Original Word: צְעִירָה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: ts`iyrah
Pronunciation: tsey-rah'
Phonetic Spelling: (tseh-ee-raw')
KJV: youth
NASB: youth
Word Origin: [feminine of H6810 (צָּעִיר צָּעוֹר - younger)]

1. smallness (of age), i.e. juvenility

youth

Feminine of tsa'iyr; smallness (of age), i.e. Juvenility -- youth.

see HEBREW tsa'iyr

Word Origin
fem. of tsair
Definition
youth
NASB Translation
youth (1).

[צְעִירָה] noun feminine youth; — suffix כִּצְעִרָתוֺ Genesis 43:33 (J; opposed to כִּבְכֹרָתוֺ). — On adjective צְעִירָה see foregoing; צעוריה Jeremiah 48:4 צעוריהם Jeremiah 14:3, see צֹעַר, צָעִיר.

Lexical Field and Nuance

צְעִירָה designates the “younger” or “youngest” member within a family or ordered group. Although occurring only once, the term assumes the broader Hebrew pattern in which comparative age signals privilege, responsibility, or vulnerability, thereby shaping narrative tension and theological reflection.

Historical Setting in Genesis 43:33

When Joseph hosts his brothers in Egypt, he “had them seated before him in order of their age, from the firstborn to the youngest; and the men looked at one another in astonishment” (Genesis 43:33). The use of צְעִירָה pinpoints Benjamin, the twelfth and youngest son of Jacob, whose favored status drives much of the Joseph saga. Joseph’s precise arrangement reveals hidden knowledge that no Egyptian official could possess, heightening the brothers’ unease and foreshadowing the eventual disclosure of Joseph’s identity.

Theological Themes

1. Divine Omniscience and Providence: Joseph’s uncanny awareness illustrates the larger motif of God’s sovereign orchestration of events. What appears to be human insight ultimately reflects divine oversight, reminding readers that “there is no creature hidden from His sight” (Hebrews 4:13).
2. Reversal of Human Expectations: Though Benjamin is “the youngest,” he receives a fivefold portion at the same meal (Genesis 43:34). Scripture regularly depicts God elevating the younger or lesser—Abel over Cain, Jacob over Esau, David over his brothers—anticipating Christ’s proclamation, “the last will be first” (Matthew 20:16).
3. Covenant Continuity: Benjamin’s designation as צְעִירָה serves the patriarchal narrative by preserving the chosen line. The youngest brother’s safety ensures the unfolding of redemptive history leading to the nation of Israel and, ultimately, the Messiah.

Typological Implications

Benjamin, the youngest, is uniquely loved by Jacob and protected by Joseph—an echo of the beloved Son motif that culminates in Jesus Christ. The preferential treatment Benjamin receives prefigures the grace bestowed upon those who are least in worldly estimation yet chosen in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:27-29).

Practical Ministry Applications

• Shepherding the Vulnerable: Churches are called to honor and defend the “youngest” and weakest in their midst, valuing each member regardless of status (James 2:1-5).
• Discerning God’s Hidden Work: Like Joseph’s brothers, believers may be astonished at circumstances they cannot explain. The narrative invites trust in God’s unseen purposes.
• Training in Humility: Recognizing that God often advances His plan through those deemed least, leaders cultivate humility and openness to unexpected instruments of grace.

Intertextual Connections

Although צְעִירָה itself appears only in Genesis 43:33, related terms portray similar dynamics:
• “Samuel was ministering before the Lord, a boy wearing a linen ephod” (1 Samuel 2:18)—the young serving in sacred space.
• “David was the youngest” (1 Samuel 17:14), yet anointed king.

These parallels reinforce God’s consistent pattern of working through the younger or overlooked to manifest His glory.

Legacy in Jewish and Christian Tradition

Rabbinic commentary highlights Benjamin’s innocence and the divine favor surrounding the youngest son. Early Christian writers, noting the typology, viewed Benjamin as emblematic of the church, beloved and protected amidst adversity. In liturgy and preaching, the scene of Joseph arranging the brothers continues to illustrate God’s intimate governance over family histories and national destinies.

Summary

צְעִירָה, though occurring only once, amplifies critical biblical themes: the sovereignty of God, the subversion of human hierarchy, and the safeguarding of covenant purposes through the least likely channels. Genesis 43:33 thus stands as a testament to divine wisdom that orders all things, from the firstborn to the youngest, for the fulfillment of salvation history.

כִּצְעִרָת֑וֹ כצערתו kiṣ‘irāṯōw kiṣ·‘i·rā·ṯōw kitziraToInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts