Original Word: צֵל
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: tsel
Pronunciation: tsel
Phonetic Spelling: (tsale)
KJV: defence, shade(-ow)
NASB: shadow, shade, protection, shadows, shelter
Word Origin: [from H6751 (צָּלַל - grew dark)]

1. shade, whether literal or figurative

defense, shadow

From tsalal; shade, whether literal or figurative -- defence, shade(-ow).

see HEBREW tsalal

Word Origin
from tsalal
Definition
a shadow
NASB Translation
protection (4), shade (15), shadow (30), shadows (3), shelter (1).

צֵל noun masculine^{Psalm 144:4} shadow; — ׳צ absolute 2 Kings 20:9 +, construct Genesis 19:8 +; suffix צִלְךָ Psalm 121:5, צִלּוֺ Ezekiel 31:6 +, also צִלְלוֺ Job 40:22, etc.; plural צְלָלִים Songs 2:17; Songs 4:6; construct צִלְלֵי Jeremiah 6:4; —

1 shadow on dial 2 Kings 20:9,10 (twice in verse); 2 Kings 20:11 "" Isaiah 38:8; צִלְלֶיעָֿ֑רֶב Jeremiah 6:4, compare Songs 2:17; Songs 4:6; of mountain Judges 9:36.

2 shadow, shade, as protection (from sun): of branches, Judges 9:15 (in allegory), Hosea 4:13; Job 40:22; Jonah 4:5,6 and (in figurative) Hosea 14:8; Ezekiel 17:23; Ezekiel 31:6,12,17; Psalm 80:11; Songs 2:3 (of refreshment, delight); of rock Isaiah 32:2 (simile); קֹרָתִי ׳צ Genesis 19:8 shadow of my roof; of cloud Isaiah 25:4 and (figurative of ׳יs protection) Isaiah 4:6; Isaiah 25:4, so probably Isaiah 16:3; כְּנָפֶיךָ ׳צ shadow of thy wings, figurative of ׳י's protection Psalm 17:8; Psalm 36:8; Psalm 57:2; Psalm 63:8; shade, in General, Job 7:2, figurative of ׳י Psalm 121:5; hence = protection, defence, of city (wall) Jeremiah 48:45; of ׳י Numbers 14:9 (JE), Psalm 91:1 (see also proper name בְּצַלְאֵל), compare צֵל יָדוֺ Isaiah 49:2 (covering prophet, under figure of sword), Isaiah 51:16 (covering people); of human ally Isaiah 30:2,3, of king Lamentations 4:20; also of wisdom Ecclesiastes 7:12, money Ecclesiastes 7:12. — בְּצִלָּהּ Isaiah 34:15 apparently reference to קִמּוֺז, but improbable; read perhaps בֵּצֶיהָ her eggs Du Che^Hpt (Che^Heb Hpt transpose וּבָֽקְעָה וְדָֽגְרָה).

3 shadow as symbol of transitoriness of life Job 8:9; Job 14:2; Psalm 144:4 (כְּצֵל עוֺבֵר), Ecclesiastes 6:12; Ecclesiastes 8:13; כְּצֵל נָטוּי of an individual Life near its end Psalm 102:12, So כְּצֵל כִּנְטוֺתוֺ Psalm 109:23; in simile of emaciated members, וִיצֻרַי כַּצֵּל Job 17:7.

צִלְלוֺ, צְלָלִים, צִלְלֵי see צֶל. above

Overview

The Hebrew word צֵל (Strong 6738) denotes the shade cast by an object and the protective shadow found beneath it. About forty-nine times in the Old Testament it conveys physical relief, figurative protection, or the fleeting nature of human existence.

Physical Shelter from Heat and Light

In the arid climate of the Ancient Near East, shade meant survival. Lot pleaded for the men of Sodom because “they have come under the protection of my roof” (Genesis 19:8). Travelers or soldiers prized every patch of shade (Jonah 4:5–6), and the prophet likens the Messiah’s reign to “the shade of a great rock in a thirsty land” (Isaiah 32:2). Even plants offer sanctuary: “I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste” (Song of Solomon 2:3).

Shadow as Divine Protection

The term becomes a covenant image of the Lord’s guardianship:
• “Hide me in the shadow of Your wings” (Psalm 17:8).
• “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1).
• “The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is the shade on your right hand” (Psalm 121:5).

Under this shade, anxiety gives way to confidence, and worshipers rest secure (Psalms 36:7; 57:1; 63:7). Isaiah applies the same comfort to the oppressed: “You have been … a shade from the heat” (Isaiah 25:4).

Human Life as a Passing Shadow

צֵל also portrays brevity. “Our days on earth are but a shadow” (Job 8:9). David laments, “My days are like lengthening shadows” (Psalm 102:11) and “Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow” (Psalm 144:4). Ecclesiastes concludes that life “passes like a shadow” (Ecclesiastes 6:12). The imagery warns against pride while encouraging urgency in faith and obedience.

