Hebrew Word Study – Enemy – Tsarar  צרר  Sade Resh Resh

Psalm 23:5:  “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.”

So, God prepares a table for an opportunity to negotiate with your enemies to try and resolve your conflicts without violence or at the very least the loss of a relationship. To really understand this passage, however, we need to know just what type of enemy we are talking about. 

There are basically three words in the Hebrew that are commonly used for an enemy, oyeb, sane’, and tsarar.  There are other words such as sharar which in a certain context means to watch in the sense of watching for an opportunity to attack and qum which means to resist in the context of resisting someone who is attacking you.  However, these are not direct words for an enemy but implied by the context.  

Sane’ is used in Numbers 10:35 for the English word hate enemies: “And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, LORD, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee..”  The Jewish sages teach that the word sane’ is onomatopoeic ie., it sounds like what it is.  The word sane’ has a hissing sound like a snake or serpent.  Those who “hate God” or “sane’ God” could well be a reference to the devil (serpent or dragon) and his demons who is our ultimate enemy.  James 4:7 tells us to resist the devil and he will flee from us.  

David often uses the word ‘oveb for an enemy, which really means to hate. This is one who seeks to harm you out of pure hatred.  Then there is the word tsari from the root word tsarar which is an enemy in the disguise of a friend. ‘Oveb and tsari are often used together for one who acts like a friend but secretly hates you and seeks to destroy you. It could be a friend, advisor, co-worker or relative, anyone who seeks to harm you or even hold you back from accomplishing your goals in some way.  A tsari is an enemy who may not really hate you but may be jealous or envious or you and will seek to disrupt any attempts you make to succeed in your endeavor. They may seem very helpful and encouraging while all along they are secretly sabotaging your efforts to reach your goal.  Tsari basically means to cause you trouble   But it is an interesting type of trouble.  It is interesting that David would use the word tsari rather than ‘oveb. He is not talking about an enemy who hates you and seeks to harm you. But one who is seeking to cause you trouble that will disrupt your life such you are unable to accomplish your goals.

If we trace this word to its Semitic root we find it is  TS-R which comes from the Akkadian word for a knife made of flint.  I mean really, what kind of enemy uses a flint knife?  This must clearly be a poetic picture. You have a close friend or advisor seeking to harm or hold you back with a flint knife.  

Now you are in my territory as we are faced with an Archeological problem.  First, we must remember, that this Psalm was written in the Middle-Eastern Bronze Age.  Archaeologists divide ancient history into three epochs, the Stone Age, the Bronze Age, and the Iron Age.   Knives made of flint would be found in the Stone Age which eventually gave way to various forms of metal during the Bronze Age when man began to experiment with metallurgy and then perfect it into tools and weapons. Of course, knives made of metal were much sharper and deadlier than knives made of flint.  Yet, archaeologists have dug up flint knives that date to the Bronze Age. Why bother is a dull knife of flint when you can have one of sharp metal?  Archaeologists have concluded that the flint knives were used for ceremonial purposes.  

You might remember the story of Elijah and the showdown between Elijah and the priest of Baal.  The true God would send fire from heaven to light an altar.  Being the gentleman that Elijah was, he allowed the priest Baal to go first where they danced and called upon their god to send down fire. According to the Bible in I Kings 18:28: “And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.” Note it says “after their manner.”  This means that this was a common practice for the priest when calling upon their god for favors.  Archeologists have found such knives and lancets in the Middle East near the temples and places of pagan worship. These instruments were all made of flint.  That way when they go through their ceremonies and they do slip up and cut themselves the wound would not be lethal as it would likely be if they used metal instruments. Cutting themselves with flint knives might draw blood, but like in a Hockey game, not really intentional, it is a risk and after all, it makes for good entertainment.  However, you don’t want to cripple or inflict a mortal wound on your opponent so there are safeguards.  A flint knife was such an ancient safeguard.  Like a wounded football player who wipes his face with a “white towel,” it is always a “white towel” so people can see the bloodstains, he leaves the field a hero.  As a priest would leave the ceremony with his badge of honor. 

So I ask what type of enemy would use a flint knife or ceremonial knife. I asked my study partner and I agree with her conclusion.  What David faced were friends or advisors who were giving him bad advice. Note that in the very next verse David says he trusted in God’s mercy.  This is not a fear for personal safety nor is he threatened by an enemy who wishes to kill him, he is threatened by an enemy who poses as a friend and/or advisor seeking to steer him in the wrong direction. My study partner gave a good example. It is someone in your church who feels he or she has a gift of giving advice or counsel and tells you: “Well, I am just telling you this in love, you really need to stop dreaming about being a teacher or preacher and just do a good job cleaning the church after each service.”  The tsari in this case is someone who could care less about your spiritual gifts and more about getting someone to clean the church so they don’t have to do it themselves and they appeal to your spiritual side to do it.  They make you feel guilty, they are the manipulators.  They may even recognize your gifts and are jealous and will try to guilt you into not using your gifts.  They seek to prevail over your calling and rejoice when you appear to be moved or slipping into buying their lies.  “Sure, you can teach a class, but first you must prove your dedication by doing little things. Prove you are humble and one of us.” Many of these people end up spending their lives doing little things and somehow the tsari forgets to give that person the chance to teach. 

What can happen and how the enemy can use this is to make one bitter. “I’ve had it with this church, they don’t appreciate my gifts. Only those in the pastor’s circle, those with the greasy palms ever get the choice jobs.  Well, I will show them.”  Too many Christians will just up and leave a church without ever making their feelings known. Maybe sitting down with that pastor and explaining your heart’s desire in ministry to him might have an effect.  Perhaps God will prepare a table before you in the presence of you tsari who is holding you back. It is something to consider. 

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