Bible Word Study
צוּת
tsûwth · to blaze
צוּת
to blaze
Definition
The Hebrew verb צוּת (tsûwth) means 'to blaze' or 'to burn,' specifically describing a fire that is kindled or set ablaze. It appears only once in the Old Testament, in Isaiah 27:4, where it is used metaphorically to express God's protective wrath against those who would harm His vineyard. In this context, the 'blazing' is not a destructive wildfire but a controlled, defensive fire. The word conveys the idea of a fire being actively ignited or set in motion, rather than a state of general burning.
Biblical Usage
This verb is used only in Isaiah 27:4. The context is a prophetic song about God's care for His vineyard (Israel). God declares, 'Fury is not in me: who would set the briers and thorns against me in battle? I would go through them, I would burn them together.' Here, the 'blazing' (צוּת) is a hypothetical, defensive action against hostile forces ('briers and thorns'). Its singular usage is poetic and metaphorical, depicting divine judgment as a protective measure.
Etymology
צוּת is a primitive root, meaning its origin is not derived from another Hebrew word. It is a specific term for kindling or setting a fire ablaze. Cognates in other Semitic languages, like Ugaritic, support the meaning related to burning or flaming. The root conveys the initiation of a fire, distinguishing it from words for a continuing state of combustion.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, צוּת carries theological weight in its context. In Isaiah 27:4, it illustrates a profound aspect of God's character: His wrath is not capricious fury but a measured, defensive response to protect His covenant people. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading by highlighting that God's 'blazing' is purposeful and protective, a key concept in prophetic literature regarding divine judgment and salvation. In ancient Near Eastern culture, fire was a primary tool for clearing land for agriculture and for defense against threats. The metaphor in Isaiah 27:4 would resonate with an agrarian society familiar with using controlled fires to burn away thorns and briers to safeguard a cultivated vineyard. This contrasts with a modern understanding of fire as largely destructive, emphasizing its protective and purgative role in that setting. בָּעַר (ba'ar, H1197) — to burn, consume, often of a fire that devours; שָׂרַף (sâraph, H8313) — to burn, scorch, often implying complete destruction by fire.
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]