צָמַד (tsa.mad)
tsa.mad
to join
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb tsa.mad means to bind or join things together tightly. It describes a physical connection that is secure and deliberate, rather than a loose association. In its basic form, it refers to fastening objects, such as hitching animals to a yoke or securing a sword to one’s loins.
The word appears in five verses, often highlighting how people or things are linked. For example, Numbers 25:2 uses it to describe Israelites joining themselves to the worship of Baal Peor, showing how this term can describe serious spiritual allegiance. In Psalm 119:61, it describes ropes binding the psalmist, emphasizing external pressure or constraint.
Its root suggests a firm attachment that involves both action and result. Translators usually render it as "join" or "bind," depending on whether the context is physical or relational. The word carries weight when describing covenantal loyalty or dangerous alliances, making it significant in narratives about faithfulness and compromise.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
This word describes a firm joining, like hitching animals to a yoke or securing a sword for battle. It is not a casual connection but a deliberate act that creates a strong bond. When we see this term in Scripture, it reminds us that our choices create real attachments. We are always linked to something, whether it is a person, a practice, or a spiritual reality.
In Numbers 25, the Israelites joined themselves to Baal Peor, and this alliance brought serious consequences. The text shows how intimate involvement with idolatry affects the whole community. Similarly, in Psalm 106, the people joined themselves to the same idol, eating sacrifices that defiled their covenant with God. These accounts warn us against loose associations that compromise our faith.
Yet this word also speaks of security and readiness. In II Samuel, a sword is fastened securely so it stays in place when needed. This suggests that being joined to God provides stability and purpose. We can trust that He holds us firmly, not by chance, but by His faithful design. May we seek connections that honor Him and reflect His truth.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- who/ have joined themselves1×
- it harnesses1×
- and/ they joined themselves1×
- and/ it joined itself1×
- [was] fastened1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תַּצְמִ֥יד1×
- מְצֻמֶּ֤דֶת1×
- וַ֭/יִּצָּ֣מְדוּ1×
- וַ/יִּצָּ֥מֶד1×
- הַ/נִּצְמָדִ֖ים1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 25:3
Israel joined himself to Baal Peor, and Yahweh’s anger burned against Israel.
This verse shows the word describing a direct spiritual alliance with idolatry that provokes divine anger.
-
II Samuel 20:8
When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa came to meet them. Joab was clothed in his apparel of war that he had put on, and on it was a sash with a sword fastened on his waist in its sheath; and as he went along it fell out.
Here the term refers to physically fastening a sword to its sheath, highlighting security and readiness for action.
-
Psalms 106:28
They joined themselves also to Baal Peor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead.
The psalmist uses this word to recount how Israel joined themselves to Baal Peor, linking their worship to dead idols.