צְמָרַיִם (tse.ma.ra.yim)
tse.ma.ra.yim
(Mount) Zemaraim
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The Hebrew word tsemarayim refers to Mount Zemaraim, a specific geographical location mentioned in the biblical narrative. Its name translates literally as "double fleece," likely describing the mountain’s physical appearance or perhaps its dual peaks, evoking the image of wool ready for harvest.
This place appears in only two verses, both within the Book of Joshua. It is noted as part of the territory assigned to the tribe of Benjamin, situated within the broader region of Ephraim. The sources identify it simply as a hill or mountain, grounding its significance in the concrete reality of land distribution rather than abstract theology.
While the etymology suggests a pastoral image, the word’s primary function in Scripture is topographical. It serves to mark boundaries and inheritances during the settlement of Canaan. Translators typically render it as "Mount Zemaraim," preserving the proper name without attempting to translate the descriptive element into English, which keeps the focus on its identity as a specific landmark 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 name Zemaraim, meaning "double fleece," paints a vivid picture of the land God gave to His people. In Joshua, this location marked the boundary for the tribe of Benjamin, anchoring their inheritance in a specific place with a tangible identity. It reminds us that God’s promises are not abstract ideas but concrete realities rooted in history and geography.
Centuries later, King Abijah stood on this same hill to address the nation during a time of division. His presence there connected the spiritual struggle of Israel to the physical land they inhabited. This shows how places in Scripture often hold deeper significance than mere coordinates; they become stages for faith and decision.
When we read about such specific locations, we are invited to see God’s care for detail. He knows the names of mountains and the stories that unfold on them. This attention to place encourages us to trust that He is present in every part of our lives, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant they may appear.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Zemaraim1×
- Zemaraim1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- צְמָרַ֔יִם1×
- וּ/צְמָרַ֖יִם1×
Key Verses
-
Joshua 18:22
Beth Arabah, Zemaraim, Bethel,
This verse lists Zemaraim as a boundary marker for Benjamin's inheritance, grounding the tribe's identity in a specific geographical reality.
-
II Chronicles 13:4
Abijah stood up on Mount Zemaraim, which is in the hill country of Ephraim, and said, “Hear me, Jeroboam and all Israel:
Abijah’s choice to speak from this hill connects the spiritual conflict of the divided kingdom to the physical landscape of Ephraim.