חָצִיר

חָצִיר

grass; also a leek (collectively)

Definition

The Hebrew word חָצִיר primarily refers to 'grass' or 'herbage'—the green, tender vegetation that sprouts from the ground, often used as fodder for livestock (1 Kings 18:5, Job 40:15). In a broader collective sense, it can denote 'hay,' the dried grass harvested for later use. Notably, in Numbers 11:5, it is used specifically for 'leeks,' one of the vegetables the Israelites longed for from Egypt, showing its application to cultivated garden herbs. Across its uses, the word consistently evokes imagery of temporary, flourishing plant life that is vulnerable and short-lived.

Biblical Usage

חָצִיר appears 20 times, predominantly in poetic and prophetic books (Psalms, Job, Isaiah) to symbolize transience and fragility, as in Psalm 90:5-6 and Psalm 103:15, where human life is compared to grass that withers. In narrative contexts, it describes literal vegetation for animals (1 Kings 18:5) or, uniquely, the leek as a food item (Numbers 11:5). Its usage patterns highlight a contrast between the mundane (fodder, food) and the metaphorical (human mortality, divine judgment in Isaiah 37:27).

Etymology

Derived from the root חָצַר (H2690), meaning 'to enclose' or 'courtyard,' חָצִיר likely originated from the idea of 'greenness within an enclosure,' perhaps referring to courtyard grass or garden plants. It is possibly related to H2681 (חָצִיר), a proper name, sharing a connection to verdancy. The semantic development moved from a specific, cultivated green space to general grass and herbage.

Semantic Range

חָצִיר is theologically significant as a powerful metaphor for human mortality and divine sovereignty. In passages like Psalm 37:2 and Isaiah 40:6-8, grass symbolizes the fleeting nature of human life and the wicked's temporary prosperity, contrasted with God's eternal word and faithfulness. This imagery deepens understanding of humility, dependence on God, and the hope found in His permanence amidst life's fragility. In ancient Israelite culture, grass was not primarily for lawns but vital as pasture for livestock, making it a symbol of provision and sustenance. Its rapid withering in the dry climate made it a natural emblem for brevity. The mention of 'leeks' in Numbers 11:5 reflects the Egyptian diet, highlighting cultural memory and the Israelites' longing for familiar foods in the wilderness. עֵשֶׂב (ʿēśeb, H6212) — general term for plants, herbs, or vegetation, often in creation contexts (Genesis 1:11). דֶּשֶׁא (desheʾ, H1877) — tender grass, new shoots, emphasizing fresh growth (Psalm 23:2). יֶרֶק (yereq, H3418) — green thing, herbage, often for edible plants (Genesis 1:30).

Word Details