Lexical Summary tsachor: White, bright Original Word: צָחֹר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance white From the same as tsachar; white -- white. see HEBREW tsachar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as tsachar Definition tawny NASB Translation white (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [צָחֹר] adjective tawny; — feminine plural אֲתֹנוֺת צְחֹרוֺת Judges 5:10. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Context Tsachor conveys the visual impression of bright whiteness and is employed once, in the Song of Deborah, to describe the color of certain donkeys (Judges 5:10). The term highlights something strikingly light or gleaming, inviting reflection on purity, victory, and social status. Biblical Occurrence Judges 5:10: “You who ride on white donkeys, who sit on saddle blankets, and you who travel the road, shout for praise!” The line is part of Deborah’s triumphal hymn after the Lord delivered Israel from Sisera’s army. Those “who ride on white donkeys” are summoned alongside judicial elders (“sit on saddle blankets”) and common travelers to join the corporate celebration of God’s salvation. Historical and Cultural Background 1. Status Symbol: In the Ancient Near East, donkeys—especially rare white ones—were prized mounts for leaders, wealthy landowners, and judges. Archaeological and textual evidence shows that rulers preferred donkeys for peaceful processions, reserving horses for warfare. Symbolic and Theological Significance • Purity and Victory: Whiteness in Scripture commonly symbolizes cleansing and triumph (Isaiah 1:18; Revelation 3:5; Revelation 19:14). The shining animals become living testimony that God’s deliverance has introduced a new, unstained chapter for His people. Connections within Scripture Genesis 49:11 links Judah’s royal line with a colt “tethered to the choicest vine,” evoking dignity and abundance. Zechariah 9:9 later depicts the Messiah entering Jerusalem on a donkey. The Gospel accounts (Matthew 21:1-11; John 12:14-16) affirm the prophecy in Jesus’ triumphal entry, where the Mount of Olives procession parallels Deborah’s call to celebrate the LORD’s victory. The whiteness motif culminates in Revelation, where saints and heavenly armies wear “white linen, pure and bright” (Revelation 19:14). Ministry and Practical Application • Gratitude Across Vocations: Whether judge, leader, or traveler, every believer is responsible to recount the Lord’s victories. Public praise fosters corporate memory of God’s faithfulness. Further Study Compare Judges 5:10 with passages where distinct animals mark pivotal redemptive moments (Exodus 13:13; 1 Samuel 25:20) and trace the thematic thread of “whiteness” through Scripture (Daniel 7:9; Mark 9:3; Revelation 1:14). Such study deepens appreciation for the Spirit’s intentional imagery woven throughout the Word. Forms and Transliterations צְחֹר֜וֹת צחרות ṣə·ḥō·rō·wṯ ṣəḥōrōwṯ tzechoRotLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Judges 5:10 HEB: רֹכְבֵי֩ אֲתֹנ֨וֹת צְחֹר֜וֹת יֹשְׁבֵ֧י עַל־ NAS: You who ride on white donkeys, KJV: ye that ride on white asses, INT: ride donkeys white sit on 1 Occurrence |
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