Bible Word Study
צָוַח
tsâvach · to screech (exultingly)
צָוַח
to screech (exultingly)
Definition
The Hebrew verb צָוַח (tsâvach) means to cry out, shout, or screech, often with a sense of intense, unrestrained vocal expression. In its single biblical occurrence in Isaiah 42:11, it describes the joyful, exultant shouting of the inhabitants of the desert and its cities, celebrating God's glory. This is not a quiet praise but a loud, communal outcry of triumph and worship. The word carries connotations of a piercing or shrill sound, emphasizing the fervor and intensity of the cry.
Biblical Usage
This verb is used only once in the Old Testament, in Isaiah 42:11. It appears in a prophetic call for creation—specifically the desert, its cities, and the villages of Kedar—to raise a loud, exultant shout in response to God's mighty acts and the coming salvation. The context is one of eschatological joy and celebration, where even the wilderness joins in triumphant praise.
Etymology
צָוַח is a primitive root in Hebrew. It is related to the Arabic cognate ṣāḥa, meaning 'to shout' or 'cry out,' suggesting a core Semitic concept of a loud vocal utterance. The root conveys the basic idea of producing a sharp, penetrating sound, often associated with strong emotion.
Semantic Range
This word, though rare, is theologically significant as it captures the intensity of creation's response to God's redemptive work. In Isaiah 42, part of the 'Servant Songs,' the exultant shouting of the desert underscores the universal scope of God's salvation, extending even to the most desolate places. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading by highlighting the unrestrained, overwhelming joy that characterizes the proper response to God's glory and deliverance. In ancient Near Eastern culture, loud, communal shouting was a common expression of triumph, celebration, or acclamation for a king or deity. The specific call for the desert and its settlements to 'shout' in Isaiah would have been a powerful poetic image, signifying a complete transformation where even barren, sparsely populated regions erupt in praise. רָנַן (ranan, H7442) — to shout for joy, often in song or praise; more frequent and general for joyful noise. זָעַק (zaʿaq, H2199) — to cry out, often in distress or for help. הָלַל (halal, H1984) — to praise, celebrate, boast; broader term for praise, not necessarily loud shouting.
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]