צַמִּים (tsam.mim)
tsam.mim
snare
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun tsammim refers to a snare or trap, likely describing a noose used for hunting. Its exact meaning remains somewhat uncertain among scholars, but the context in Scripture clearly points to a device designed to catch or entangle an animal.
This word appears only twice in the Bible, both times in the book of Job. In Job 18:8 and 18:9, Bildad uses it to describe how wickedness ensnares its perpetrator. The imagery suggests that sin itself becomes a trap, catching the one who practices it.
Though rare, tsammim carries significant theological weight in these passages. It illustrates the self-destructive nature of evil — just as a snare catches prey, so too does wrongdoing ultimately entangle the sinner. This metaphor helps readers understand how moral choices can lead to unintended consequences.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word tsammim describes a snare, a device used to catch animals by entangling them. In Scripture, this image shifts from hunting to human behavior, showing how sin can trap its own practitioner. When we choose paths that harm others or distance ourselves from God, those choices often tighten around us like a noose. The biblical writers use this concrete picture to explain the hidden dangers of wrongdoing.
Job’s friends speak of these snares in moments of despair, yet the text reveals a deeper truth: our actions have consequences we may not see until it is too late. This does not mean God sets traps for His people; rather, it warns that evil carries its own destruction. By recognizing the patterns that lead to entanglement, we can turn toward wisdom and freedom.
May you find clarity in your choices today, walking in ways that bring life rather than restriction. Trust in guidance that leads to peace, and let your steps be steady on the path of integrity.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a snare2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- צַמִּֽים\׃1×
- צַמִּ֣ים1×
Key Verses
-
Job 5:5
whose harvest the hungry eat up, and take it even out of the thorns. The snare gapes for their substance.
This verse links the snare directly to loss of wealth, showing how external threats can arise when one’s resources are left unprotected by righteousness.
-
Job 18:9
A snare will take him by the heel. A trap will catch him.
Here the snare catches the heel, illustrating how sin often traps a person at their most vulnerable point, limiting their movement and freedom.