Illusory or Failing Protection

Scripture contrasts God’s reliable shade with false shelters. Caleb declared of Canaan’s giants, “Their protection is gone” (Numbers 14:9). Jotham’s parable mocks self-serving rulers: “Come and take refuge in my shade” (Judges 9:15). When Judah trusted Egypt, Isaiah warned, “The protection of Pharaoh will become your shame … the refuge in Egypt’s shadow your disgrace” (Isaiah 30:2–3). Lamentations mourns the fall of Judah’s king “under whose shadow we had hoped to live” (Lamentations 4:20). Such texts expose the futility of human deliverance apart from God.

Miraculous Sign of the Sundial

צֵל figures in Hezekiah’s sign: “He brought the shadow back ten steps it had descended on the stairway of Ahaz” (2 Kings 20:11; Isaiah 38:8). The reversal of the shadow’s normal course dramatized the Lord’s sovereignty over time and creation, assuring the king of extended life.

Judgment Imagery

The prophets depict shade in scenes of doom: fugitives “stand exhausted in the shadow of Heshbon” (Jeremiah 48:45). Edom’s desolation leaves owls to nest “in its shadow” (Isaiah 34:15). The absence of wholesome shade highlights divine wrath.

Messianic and Eschatological Overtones

Isaiah calls Moab to shelter refugees: “Make your shade like night in the midst of noonday” (Isaiah 16:3). Ultimately, the Servant will be “a covenant for the people … to restore the land” (Isaiah 49:8), fulfilling the deepest longing for safe shadow. Revelation later depicts the Lamb as the One who will “lead them to springs of living water; and God will wipe away every tear” (Revelation 7:17), answering the Old Testament plea for abiding shelter.

Liturgical and Devotional Use

Because the Psalms repeatedly pair “shadow” with “wings,” believers have long prayed these lines during morning and evening worship, confessing dependence and celebrating God’s nearness. Hymns and sermons draw on Psalm 91 and others to comfort the afflicted and to call the wanderer home.

Ministry Implications

1. Pastoral Care: Offer God’s promised shade to those scorched by trials (Psalm 121:5).
2. Discipleship: Teach the brevity of life (Job 8:9) to foster repentance and wise stewardship.
3. Counseling: Expose false refuges—wealth, politics, self-reliance—using Isaiah 30:2–3.
4. Evangelism: Present Christ as the true “tabernacle” who shelters from wrath (compare John 1:14).
5. Worship Planning: Incorporate readings and songs based on Psalms 17, 91, and 121 to cultivate trust.

Conclusion

צֵל binds together concrete desert experience, poetic confession, prophetic warning, and messianic hope. Whether offering literal coolness, picturing divine embrace, or reminding humanity of transience, the “shadow” theme invites every generation to seek lasting refuge in the Lord alone and to extend that same sheltering grace to others.

בְּצִלּ֖וֹ בְּצִלּוֹ֙ בְּצֵ֣ל בְּצֵ֥ל בְּצֵל־ בְצִלִּ֑י בְצִלָּ֑הּ בְצִלּ֔וֹ בְצִלּ֖וֹ בַּצֵּ֔ל בצל בצל־ בצלה בצלו בצלי הַצֵּ֗ל הַצֵּ֛ל הַצֵּל֙ הצל וּבְצִלּוֹ֙ וּבְצֵ֖ל וּבְצֵ֥ל וּבְצֵֽל־ ובצל ובצל־ ובצלו כְּצֵ֣ל כְּצֵ֥ל כְּצֵל־ כַּ֝צֵּ֗ל כַּצֵּ֑ל כַּצֵּ֣ל כַּצֵּ֧ל ׀ כצל כצל־ לְצֵל־ לַצֵּ֔ל לצל לצל־ מִצִּלּ֛וֹ מצלו צִ֝לְּךָ֗ צִלֵּ֖ךְ צִלָּ֑הּ צִלָּ֧ם צֵ֑ל צֵ֖ל צֵ֣ל צֵ֧ל צֵל֙ צל צלה צלך צלם baṣ·ṣêl baṣṣêl batzTzel bə·ṣêl bə·ṣêl- ḇə·ṣil·lāh ḇə·ṣil·lî bə·ṣil·lōw ḇə·ṣil·lōw bəṣêl bəṣêl- ḇəṣillāh ḇəṣillî bəṣillōw ḇəṣillōw beTzel betzilLo haṣ·ṣêl haṣṣêl hatzTzel kaṣ·ṣêl kaṣṣêl katzTzel kə·ṣêl kə·ṣêl- kəṣêl kəṣêl- keTzel laṣ·ṣêl laṣṣêl latzTzel lə·ṣêl- ləṣêl- letzel miṣ·ṣil·lōw miṣṣillōw mitztzilLo ṣêl ṣil·lāh ṣil·lām ṣil·lə·ḵā ṣil·lêḵ ṣillāh ṣillām ṣillêḵ ṣilləḵā tzel tzilLah tzilLam tzilLech tzillecha ū·ḇə·ṣêl ū·ḇə·ṣêl- ū·ḇə·ṣil·lōw ūḇəṣêl ūḇəṣêl- ūḇəṣillōw uvetzel uvetzilLo vetzilLah vetzilLi vetzilLoInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts