Lexical Summary tsechichi: Parched, dry Original Word: צְחִיחִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance higher place From tschiyach; bare spot, i.e. In the glaring sun -- higher place. see HEBREW tschiyach NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originsee tsachiach. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Imagery צְחִיחִי depicts a spot that is laid bare, an open stretch where natural protection is absent. In the single biblical occurrence the term evokes vulnerability—portions of Jerusalem’s wall left uncovered and unfortified. The picture is of ground so exposed that the enemy could rush straight in unless defenders were posted there. Biblical Occurrence Nehemiah 4:13: “So I stationed men behind the lowest points of the wall, the exposed areas, posting them by families with their swords, spears, and bows.” Historical Setting The year is approximately 445 BC. Nehemiah has returned from Persia with royal permission to rebuild Jerusalem’s shattered defenses. Opposition from surrounding governors (Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites) mounts as construction progresses. Their combined threats make every gap in the wall a potential breach. צְחִיחִי pinpoints those weak spots where a hostile force could burst through and halt the restoration of the covenant city. Nehemiah’s response—placing armed families directly in front of the exposed ground—reveals both his strategic acumen and his conviction that God’s people must actively guard what God has entrusted to them. Strategic Significance 1. Assessing Reality: Before assigning labor, Nehemiah walks the length of the wall at night (Nehemiah 2:15). He sees the צְחִיחִי for himself, teaching leaders today to evaluate vulnerabilities honestly. Theological Themes • Vulnerability and Watchfulness: Scripture repeatedly calls God’s people to shore up breaches (Ezekiel 13:5; Isaiah 58:12). צְחִיחִי illustrates the truth that spiritual negligence invites attack, whereas alertness preserves covenant blessing. Ministry Applications 1. Identify the Exposed Places: Churches and households should conduct honest assessments—doctrinal gaps, neglected prayer, unguarded relationships—where an adversary could exploit weakness. Christological Reflection Every exposed place in ancient Jerusalem anticipated the ultimate Defender. Jesus Christ stood in the gap no one else could fill (Isaiah 59:16), bearing the assault of sin and death on the cross. In Him believers find the perfect wall of salvation; yet until His return, the pattern modeled in Nehemiah—faith expressed through watchful obedience—remains the mandate. Summary צְחִיחִי, though occurring only once, captures a perennial reality: God’s people live amid threats that exploit whatever is left unguarded. Nehemiah’s swift action at the exposed places of Jerusalem’s wall calls every generation to discern its own vulnerabilities, stand together in faith and readiness, and trust the Lord who both commands vigilance and provides ultimate security. Forms and Transliterations בַּצְּחִיחִ֑ים בצחיחים baṣ·ṣə·ḥî·ḥîm baṣṣəḥîḥîm batztzechiChimLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Nehemiah 4:13 HEB: [בַּצְּחִחִיִּים כ] (בַּצְּחִיחִ֑ים ק) וָֽאַעֲמִ֤יד INT: behind the wall higher place stationed the people 1 Occurrence |