, primarily in historical and prophetic books. It appears in historical narratives describing alliances (2 Samuel 5:11, 1 Kings 5:1), trade (1 Kings 9:11-12), and military campaigns (2 Samuel 24:7). Its most significant usage is in the prophetic oracles, particularly in Isaiah 23, Jeremiah 25:22, Ezekiel 26-28, Joel 3:4, and Amos 1:9-10, where Tyre is often condemned for pride, wealth, and opposition to God's people.
Etymology
The name צֹר (Tsôr) is identical to the common noun צוּר (tsûr, H6697) meaning 'rock' or 'cliff.' It is derived from the root צור (tswr), conveying the sense of being confined, bound, or forming a secure, rocky stronghold. This etymology directly describes the city's famous island fortress. The alternate form צוֹר (Tsôr) is also used.
Semantic Range
Tyre is a major theological symbol in the prophets, representing human pride, self-sufficient wealth, and opposition to God's sovereignty. Its judgment oracles (e.g., Ezekiel 28) highlight themes of divine justice against arrogant nations. In the New Testament, Jesus references Tyre and Sidon (Matthew 11:21-22), contrasting them with unrepentant Israel. Understanding Tyre's role enriches the biblical theme of God's authority over all nations, not just Israel.
In its original context, Tyre was a dominant Phoenician mercantile power, famous for its purple dye, cedar trade, seafaring, and as the mother city of Carthage. Its 'rock' was a nearly impregnable island city. Biblical references to its 'prince' or 'king' (Ezekiel 28:2, 12) and its merchants (Isaiah 23:8) reflect its real-world political and economic stature, which the original audience would have immediately recognized.
צִידוֹן (Tsîydôn, H6721) — Sidon, the other major Phoenician city, often paired with Tyre (e.g., Jeremiah 47:4).
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 →