Lexical Summary
tson: Flock, sheep, goats
Original Word:צאֹן
Part of Speech:Noun Feminine
Transliteration:tso'n
Pronunciation:tsone
Phonetic Spelling:(tsone)
KJV: (small) cattle, flock (+ -s), lamb (+ -s), sheep((-cote, -fold, -shearer, -herds))
NASB:flock, sheep, flocks, lambs
Word Origin:[from an unused root meaning to migrate]
1. a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats)
2. also figuratively (of men)
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
small cattle, flock, lamb, sheepcote,
Or tsaown (Psalm 144:13) {tseh-one'}; from an unused root meaning to migrate; a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men) -- (small) cattle, flock (+ -s), lamb (+ -s), sheep((-cote, -fold, -shearer, -herds)).
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom an unused word
Definitionsmall cattle, sheep and goats, flock
NASB Translationflock (102), flocks (58), lambs (1), lambs* (2), Sheep (3), sheep (99), sheepfolds* (3), sheepshearers* (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
273Genesis 30:36 (possibly masculine
Genesis 30:39 a +, Kö
Synt. § 247 g, but dubious,
Genesis 30:39b with verb feminine plural, as usually; in
1 Samuel 15:14 join with ; see further Albr
ZAW xv (1895), 316 ff.) ; — absolute
Genesis 4:2 +; construct
Genesis 29:9 +; suffix
Genesis 4:4 +;
Exodus 10:9,
Psalm 144:13; as plural
Nehemiah 10:37 van d. H. Gi (not Baer; very late, si vera lectio), etc.; —
literally
small cattle, usually of sheep and goats in one flock (RobBR i. 477)Genesis 30:31,32 +; sheep specified alsoGenesis 21:28 (),Genesis 31:28 () +; sheep only1 Samuel 25:2 (+); goats specifiedGenesis 27:9;Jeremiah 50:8; as yielding (1) animals for foodAmos 6:4 (),1 Samuel 14:32;2 Samuel 12:4;Nehemiah 5:18 +;Psalm 44:12 (in simile); (2) woolGenesis 31:19 + (see [ ], ); (3) milk,Deuteronomy 32:14 (? goats' milk, compareProverbs 27:27); (4) sacrificial victimsGenesis 4:4 (J),Leviticus 1:2,10;Leviticus 3:6;Numbers 15:3 (all P),Numbers 22:40 (E),Deuteronomy 12:6,17,21 + often; soEzekiel 36:38 a, compareNehemiah 10:37; in General as property (often + , etc.)Genesis 12:16;Genesis 13:5;Genesis 24:35;Job 1:3;Job 42:12 + often (see also II. []); giftGenesis 20:14;Genesis 21:27;Genesis 38:17 (goat),Deuteronomy 15:14; 2Chronicles 17:11; booty1 Samuel 15:9,15 + .
sometimes of a definite number of animals (i.e. as plural of , etc.): twoIsaiah 7:21, fourExodus 21:37 (larger numbers see1 Samuel 25:2,5,18;Numbers 31:32,36;Nehemiah 5:18;Job 1:3;Job 42:12 above). — See also ; , , , , ; , , .
Ezekiel 36:37,38, comparePsalm 107:41; of childrenJob 21:11; of dead, with death as shepherdPsalm 49:15; of (shepherdless) IsraelNumbers 27:17;1 Kings 22:17 2Chronicles 18:16;Zechariah 10:2;Zechariah 13:7, wandering in sinIsaiah 53:6; of Israel led byPsalm 77:21;Psalm 78:52;Psalm 80:2, compareZechariah 9:16 (on text see We Now);Ezekiel 34:12; of Israel in distress,Psalm 44:23, compare (of wicked)Jeremiah 12:3; of scattered BabylonianIsaiah 13:14.
,Ezekiel 36:38; of Israel2 Samuel 24:17 =1 Chronicles 21:17;Jeremiah 23:1,2,3;Ezekiel 24:5, and especially sustained figurativeEzekiel 34:2,317t. 34, alsoZechariah 11:7,17;Jeremiah 50:6,Jeremiah 13:20; of Israel under s care, (-, )Psalm 74:1;Psalm 79:13;Psalm 100:3;Ezekiel 34:31, alsoPsalm 95:7("" ; read perhaps , , so Che and others);Micah 7:14; also in combinations:Jeremiah 25:34,35,36,Zechariah 11:4,7 (comparePsalm 44:23),Psalm 44:7;Psalm 44:11 (all of Israel); of EdomJeremiah 49:20;Jeremiah 50:45.
Topical Lexicon
General Meaning and Scopeצאֹן (tson) designates small domesticated livestock—principally sheep but often including goats—that lived under the care of a shepherd. About 274 occurrences spread across almost every historical period of the Old Testament establish flocks as a foundational element of Israel’s agrarian life, worship, and theological self-understanding.
