צָמִיד (tsa.mid)
tsa.mid
bracelet; cover
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun tsa.mid primarily denotes a bracelet, specifically one bound around the wrist. In the Hebrew Bible, it appears in five verses, with significant usage in Genesis and Numbers. This object serves as a tangible marker of status or ownership, often mentioned in lists of valuable goods or personal adornments.
A secondary meaning recorded in the sources is "cover," particularly referring to the lid of a vessel. This usage is found in Numbers 19:15, where it describes the covering of an open container that renders it ceremonially unclean. The distinction between these two meanings relies entirely on context: whether the item is worn on the body or placed upon a receptacle.
The word’s etymology suggests something that binds or encircles, fitting for both a wrist ornament and a vessel lid. Translators typically render it as "bracelet" in most contexts, reserving "cover" only where the immediate setting involves pottery or storage jars. This lexical range highlights how everyday objects carried specific ritual or social weight 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 tsamid appears mostly as a bracelet, a piece of gold worn on the wrist or arm. In Genesis 24, Abraham’s servant gives Rebekah these ornaments to show he comes from a wealthy and faithful family. The gift was not just jewelry; it was a sign of commitment and belonging. When we see this in Scripture, we remember that God often uses tangible things to mark His promises and care for His people.
There is also a secondary meaning: a cover for an open jar. In Numbers 19, an uncovered vessel becomes unclean because it is exposed to impurity. This reminds us that what we allow to touch our hearts matters. Just as the lid protected the contents, guarding our inner life helps keep our faith pure and focused on God.
Whether seen as a mark of honor or a protective cover, this word points to how God values both our identity in Him and the need for spiritual protection. We can trust that He provides what we need and guards what is precious to Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ bracelets1×
- bracelets1×
- and/ the/ bracelets1×
- and/ a bracelet1×
- [is] a cover of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- צָמִ֥יד1×
- צְמִידִים֙1×
- וְ/צָמִ֔יד1×
- וְ/הַ/צְּמִידִ֖ים1×
- הַ/צְּמִדִים֮1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 24:22
As the camels had finished drinking, the man took a golden ring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold,
This verse establishes the bracelet as a significant gift of betrothal, showing its role in confirming a covenant relationship.
-
Numbers 19:15
Every open vessel, which has no covering bound on it, is unclean.
Here the word means 'cover,' highlighting how an open vessel is vulnerable to ritual impurity without protection.
-
Numbers 31:50
We have brought Yahweh’s offering, what every man found: gold ornaments, armlets, bracelets, signet rings, earrings, and necklaces, to make atonement for our souls before Yahweh.”
The Israelites bring bracelets as offerings to atone for their souls, linking personal adornment to spiritual devotion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word tsa.mid mean?
Why is tsa.mid mentioned in Genesis 24?
How is tsa.mid different from other words for jewelry?
Every Occurrence (5 verses across 2 books)
Genesis 3 verses
As the camels had finished drinking, the man took a golden ring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her…
Genesis 24:30When he saw the ring, and the bracelets on his sister’s hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister,…
Genesis 24:47I asked her, and said, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to…