צִמָּאוֹן (tsim.ma.on)
tsim.ma.on
parched
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun tsimmā’ôn describes parched, arid land that has lost its moisture. It appears only three times in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in Psalms 107:33, Isaiah 41:18, and Deuteronomy 29:23. In each instance, the word depicts a landscape defined by its lack of water, serving as a stark image of desolation.
While often translated simply as "thirsty ground," the term carries a heavier weight than dry soil. It suggests land that is so deprived it cannot sustain life, reflecting the curse described in Deuteronomy where fertile fields turn into salt flats and ash. The prophets use this imagery to contrast God’s provision with human judgment.
This rare word highlights the severity of spiritual and physical barrenness. When Isaiah promises streams in the wilderness (Isaiah 41:18), he is directly addressing the reality of tsimmā’ôn. The transformation from such parched earth to flowing water underscores the power of divine intervention to restore what seems permanently dead.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word tsimmā’ôn paints a picture of land so dry it cannot support life. It is more than just arid soil; it represents a complete lack of moisture and hope. In Deuteronomy, this imagery warns of the consequences of turning away from God, where fertile fields become barren wastelands. This stark contrast reminds us that true life depends on divine provision.
Yet, this word also highlights the power of God’s restoration. Isaiah promises that He can turn thirsty ground into springs of water. This transformation shows that no situation is too dry for God to bring life. When we feel spiritually parched, we can trust in His ability to refresh our souls.
This rare term invites us to look beyond our current circumstances. It assures us that even the most desolate places can become sources of living water through God’s intervention. We are invited to rest in the hope that He will provide for our deepest needs.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ thirsty ground2×
- into/ thirsty ground1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/צִמָּא֖וֹן2×
- לְ/צִמָּאֽוֹן\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Deuteronomy 8:15
who led you through the great and terrible wilderness, with venomous snakes and scorpions, and thirsty ground where there was no water; who poured water for you out of the rock of flint;
This verse uses tsimmā’ôn to describe the perilous wilderness journey, emphasizing God’s miraculous provision of water from flint when none seemed available.
-
Psalms 107:33
He turns rivers into a desert, water springs into a thirsty ground,
Here, the word illustrates divine judgment as God turns once-fertile rivers into barren desert, showing His sovereignty over creation.
-
Isaiah 35:7
The burning sand will become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water. Grass with reeds and rushes will be in the habitation of jackals, where they lay.
This promise of restoration contrasts sharply with the desolation of tsimmā’ôn, depicting how God transforms barren land into life-giving pools.