First Appearance and Patriarchal Economy
The word first surfaces inGenesis 4:2 where Abel “kept flocks” and offered “the firstborn of his flock” (Genesis 4:4), setting a pattern of pastoral vocation and acceptable sacrifice. The Patriarchs’ wealth is repeatedly measured in flocks (Genesis 12:16;Genesis 13:2;Genesis 30:43). When Jacob and Esau reconcile, the transfer of part of Jacob’s צאן (Genesis 32:14) functions as both restitution and covenant token.
Cultic and Sacrificial Functions
The Law establishes sheep from the flock as standard offerings for sin, guilt, peace, and burnt sacrifices (Exodus 12:3-13;Leviticus 1:10;Leviticus 4:32). Flocks thus bridge daily livelihood and holy worship: “You shall bring your offering from the flock, a male without blemish” (Leviticus 22:19). Their continual presence at the altar underscores the principle of substitutionary atonement culminating in the Passover lamb—a type fulfilled in the Lamb of God (John 1:29).
Symbol of Blessing and Covenant Prosperity
Large flocks signify divine favor: “He will bless the fruit of your womb and the young of your livestock” (Deuteronomy 7:13). Job’s restoration includes fourteen thousand sheep (Job 42:12).Psalm 144:13 pictures covenant abundance: “Our sheep will increase by thousands, by tens of thousands in our fields.”
Instrument of Judgment and Curse
The same covenant stipulations warn that disobedience will reverse prosperity: “Your flocks of sheep will be given to your enemies, and you will have no one to rescue them” (Deuteronomy 28:31). InJeremiah 33:12 ruined Judah is described as land “without man or beast, without flocks or herds,” graphically portraying divine judgment.
Imagery of Shepherding
Because צאן require vigilant oversight, Scripture employs the shepherd-flock relationship to illustrate human dependence and divine care. “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1).Isaiah 40:11 magnifies God’s tenderness: “He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms.” Conversely, leaders who neglect their charge are condemned (Ezekiel 34:2-6), while Messiah is hailed as the ideal Shepherd-King (Ezekiel 34:23;Micah 5:4).
Prophetic and Messianic Foreshadowing
Prophets link restoration to multiplied flocks: “Flocks will again pass under the hands of the One who counts them” (Jeremiah 33:13).Zechariah 9:16 foresees redeemed Judah “as the flock of His people.”Isaiah 53:6 employs flock imagery for universal sin: “We all like sheep have gone astray,” setting the stage for the substitutionary Servant.
Wisdom Literature and Ethical Use
Proverbs 27:23-26 exhorts stewardship: “Be sure you know the condition of your flocks… the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field.”Ecclesiastes 2:7 records Solomon’s flocks as proof of his grand experiment, yet they could not yield ultimate satisfaction.
Eschatological Restoration
Ezekiel envisions an end-time pasture where God covenants “a covenant of peace” and multiplies the flock in safety (Ezekiel 34:25-31).Amos 9:14 promises vineyards and abundant herds upon Israel’s return. These future scenes echo earlier blessings, tying history to hope.
