צוּד
to lie alongside (i.e. in wait); by implication, to catch an animal (figuratively, men); to victual (for a journey)
Definition
The Hebrew verb צוּד (tsûwd) primarily means 'to hunt' or 'to lie in wait' to capture prey. This core sense is vividly seen in contexts of literal hunting for animals (Genesis 27:3, 5) and figuratively for people, as when hunters or enemies lie in ambush (Psalm 140:11). A significant derived meaning is 'to take provision' or 'to victual,' referring to the act of securing food supplies for a journey, as demonstrated by the Gibeonites in Joshua 9:12. The word can also carry a sense of relentless pursuit, as in Job 10:16, where Job describes God hunting him like a lion.
Biblical Usage
צוּד is used 15 times in the Old Testament, appearing in narrative, legal, poetic, and wisdom literature. Its literal hunting context is prominent in Genesis (27:3, 5, 33) and the legal instruction of Leviticus 17:13 regarding blood from hunted game. The 'provision' sense is specific to Joshua 9:12. In poetic books, it is used metaphorically: for divine pursuit in Job (10:16; 38:39) and for the schemes of the wicked in Psalms (140:11).
Etymology
צוּד is a primitive root verb. It is also considered a denominative verb derived from the noun צַיִד (tsayid, H6718), meaning 'hunt,' 'game,' or 'food provision.' This connection explains the dual semantic range of the verb, encompassing both the act of hunting and the result of securing provisions.
Semantic Range
This word enriches our understanding of God's sovereignty and human interaction with Him. In Job, it portrays God's intense, inescapable scrutiny of a suffering man (Job 10:16), while in Job 38:39, it highlights God's providential care in providing prey for lions. In Psalms, it reveals the predatory nature of evil against the righteous (Psalm 140:11). Thus, צוּד can frame both divine pursuit—whether for correction or care—and the peril faced from enemies.
Hunting was a common means of securing food and materials in the ancient Near East, not merely sport. The act of 'lying in wait' (צוּד) was a standard hunting technique. The derived meaning of 'taking provision' reflects the critical preparation of dried or preserved game (צַיִד) for long journeys, where fresh food was unavailable. This contrasts with modern, recreational hunting.
רָדַף (radaph, H7291) — emphasizes chasing or pursuing, often in hostility, rather than the ambush tactic of צוּד. לָכַד (lakhad, H3920) — means to capture or seize, focusing on the successful result rather than the process of hunting or lying in wait.
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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