עֶ֫צֶם (e.tsem)
e.tsem
Ezem
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The noun etsem primarily means "bone," serving as the standard Hebrew term for the skeletal structure of humans and animals. It appears in various contexts, from describing physical remains to functioning as a metaphor for kinship or essential nature, such as when one person is called "bone of my bones" to indicate close familial relation.
However, this specific Strong’s entry (H6107) refers to a proper noun: a place name. Etsem was a city located in the Negeb region of Judah. The biblical record notes its allocation to the tribe of Simeon during the distribution of the land in Joshua 15:32 and lists it again in the territorial records of 1 Chronicles 4:31.
With only three occurrences in the entire Hebrew Bible, all tied to this geographical location, the word’s significance here is historical rather than lexical. It marks a specific settlement in the southern territory, illustrating how common nouns were sometimes repurposed as place names in ancient Israel.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word etsem usually describes physical bones or deep kinship, yet here it marks a specific place in the Negeb region of Judah. This shift from body to land reminds us that God’s care extends to every corner of our inheritance. Even small settlements like Ezem were carefully recorded when the tribes received their portions.
For your faith, this detail highlights the precision of God’s promises. He did not overlook any territory or family during the distribution of the land. When you read these lists, remember that God knows the names of places and people with exactness. His provision is detailed and intentional.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Ezem2×
- and/ in/ Ezem1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וָ/עָֽצֶם\׃2×
- וּ/בְ/עֶ֖צֶם1×
Key Verses
-
Joshua 15:29
Baalah, Iim, Ezem,
This verse lists Ezem among the cities of the Negeb assigned to Judah, showing its role in the southern boundary inheritance.
-
Joshua 19:3
Hazar Shual, Balah, Ezem,
Here Ezem appears again as part of Simeon’s allotment, illustrating how tribal boundaries overlapped or shared specific settlements.
-
I Chronicles 4:29
at Bilhah, at Ezem, at Tolad,
The chronicler repeats this location to reaffirm the historical reality of Simeon’s territory during the post-exilic restoration records.