צָמֵא (tsa.me)
tsa.me
to thirst
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 8 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Definition
Definition
Brown-Driver-Briggs
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word tsame captures a raw, physical need that quickly becomes spiritual when we consider God’s provision. In Exodus 17, the Israelites’ thirst leads to complaint, showing how easily desperation can turn into doubt. Yet even in that moment of crisis, God provides water from the rock, reminding us that He meets our deepest needs.
This word appears in Psalms and Prophets to describe a longing for God Himself. When Isaiah speaks of servants who will not thirst, he points to a future where God’s presence satisfies every lack. For you, this means your struggles are seen, and your longing for peace is known by the One who leads you beside still waters.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 8 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- you will be thirsty1×
- they will be thirsty1×
- they were thirsty1×
- and/ you will be thirsty1×
- and/ they were thirsty1×
- and/ it was thirsty1×
- and/ he was thirsty1×
- I am thirsty1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תִּצְמָ֑אוּ1×
- צָמֵ֑אתִי1×
- צָמְא֗וּ1×
- יִצְמָ֔אוּ1×
- וַ/יִּצְמָא֮1×
- וַ/יִּצְמָֽאוּ\׃1×
- וַ/יִּצְמָ֨א1×
- וְ/צָמִ֗ת1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 17:3
The people were thirsty for water there; so the people murmured against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us, our children, and our livestock with thirst?”
This verse shows how physical thirst can trigger spiritual doubt, revealing the human tendency to question God’s care in moments of crisis.
-
Isaiah 48:21
They didn’t thirst when he led them through the deserts. He caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them. He also split the rock and the waters gushed out.
Here, the absence of thirst highlights God’s miraculous provision, showing that He sustains His people even in the most barren circumstances.
-
Isaiah 49:10
They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun strike them, for he who has mercy on them will lead them. He will guide them by springs of water.
This promise assures believers that God’s mercy removes both hunger and thirst, offering complete spiritual and physical restoration.