6676. tsavvar
Lexical Summary
tsavvar: neck

Original Word: צַוַּאר
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: tsavva'r
Pronunciation: tsav-vawr'
Phonetic Spelling: (tsav-var')
NASB: neck
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) corresponding to H6677 (צַּוָּאר צַּוָּר צַּוָּרוֹן צַּוָּארָה - neck)]

1. neck

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
neck

(Aramaic) corresponding to tsavva'r -- neck.

see HEBREW tsavva'r

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
(Aramaic) corresponding to tsavvar
Definition
neck
NASB Translation
neck (3).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
[צַוַּאר] noun masculine neck (ᵑ7 Syriac; see Biblical Hebrew below I. צור); — suffix צַוְּארָךְ Daniel 5:16, צַוְּארֵהּ Daniel 5:7; Daniel 5:29.

Topical Lexicon
Range of Meaning and Imagery

צַוַּאר most simply denotes the physical neck, yet its canonical setting invests the word with rich layers of honor, vulnerability, submission, and government. Situated between head and body, the neck functions as the locus where blessing (chains, kisses, ornaments) or bondage (yokes, fetters, execution) is displayed. Across Scripture the neck can bow in worship, stiffen in rebellion, bear a yoke, or receive royal insignia. These varied connotations underlie the four occurrences of Strong’s 6676.

Royal Distinction in Daniel

Daniel 5:7, 16, 29 (all in Aramaic) portray Belshazzar’s desperate pledge: “Whoever reads this inscription and explains it will be clothed in purple and have a chain of gold placed around his neck, and he will be given authority as the third ruler in the kingdom” (Daniel 5:16). The promised chain on the neck communicates several themes:

• Transfer of authority—Gold about the neck, unlike a crown, signals delegated honor rather than intrinsic kingship.
• Immediacy and publicity—Ornament on the neck rests at eye-level, instantly visible to the court.
• Fragility of earthly glory—Belshazzar’s gifts are lavish yet fleeting; by dawn the city falls (Daniel 5:30-31). The neck that bore the chain could just as quickly bear a noose.

For the faithful, Daniel’s acceptance of the chain (verse 29) illustrates that God’s servants may receive temporal honors without compromising allegiance. Daniel’s heart remained unmoved by material reward (verse 17), modeling proper detachment amid courtly splendor.

Agrarian Discipline in Hosea

Hosea 10:11 shifts the image. The prophet likens complacent Ephraim to “a trained heifer that loves to thresh, but I will spare her fair neck; I will put a yoke on Ephraim”. Here:

• The neck embodies the will of the nation. A “fair neck” free from heavy labor has grown self-indulgent.
• The impending yoke signifies divine chastening. Israel’s freedom of motion will be curbed until repentance ripens.
• The agricultural metaphor anticipates Messiah’s invitation—His “yoke is easy” (Matthew 11:30)—contrasting gracious lordship with punitive subjugation.

Theological Motifs Associated with the Neck

1. Submission versus Stubbornness—“Stiff-necked” Israel (Exodus 32:9) contrasts with those who “bow the neck” in worship (Nehemiah 9:6). Strong’s 6676 stands inside that wider idiom of yielded or rigid wills.
2. Visibility of Allegiance—What rests on the neck advertises identity: Joseph’s chain before Pharaoh (Genesis 41:42), the Bride’s necklace in Song of Solomon 4:9, or the Romans’ yoke of oppression (Lamentations 1:14).
3. Place of Life—A severed neck ends breath; hence the neck’s exposure in sacrifice (Leviticus 1:15) and judgment (Joshua 10:24). Salvation imagery reverses this: God “breaks the yoke from your neck” (Nahum 1:13).

Historical and Cultural Background

In the Neo-Babylonian milieu, neck-chains of gold were diplomatic honors signaling high rank second only to the crown. The motif appears in Akkadian sources and iconography where prominent courtiers wear broad torques. Hosea’s farming allusion draws on Iron-Age plowing practices: light threshing required minimal restraint, but heavy plowing demanded a substantial yoke bound by leather across the animal’s neck and shoulders.

Ministry Implications

• God still adorns faithful service, though outward reward is secondary to inward integrity (Colossians 3:23-24).
• Leaders must beware of offering empty honors that mask impending judgment; only righteousness upholds a throne.
• Discipleship involves placing our neck willingly under Christ’s gentle yoke, escaping both the yoke of sin and the vanity of self-exaltation.
• Preaching Hosea 10:11 calls believers to examine comfort zones that inhibit wholehearted obedience; the Lord’s discipline, though heavy, steers toward fruitfulness.

Summary

צַוַּאר unites themes of dignity and discipline. A neck can be garnished with gold or bowed beneath a yoke. In Daniel it shimmers with courtly prestige, in Hosea it feels the press of divine correction. Both images urge modern readers to humble their necks under the sovereign hand of God, trusting Him either to beautify with honor or to harness for holiness according to His wise purpose.

Forms and Transliterations
צַוְּארֵ֑הּ צַוְּארֵ֔הּ צַוְּארָ֔ךְ צַוָּארָ֑הּ צוארה צוארך ṣaw·wā·rāh ṣaw·wə·rāḵ ṣaw·wə·rêh ṣawwārāh ṣawwərāḵ ṣawwərêh tzavvaRah tzavveRach tzavveReh
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Daniel 5:7
HEB: דַהֲבָא֙ עַֽל־ צַוְּארֵ֔הּ וְתַלְתִּ֥י בְמַלְכוּתָ֖א
NAS: around his neck, and have authority
KJV: about his neck, and shall be the third
INT: of gold around his neck and shall be the third the kingdom

Daniel 5:16
HEB: דַהֲבָא֙ עַֽל־ צַוְּארָ֔ךְ וְתַלְתָּ֥א בְמַלְכוּתָ֖א
NAS: around your neck, and you will have authority
KJV: about thy neck, and shalt be the third
INT: of gold about your neck as the third the kingdom

Daniel 5:29
HEB: דַהֲבָ֖א עַֽל־ צַוְּארֵ֑הּ וְהַכְרִ֣זֽוּ עֲל֔וֹהִי
NAS: around his neck, and issued a proclamation
KJV: about his neck, and made a proclamation
INT: of gold around his neck and issued concerning

Hosea 10:11
HEB: עַל־ ט֖וּב צַוָּארָ֑הּ אַרְכִּ֤יב אֶפְרַ֙יִם֙
INT: over her fair neck will harness Ephraim

4 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 6676
4 Occurrences


ṣaw·wā·rāh — 1 Occ.
ṣaw·wə·rāḵ — 1 Occ.
ṣaw·wə·rêh — 2 Occ.

6675
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