from זָמַם; intriguing; a Zamzumite, or native tribe of Palestine; Zamzummim.
Transliteration:Zamzôm
Pronunciation:zam-zome'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term H2157, זַמְזֹם (Zamzôm), refers to a specific ancient people group, the Zamzummim. Its etymological root is derived from the verb זָמַם (zamam), `{{H2161}}`, which carries the primary meaning "to plot," "to devise," "to purpose," often with a connotation of evil intent or malicious scheming. Thus, the name "Zamzôm" itself might imply "intriguing ones" or "plotters," suggesting a characteristic associated with this tribe. However, in its sole biblical occurrence, the word functions as a proper noun, identifying a particular group of inhabitants in Transjordan. The semantic range is therefore narrow, centered on this specific tribal identity, yet subtly colored by the potential implications of its root meaning regarding their nature or reputation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term Zamzummim (H2157) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the book of Deuteronomy.
* [[Deuteronomy 2:20-21]]: "That also was accounted a land of Rephaim; Rephaim formerly dwelt in it, but the Ammonites called them Zamzummim, a people great and many, and tall as the Anakim. But the LORD destroyed them before them, and they dispossessed them and dwelt in their place."
In this passage, Moses is recounting the history of Israel's journey and God's providential ordering of the lands around them. He explains that just as God gave Israel the land of Canaan by dispossessing its inhabitants, so too He had previously given the land of the Zamzummim to the Ammonites. The text explicitly links the Zamzummim with the Rephaim, an ancient, formidable, and often giant-like race. They are described as "great and many, and tall as the Anakim," emphasizing their imposing stature and strength. The crucial detail is that "the LORD destroyed them before them," indicating divine intervention in the Ammonites' conquest. This serves as a theological parallel and precedent for Israel's own divinely-ordained conquest of Canaan, highlighting God's sovereignty over all nations and their territories.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of H2157 is enriched by its connections to several other significant biblical terms and concepts:
* **Root Verb:** The primary related word is זָמַם (zamam), `{{H2161}}`, from which Zamzôm is derived. This root's meaning of "to plot" or "to devise (evil)" could subtly inform our understanding of the Zamzummim's character, suggesting they were a people known for their cunning or hostile intentions.
* **Rephaim (רְפָאִים):** The text explicitly states that the Zamzummim were considered a branch of the Rephaim. The Rephaim were an ancient, powerful race of giants who inhabited various parts of Canaan and Transjordan (e.g., [[Genesis 14:5]], [[Joshua 12:4]]). This connection places the Zamzummim within a broader category of formidable, pre-Israelite inhabitants.
* **Anakim (עֲנָקִים):** The Zamzummim are described as "tall as the Anakim." The Anakim, `{{H6062}}`, were a renowned subgroup of the Rephaim, famous for their immense stature, who instilled fear in the Israelite spies ([[Numbers 13:33]]). This comparison underscores the daunting physical presence of the Zamzummim.
* **Emim (אֵמִים):** In a parallel account in [[Deuteronomy 2:10-11]], Moses mentions the Emim, `{{H368}}`, another Rephaim group dispossessed by the Moabites, described in almost identical terms ("a people great and many, and tall as the Anakim"). This reinforces the pattern of God's sovereign hand in dispossessing these ancient giant races.
* **Divine Dispossession:** The concept of God "destroying" and "dispossessing" these native inhabitants is central. This theme recurs throughout Deuteronomy, affirming God's right to allocate land and remove peoples who have filled up the measure of their iniquity.
### Theological Significance
The single mention of the Zamzummim carries significant theological weight, primarily serving to underscore God's absolute sovereignty and providential governance over the nations.
1. **Divine Sovereignty over Nations:** The account in [[Deuteronomy 2:20-21]] clearly states that "the LORD destroyed them before them [the Ammonites]." This demonstrates that God's power and authority extend beyond Israel to all peoples and territories. He orchestrates the rise and fall of nations, giving and taking away lands as He wills. This pre-Israelite example of divine dispossession sets a precedent and validates Israel's own upcoming conquest of Canaan as a divinely sanctioned act, not merely a military takeover.
2. **Justice and Judgment:** While the specific reasons for the Zamzummim's dispossession are not detailed, their association with the Rephaim, often linked to ancient, powerful, and potentially corrupt societies, aligns with the broader biblical narrative of God's judgment on wicked nations. Their removal can be seen as an act of divine justice, clearing the land for a new inhabitant, the Ammonites.
3. **God's Faithfulness to His Plan:** By securing a land for the Ammonites, God demonstrates His faithfulness to His broader designs for humanity, even concerning those outside the direct Abrahamic covenant. This act is part of His comprehensive plan for the world, ensuring that each nation's boundaries and existence are ultimately determined by Him.
4. **The Formidability of the Opponent:** The description of the Zamzummim as "great and many, and tall as the Anakim" emphasizes the formidable nature of the peoples God dispossesses. This highlights the miraculous power of God, who enables relatively weaker nations (like the Ammonites, and later Israel) to overcome such mighty adversaries. It reinforces the idea that victory comes not from human strength but from divine intervention.
### Summary
H2157, זַמְזֹם (Zamzôm), refers to the Zamzummim, an ancient, formidable tribe described in [[Deuteronomy 2:20-21]]. Derived from a root meaning "to plot" or "intrigue," their name may reflect a perceived characteristic. They are explicitly identified as a branch of the Rephaim, a race known for their great stature, being compared to the Anakim. Their sole biblical appearance serves as a powerful theological statement: God, in His absolute sovereignty, dispossessed this mighty people before the Ammonites, just as He would later dispossess the inhabitants of Canaan before Israel. This account underscores themes of divine control over the destinies of nations, the justice of God's judgments, and the miraculous nature of His interventions in history, demonstrating that victory ultimately belongs to the Lord.
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