### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun H2162 (זָמָם, zâmâm) derives directly from the verbal root H2161 (זָמַם, zâmam), which signifies "to plan," "to devise," or "to purpose," often carrying a negative connotation of malicious intent. As a noun, H2162 therefore refers to the *product* or *result* of such devising: a plot, a wicked device, an evil scheme, or a mischievous design. The core meaning emphasizes a premeditated and morally corrupt intention or plan, distinguishing it from spontaneous or accidental wrongdoing. It speaks to the deliberate nature of wickedness, where harm or unrighteousness is conceived and prepared in advance.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term H2162 (זָמָם) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, which underscores its precise and potent meaning within that singular context.
* **[[Proverbs 12:2]]:** "A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but a man of wicked devices [זָמָם] He condemns."
* In this proverb, H2162 is used to characterize a specific type of individual: one whose inner life is marked by the conception of evil. The "man of wicked devices" is presented in stark contrast to the "good man" who receives divine favor. This juxtaposition highlights that God's assessment and judgment encompass not only outward actions but also the hidden intentions and plans of the heart. The condemnation pronounced upon such a man indicates the gravity of plotting evil, signifying that it is an affront to God and leads to severe consequences. The verse thus emphasizes the moral responsibility for one's thoughts and designs, indicating that they are as significant in God's eyes as overt deeds.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding H2162 (זָמָם) is enhanced by examining related Hebrew terms that convey similar or complementary ideas of planning and intent, both good and evil:
* **H2161 (זָמַם, zâmam):** The verbal root of H2162, meaning "to plot" or "to devise." Its usage often implies a negative or hostile intent, such as plotting against the righteous ([[Psalm 31:13]]) or devising evil ([[Psalm 17:3]]). H2162 is the concrete outcome of this verb.
* **H4209 (מַחֲשָׁבָה, machashavah):** This broader term means "thought," "plan," or "device." While it can be neutral or even positive (e.g., God's plans, [[Jeremiah 29:11]]), it frequently describes human thoughts and intentions, often in a negative sense, referring to evil thoughts or plots ([[Genesis 6:5]], [[Psalm 33:10]]). H2162 represents a specific, particularly malicious form of *machashavah*.
* **H2154 (מְזִמָּה, mezimmah):** Also derived from the root H2161, this noun can mean "discretion" or "prudence" in a positive context ([[Proverbs 1:4]]), but more commonly denotes "wicked device," "evil scheme," or "villainy" ([[Proverbs 24:9]]). While very close in meaning to H2162, H2154 might carry a broader sense of moral depravity or the act of devising, whereas H2162 specifically points to the concrete, wicked plot itself.
* **H7451 (רָע, ra'):** The foundational Hebrew term for "evil," "wickedness," or "calamity." H2162 describes a particular manifestation of *ra'* in the form of premeditated malice.
* **H205 (אָוֶן, 'awen):** Signifies "trouble," "sorrow," "wickedness," or "iniquity." It often refers to acts of injustice or moral corruption. A "wicked device" is a form of H205.
### Theological Significance
Despite its solitary occurrence in the biblical text, H2162 (זָמָם) in [[Proverbs 12:2]] conveys profound theological truths, especially within the wisdom tradition:
* **Divine Scrutiny of the Heart:** The condemnation of the "man of wicked devices" reveals that God's judgment penetrates beyond outward actions to the innermost intentions and plans of the human heart. This aligns with the consistent biblical emphasis on the heart as the wellspring of life and the true locus of moral responsibility ([[Proverbs 4:23]], [[Matthew 15:19]]). It teaches that purity of heart, including one's hidden designs, is paramount before God.
* **The Nature of Premeditated Sin:** H2162 highlights a particularly grievous form of sin: premeditated malice. It is not an impulsive act or a sin of weakness, but a deliberate, calculated design to do harm or achieve unrighteous ends. Such a "plot" demonstrates a hardened will and a heart set on rebellion against divine righteousness.
* **Moral Dichotomy:** The proverb's sharp contrast between the "good man" and the "man of wicked devices" underscores the fundamental moral dichotomy presented throughout Scripture. There is no neutral ground; one's intentions either align with God's righteous character, leading to favor, or they deviate into evil plotting, leading to condemnation.
* **Human Accountability:** The term underscores human accountability for their inner world. Individuals are held responsible not only for their words and deeds but also for the schemes and plots they conceive in their minds. This calls for a constant vigilance over one's thoughts and a cultivation of righteous intentions, as wisdom literature frequently exhorts.
### Summary
The Hebrew word H2162 (זָמָם, zâmâm) signifies a "plot" or "wicked device," derived from the verb H2161 (זָמַם) meaning "to devise" with negative intent. Its sole appearance in the Old Testament, found in [[Proverbs 12:2]], is highly significant: "A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but a man of wicked devices [זָמָם] He condemns." This singular usage powerfully conveys that God's judgment extends beyond observable actions to the hidden intentions and premeditated evil schemes of the heart. H2162 thus represents a particularly insidious form of sin—deliberate, malicious planning—underscoring the profound biblical emphasis on the moral significance of one's inner thoughts and designs, and serving as a solemn reminder of human accountability for the very core of their being.
TRV