Word Study for H2156 (זְמוֹרָה)

zᵉmôwrâh /zem-o-raw'/ Ask about this word

Rootor זְמֹרָה (feminine) · and זְמֹר (masculine) · from זָמַר

Meaninga twig (as pruned)

KJV usagevine, branch, slip.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of zᵉmôwrâh — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word zᵉmôwrâh, represented by H2156, refers to a twig (as pruned), vine, branch, or slip. It appears 5 times across 5 unique verses in the Bible. The term derives from a root meaning "to prune," highlighting its identity as a cutting taken from a larger vine.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The usage of H2156 varies significantly, illustrating both divine blessing and judgment. In its first appearance, it represents the bounty of the promised land, where spies cut down a branch heavy with a cluster of grapes Numbers 13:23. However, it is also used to symbolize worthlessness when detached from its purpose, as when Ezekiel asks what a vine branch is worth compared to the wood of other trees Ezekiel 15:2. The term takes on a negative connotation when associated with idolatry, as in the planting of "strange slips" by those who have forgotten God Isaiah 17:10 and the abominable act of putting "the branch to their nose" Ezekiel 8:17. Finally, it signifies ruin when the LORD's judgment mars the "vine branches" of Israel Nahum 2:2.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the agricultural and symbolic context of a branch or slip:

H1612 gephen (a vine): This is the source plant from which a H2156 branch is cut. The health of the vine determines the quality of its branches and fruit Jeremiah 2:21.
H5194 neṭaʻ (a plant): This term is used alongside H2156 to describe things planted. In Isaiah, the "pleasant plants" are contrasted with the "strange slips," connecting the act of planting to spiritual fidelity or unfaithfulness Isaiah 17:10.
H6025 ʻênâb (a grape): This is the fruit that a healthy vine branch is expected to bear. The branch from Eshcol was significant specifically because of its cluster of grapes Numbers 13:23.

Theological Significance

The symbolic weight of H2156 is tied to its relationship with its source and its purpose.

Symbol of Promise: The branch carried by the spies from the brook of Eshcol serves as tangible evidence of the land's extraordinary fruitfulness and the fulfillment of God's promise to Israel Numbers 13:23.
Representation of Israel: The "vine branches" in Nahum directly represent the people of Israel, whose ruin is depicted as a marred vineyard, emptied out by invaders as an act of judgment Nahum 2:2.
Instrument of Idolatry: The term is used to describe objects of apostasy. The "strange slips" represent foreign, unholy influences being planted by a people who have forgotten God Isaiah 17:10, and the branch in Ezekiel is part of a profane ritual that provokes God to anger Ezekiel 8:17.

Summary

In summary, H2156 is more than just an agricultural term. While it literally means a twig or vine branch, its biblical usage portrays a sharp duality. It can represent God's abundant blessing and the fruitfulness of His promises, but it also serves as a potent symbol of judgment, apostasy, and worthlessness when separated from its life-giving source and purpose.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 5 occurrences, inflected in 3 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

זְּמוֹרָה
זְמֹרֵי
זְמֹרַת

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 5 verses across 4 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Ezekiel (2 verses); never once in the other 35.

Numbers

Isaiah

Ezekiel

Nahum

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.