צֹאן
Tzon
Flock, sheep and goats
Tzon (צֹאן) is a Hebrew word meaning “flock, sheep and goats,” pronounced “TSON.” Derived from the root צ-א-ן, tzon appears 270 times in the Hebrew Bible (Strong's H6629).
| Hebrew | צֹאן |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Tzon |
| Pronunciation | TSON |
| Meaning | Flock, sheep and goats |
| Root Letters | צ-א-ן |
| Occurrences in Hebrew Bible | 270× |
| Key Verse | Psalm 100:3 |
| Strong's Number | H6629 |
| Category | Agriculture & Provision |
If the ro'eh (shepherd) is one of the Bible's primary images for God, then tzon (צֹאן) — flock — is its primary image for God's people. Psalm 100:3 makes this explicit: 'We are His people, and the tzon of His pasture.' The Hebrew word tzon refers collectively to sheep and goats — the mixed flock that was the foundation of ancient Israel's pastoral economy. But tzon is far more than agricultural vocabulary. It is the word God uses to express His tender, possessive, protective relationship with His people. Ezekiel 34:31 declares: 'You are my tzon, the tzon of my pasture, and I am your God.' Jesus tells the parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15:4-7), revealing that the Shepherd leaves ninety-nine to find the one. When you understand tzon, you understand your identity: you belong to Someone who knows you by name, leads you to green pastures, and will never abandon a single member of His flock.
Key Bible Verse: Psalm 100:3
“Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep (tzon) of his pasture.”
What Is the Root of Tzon in Hebrew?
Tzon is a collective noun with no clear verbal root, reflecting its ancient origin. It always refers to the flock as a whole — sheep and goats together — rather than individual animals. This collective nature mirrors how God relates to His people: individually known yet community-belonging.
What Does Tzon Mean in the Bible?
Tzon appears over 270 times in the Hebrew Bible. It describes literal flocks (Genesis 4:2, Abel's offering), wealth (Genesis 30:43, Jacob's flocks), God's people (Psalm 74:1, 79:13, 95:7, 100:3), and sacrificial animals (Leviticus 1:2, 5:6).
How Is Tzon Used in Modern Hebrew?
In modern Israel, sheep and goat herding continues in the Negev, Galilee, and Judean hills. The image of the shepherd and flock remains culturally resonant, appearing in Israeli art, music, and literature.
How to Use Tzon in Prayer & Worship
Rest in your identity as part of God's tzon. You are known, led, fed, and protected by the Good Shepherd. If you have wandered, hear His voice calling you back. He leaves the ninety-nine to find you — that is how much you matter to Him.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tzon
How do you say “Flock” in Hebrew?
“Flock” in Hebrew is Tzon (צֹאן), pronounced “TSON.” Tzon is a collective noun with no clear verbal root, reflecting its ancient origin. It always refers to the flock as a whole — sheep and goats together — rather than individual animals. This collective nature mirrors how God relates to His people: individually known yet community-belonging.
What does Tzon mean in the Bible?
Tzon (צֹאן) means “Flock, sheep and goats” in Biblical Hebrew. Tzon appears over 270 times in the Hebrew Bible. It describes literal flocks (Genesis 4:2, Abel's offering), wealth (Genesis 30:43, Jacob's flocks), God's people (Psalm 74:1, 79:13, 95:7, 100:3), and sacrificial animals (Leviticus 1:2, 5:6).
How do you pronounce Tzon?
Tzon is pronounced “TSON.” The word comes from the Hebrew root צ-א-ן.
Why does the Bible compare God's people to sheep?
Sheep are dependent on their shepherd for direction, protection, provision, and rescue. They tend to wander, cannot defend themselves, and need constant care. This honest assessment of human nature — our tendency to go astray (Isaiah 53:6) and our need for a shepherd — is why God chose the tzon metaphor. It's humbling but deeply comforting.
What does it mean to be sheep of God's pasture?
Psalm 100:3 says we are 'the tzon of His pasture.' A pasture is a prepared, safe, nourishing environment. Being God's flock means He has prepared a place for us, He feeds us there, and He guards us. We are not wild animals fending for ourselves — we belong to a Shepherd who has already provided everything we need.
What is the parable of the lost sheep about?
In Luke 15:4-7, Jesus asks: 'Which of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one, does not leave the ninety-nine to go after the lost one?' The parable reveals that God values each individual in His tzon — not just the collective. The Shepherd's joy in finding the one lost sheep mirrors heaven's joy over each sinner who repents.
Sources & Further Study
- Blue Letter Bible — H6629: Tzon
- Bible Gateway — Psalm 100:3 (ESV)
- Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB) — entry for צ-א-ן
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