Bible Word Study
מְצִלָּה
mᵉtsillâh · a tinkler, i.e. a bell
מְצִלָּה
a tinkler, i.e. a bell
Definition
The Hebrew noun מְצִלָּה (mᵉtsillâh) refers specifically to a small bell or tinkler, likely made of metal. It is used only once in the Old Testament, in Zechariah 14:20, where it describes a bell attached to a horse's harness. The word emphasizes the sound produced—a light, ringing, or jingling noise—rather than a large, resonant chime. Its singular biblical occurrence gives it a precise and narrow semantic range.
Biblical Usage
This word appears only in Zechariah 14:20. In this prophetic context, it is part of a vision of ultimate holiness, where even the most ordinary objects, like the bells on horses, will be inscribed as 'Holy to the LORD.' Its usage is not for musical or ritual purposes but as a mundane item transformed by divine consecration.
Etymology
Derived from the root צָלַל (tsalal, H6750), which means 'to tinkle, ring, or clatter.' This root conveys the idea of a sharp, resonant sound. Related nouns from the same root include מְצִלְתַּיִם (mᵉtsiltayim, H4700), referring to cymbals, highlighting the shared concept of metallic percussion.
Semantic Range
Though a simple object, the bell in Zechariah 14:20 becomes a powerful symbol in eschatological prophecy. It signifies the thoroughgoing holiness that will permeate all creation in the LORD's kingdom, where even common, everyday items are completely dedicated to God. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading by connecting the sound of a small bell to the grand theme of universal sanctification. In ancient Near Eastern culture, small bells were often attached to the harnesses of horses and other animals, possibly for decorative purposes, to signify status, or for practical identification. Their 'tinkling' sound was a familiar part of daily life, making Zechariah's prophetic image relatable to his original audience. מְצִלְתַּיִם (mᵉtsiltayim, H4700) — a pair of cymbals, a musical percussion instrument, not a small harness bell. פַּעֲמוֹן (pa‘amôn, H6472) — a bell (specifically on the high priest's robe), used in a sacred, ritual context (Exodus 28:33-34, 39:25-26).
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB, 1906, public domain). Concordance and morphology data are from the OSHB (Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible).
Full methodology & sources →References
- Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Tyndale Brief lexicon of Extended Strongs for Greek (TBESG). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Formatted full LSJ (TFLSJ). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Thayer, J.H. (1889) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. [Public Domain]
- Gesenius, W. (1846) Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament. [Public Domain]
- Dodson, J. (2010) Greek Lexicon. Biblical Humanities. [CC0]