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צָמַת (tsa.mat)

tsa.mat

to destroy

H6789 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 10 verses

H:V

Quick Reference

Language
Biblical Hebrew
Testament
Old Testament
Occurrences
10 verses
Root
—
Part of speech
H:V

Word Overview

The Hebrew verb tsa.mat signifies a thorough and final removal, carrying meanings such as to destroy, cut off, or extinguish. It appears ten times in the Old Testament, primarily within the poetic books of Psalms, Job, and Lamentations. The word describes an action that leaves no remainder, effectively putting an end to existence or presence.

Its usage ranges from describing the cessation of life to the elimination of a people or object. In Lamentations 1:5, for instance, it conveys how enemies have "cut off" or destroyed the strength of Israel, emphasizing total defeat rather than mere injury. The verb’s force lies in its finality; it is not a wounding but an ending.

Grammatically, tsa.mat functions across several stems to show both active destruction and passive annihilation. This versatility allows Scripture to depict divine judgment with stark clarity, portraying the complete erasure of what was once present. Translators often render it as "destroy" or "exterminate," capturing the absolute nature of the act without softening its severity.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The Hebrew word tsamat carries the weight of finality. It does not describe a temporary setback or a wound that might heal; it speaks of total removal and cessation. When Scripture uses this term, it paints a picture of something being completely cut off, leaving no remainder. This stark language appears in places like Lamentations, where the destruction of strength is described with heartbreaking clarity.

For the believer, understanding this word offers a sobering perspective on justice and divine sovereignty. It reminds us that actions have consequences and that evil does not go unnoticed forever. Yet, it also highlights the contrast between the fate of the wicked and the preservation of those who trust in God. The same power that can bring about total destruction is the source of ultimate order and justice.

While the imagery of being cut off can feel distant or abstract, it grounds our hope in a God who sees all things clearly. We do not need to seek vengeance or worry about the final outcome of injustice. Our peace comes from knowing that God’s judgment is precise, His justice is sure, and His care for His people is steadfast against every threat.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 10 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • he will destroy/ them2×
  • I will destroy2×
  • you will destroy1×
  • you destroy1×
  • they destroyed1×
  • they are silenced1×
  • it has destroyed/ me1×
  • and/ I destroyed/ them1×
  • I have been destroyed1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • תַּצְמִ֪ית1×
  • צָֽמְת֤וּ1×
  • צִמְּתַ֥תְ/נִי1×
  • נִצְמָ֑תוּ1×
  • נִ֭צְמַתִּי1×
  • יַצְמִיתֵ֑/ם1×
  • יַ֝צְמִיתֵ֗/ם1×
  • וָ/אַצְמִיתֵֽ/ם\׃1×
  • הִ֝צְמַ֗תָּה1×
  • אַצְמִ֥ית1×
  • אַ֫צְמִ֥ית1×

Key Verses

  • II Samuel 22:41
    You have also made my enemies turn their backs to me, that I might cut off those who hate me.

    This verse illustrates the active side of the verb, where David describes God enabling him to cut off his enemies, showing divine empowerment in conflict.

  • Psalms 73:27
    For, behold, those who are far from you shall perish. You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to you.

    Here the word emphasizes the inevitable end for those far from God, linking spiritual distance with ultimate destruction.

  • Psalms 101:8
    Morning by morning, I will destroy all the wicked of the land, to cut off all the workers of iniquity from Yahweh’s city.

    The king declares a commitment to destroy the wicked, using this term to express a decisive and thorough removal of iniquity from the community.

  • Lamentations 3:53
    They have cut off my life in the dungeon, and have cast a stone on me.

    In this context of suffering, the word describes how enemies cut off life in a dungeon, highlighting the brutal finality of human cruelty.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Hebrew word tsa.mat mean?

It means to destroy, cut off, or extinguish completely. It implies a final action that leaves no remainder, often used in the Old Testament to describe divine judgment or total defeat.

How is tsa.mat different from other words for 'destroy'?

While other Hebrew verbs might imply damage or temporary loss, tsa.mat emphasizes finality and cessation. It suggests that what was present is now entirely gone, with no possibility of return.

Where does this word appear in the Bible?

It appears ten times in the Old Testament, primarily in Psalms, Job, Lamentations, and II Samuel. These passages often reflect on judgment, suffering, or God's justice.

Every Occurrence (10 verses across 4 books)

II Samuel 1 verse
II Samuel 22:41

You have also made my enemies turn their backs to me, that I might cut off those who hate me.

Job 2 verses
Psalms 6 verses
Lamentations 1 verse