question for Richard

[kathryn]

Hi Richard...I was wondering if you had any idea where the word tzitzit came from? I know it is the "fringe"...but is tzitzit a Hebrew word? (they don't have a "z" in the alphabet) I am trying to figure out the actual Hebrew letters which describe it. Blessings, Kathryn

[yinonyavo]

Strong's number 06734 tsiytsith tsee-tseeth’

from 06731; TWOT-1912; n f

AV-fringe 3, lock 1; 4

1) fringe, tassel, lock

Nu 15:39 And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring:

[Richard Amiel McGough]

Hi Richard...I was wondering if you had any idea where the word tzitzit came from? I know it is the "fringe"...but is tzitzit a Hebrew word? (they don't have a "z" in the alphabet) I am trying to figure out the actual Hebrew letters which describe it. Blessings, Kathryn
Hi Kathryn,

Yes, it is a genuine Hebrew word that probably comes from tzeetz which means "blossom" or "flower" or "ornament" (Strong 6731) The "tz" is used to represent the 18th letter Tzaddi. It's a sharp "ts" or "tz" sound like at the end of hte word "it's." It's spelled with either one or two Yods:

Tzaddi Yod Tzaddi Yod Tav, or Tzaddi Yod Tzaddi Tav

Here is the definition from Strongs:

ציצת tsiytsith {tsee-tseeth'} from 06731; TWOT - 1912; n f AV - fringe 3, lock 1; 4 1) fringe, tassel, lock
As pointed out by yinonyavo, God used it in Numbers 15:39 as part of His command for the Jews to add a "fringe" to their garments to remember His commands.

Hope that helps!

Richard

[kathryn]

Thanks Bro!! It sure does! Blessings, Kath