Hebrew word · Strong's H6680

צָוָה

tsâvâh · tsaw-vaw' · verb · “to command”

In a sentence

Tsavah means to command — the verb behind mitzvah («commandment»). God commands creation into being and commands his people in love.

Tsavah is to give a command — formal, authoritative. It is the verb behind God's commandments (mitzvot) at Sinai, and his commission of Joshua to be strong and courageous.

Even before Sinai, God tsavah the man in the garden (Genesis 2:16). He commands not as a tyrant but as the source of life: his commands are «for our good always.»

Strong's reference

Definition: (intensively) to constitute, enjoin

KJV usage: appoint, (for-) bid, (give a) charge, (give a, give in, send with) command(-er, -ment), send a messenger, put, (set) in order.

Reference gloss from Strong's Concordance (1890, public domain).

Key verses BSB · Public Domain (CC0)

Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”” Genesis 2:16 “And the LORD God commanded him, “You may eat freely from every tree of the garden,”

Original BibleDawn word study. Original-language data and the public-domain Strong's (1890) gloss are referenced; see sources.