חַצֲצֹן תָּמָר (chats.tson ta.mar)
chats.tson ta.mar
Hazazon-tamar
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The name Hazazon-tamar translates to "dividing the date-palm," identifying a specific settlement in the desert region of Judah. This location is explicitly equated with Engedi, another well-known site near the Dead Sea. The term appears only twice in Scripture, serving as an alternative designation for this oasis town.
Its occurrence in Genesis 14:7 highlights the area’s strategic and resource-rich nature during the conflicts of the patriarchal era. By linking Hazazon-tamar directly to Engedi, the text underscores that this was a settled place capable of supporting significant activity, rather than an empty wilderness spot. The name itself evokes the agricultural reality of the region, where date palms were a vital source of sustenance and trade.
The second mention in 2 Chronicles 20:10 places the site in the memory of Judah’s enemies, who recall it as a place they once inhabited or threatened. This dual reference anchors the name in both ancient history and later national consciousness, reminding readers that even remote desert locations played roles in the broader biblical narrative.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Hazazon-tamar, meaning 'dividing the date-palm,' names a specific oasis near the Dead Sea that Scripture equates with Engedi. This was not an empty wilderness but a settled place where water and food sustained life in a harsh landscape. The name itself evokes the agricultural reality of the region, where date palms provided vital sustenance and trade opportunities for those who lived there.
In Genesis 14:7, this location appears during the conflicts of the patriarchal era, highlighting its strategic value and resource-rich nature. Later, in 2 Chronicles 20:2, it serves as a marker in the memory of Judah’s enemies, recalling a time when they threatened or inhabited this oasis. These brief mentions anchor the site in both ancient history and later national consciousness.
Even remote desert locations played roles in the broader biblical narrative, reminding us that God’s providence extends to every corner of the earth. Whether in times of conflict or peace, these places testify to the enduring presence of God’s provision and protection for His people.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Tamar2×
- in/ Hazezon1×
- [are] in/ Hazezon1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תָּמָֽר\׃1×
- תָּמָ֔ר1×
- בְּ/חַֽצְצֹ֥ן1×
- בְּ/חַֽצְצ֣וֹן1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 14:7
They returned, and came to En Mishpat (also called Kadesh), and struck all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that lived in Hazazon Tamar.
This verse identifies Hazazon-tamar as a strategic location inhabited by the Amorites, highlighting its role in the broader narrative of patriarchal conflicts.
-
II Chronicles 20:2
Then some came who told Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea from Syria. Behold, they are in Hazazon Tamar” (that is, En Gedi).
Here, Hazazon-tamar is explicitly equated with En Gedi, serving as a geographical marker for enemies approaching Judah, underscoring its significance in national memory.