Practical Ministry Applications
1. Pastoral Care: The shepherd model guides spiritual oversight (1 Peter 5:2-4).
2. Evangelism: Lost-sheep imagery motivates pursuit of the wandering (Luke 15:4-7).
3. Worship: The history of flock sacrifices informs present gratitude for the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ (Hebrews 10:10).
Thus צאֹן represents far more than livestock; it weaves together livelihood, worship, leadership, covenant fidelity, and eschatological promise, directing the reader ultimately to the Chief Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep.
Forms and Transliterations
בְּצֹ֣אן בְּצֹאנֵ֤נוּ בְּצֹאנֶ֑ךָ בְּצֹאנָ֣ם בַּצֹּ֑אן בַּצֹּ֔אן בַּצֹּ֛אן בַּצֹּֽאן׃ בַצֹּ֑אן בצאן בצאן׃ בצאנך בצאנם בצאננו הֲצֹ֧אן הַצֹּ֑אן הַצֹּ֔אן הַצֹּ֖אן הַצֹּ֗אן הַצֹּ֛אן הַצֹּ֣אן הַצֹּ֤אן הַצֹּ֥אן הַצֹּ֧אן הַצֹּ֨אן הַצֹּֽאן׃ הַצֹּאן֙ הַצֹּאן֩ הצאן הצאן׃ וְהַצֹּ֗אן וְהַצֹּ֣אן וְהַצֹּ֥אן וְצֹ֕אן וְצֹ֖אן וְצֹ֗אן וְצֹ֣אן וְצֹ֥אן וְצֹֽאנְךָ֙ וְצֹאן֙ וְצֹאן֮ וְצֹאנְךָ֥ וְצֹאנְכֶֽם׃ וְצֹאנִ֑י וְצֹאנֵ֗ינוּ וְצֹאנֶ֑ךָ וְצֹאנָ֣ם וְצֹאנָ֤ם וְצֹאנָ֧ם וְצֹאנָם֙ וָצֹ֑אן וָצֹ֔אן וָצֹ֤אן וּבְצֹֽאנְךָ֙ וּבַצֹּ֑אן וּבַצֹּ֗אן וּכְצֹ֖אן וּמִצֹּֽאנְךָ֗ ובצאן ובצאנך והצאן וכצאן ומצאנך וצאן וצאני וצאנינו וצאנך וצאנכם׃ וצאנם כְּצֹ֣אן כְּצֹ֤אן כַ֭צֹּאן כַּ֝צֹּ֗אן כַּצֹּ֕אן כַּצֹּ֖אן כַּצֹּ֣אן כַּצֹּ֤אן ׀ כַצֹּ֣אן כצאן לְצֹאנִ֔י לְצֹאנֶ֑ךָ לְצֹאנָ֖ם לְצֹאנָֽם׃ לַצֹּאן֙ לָרֹ֑ב לצאן לצאני לצאנך לצאנם לצאנם׃ לרב מִצֹּ֔אן מִצֹּ֣אנְךָ֔ מִצֹּאנוֹ֙ מצאן מצאנו מצאנך צֹ֑אן צֹ֔אן צֹ֕אן צֹ֖אן צֹ֗אן צֹ֚אן צֹ֛אן צֹ֜אן צֹ֞אן צֹ֠אן צֹ֣אן צֹ֤אן צֹ֥אן צֹ֧אן צֹ֨אן צֹֽאן׃ צֹֽאנְךָ֖ צֹֽאנְךָ֙ צֹֽאנְךָ֜ צֹאונֵ֣נוּ צֹאן֒ צֹאן֙ צֹאן־ צֹאנ֑וֹ צֹאנ֔וֹ צֹאנ֖וֹ צֹאנ֤וֹ צֹאנְךָ֖ צֹאנְךָ֙ צֹאנְכֶ֑ם צֹאנְכֶ֖ם צֹאנְכֶ֥ם צֹאנְכֶ֨ם צֹאנִ֑י צֹאנִ֔י צֹאנִ֖י צֹאנִ֛י צֹאנִ֣י צֹאנִ֣י ׀ צֹאנִ֨י צֹאנִֽי׃ צֹאנִי֙ צֹאנֶ֑ךָ צֹאנֶ֔ךָ צֹאנֶֽךָ׃ צֹאנָ֥ם צֹאנָֽם׃ צֹאנָם֙ צֹאנֽוֹ׃ צֹאנוֹ֙ צאוננו צאן צאן־ צאן׃ צאנו צאנו׃ צאני צאני׃ צאנך צאנך׃ צאנכם צאנם צאנם׃ baṣ·ṣōn ḇaṣ·ṣōn baṣṣōn ḇaṣṣōn batzTzon bə·ṣō·nām bə·ṣō·ne·ḵā bə·ṣō·nê·nū bə·ṣōn bəṣōn bəṣōnām bəṣōneḵā bəṣōnênū beTzon betzoNam betzoNecha betzoNenu Chatztzon hă·ṣōn haṣ·ṣōn hăṣōn haṣṣōn haTzon hatzTzon kaṣ·ṣōn ḵaṣ·ṣōn kaṣṣōn ḵaṣṣōn katzTzon kə·ṣōn kəṣōn keTzon lā·rōḇ laRo lārōḇ laṣ·ṣōn laṣṣōn latztzoN lə·ṣō·nām lə·ṣō·ne·ḵā lə·ṣō·nî ləṣōnām ləṣōneḵā ləṣōnî letzoNam letzoNecha letzoNi miṣ·ṣō·nə·ḵā miṣ·ṣō·nōw miṣ·ṣōn miṣṣōn miṣṣōnəḵā miṣṣōnōw mitzTzon mitzTzonecha mitztzoNo ṣō·nām ṣō·ne·ḵā ṣō·nə·ḵā ṣō·nə·ḵem ṣō·nî ṣō·nōw ṣō·w·nê·nū ṣōn ṣōn- ṣōnām ṣōneḵā ṣōnəḵā ṣōnəḵem ṣōnî ṣōnōw ṣōwnênū Tzon tzoNam tzonChem tzoneCha tzoNenu tzoNi tzoNo ū·ḇaṣ·ṣōn ū·ḇə·ṣō·nə·ḵā ū·ḵə·ṣōn ū·miṣ·ṣō·nə·ḵā ūḇaṣṣōn ūḇəṣōnəḵā ucheTzon ūḵəṣōn ūmiṣṣōnəḵā umitztzoneCha uvatzTzon uvetzoneCha vaTzon vatzTzon vehatzTzon veTzon vetzoNam vetzoneCha vetzoneChem vetzoNeinu vetzoNi wā·ṣōn wāṣōn wə·haṣ·ṣōn wə·ṣō·nām wə·ṣō·ne·ḵā wə·ṣō·nə·ḵā wə·ṣō·nə·ḵem wə·ṣō·nê·nū wə·ṣō·nî wə·ṣōn wəhaṣṣōn wəṣōn wəṣōnām wəṣōneḵā wəṣōnəḵā wəṣōnəḵem wəṣōnênū wəṣōnî
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