from an unused root meaning properly, to filtrate, i.e. be limpid (comp נִמְרָה and נִמְרִים); and thus to spot or stain as if by dripping; a leopard (from its stripes); leopard.
Transliteration:nâmêr
Pronunciation:naw-mare'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word נָמֵר (nâmêr), Strong's H5246, primarily denotes the "leopard." Its etymological root, though unused in verb form, suggests a meaning related to "filtrating" or "being limpid," which then extends to "spot" or "stain as if by dripping." This etymological insight points directly to the distinctive spotted or mottled coat of the leopard, explaining the animal's nomenclature based on its characteristic markings. Unlike some biblical terms that possess a broad semantic range, נָמֵר consistently refers to the animal itself throughout the Old Testament, though its contextual usage imbues it with varied symbolic significance.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term נָמֵר appears a limited number of times in the Hebrew Bible, yet each occurrence is rich in contextual meaning:
* **[[Song of Solomon 4:8]]**: Here, the leopard is mentioned alongside lions, signifying danger and wildness in the mountains that the beloved is urged to leave. The context emphasizes the perilous journey from a wild, untamed region.
* **[[Jeremiah 13:23]]**: This is perhaps the most profound use of נָמֵר. The prophet asks, "Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots?" This rhetorical question powerfully illustrates the impossibility of those "accustomed to do evil" to suddenly do good without a radical, divine transformation. The leopard's indelible spots become a metaphor for ingrained, unchangeable human nature and habitual sin.
* **[[Hosea 13:7]]**: In a passage describing God's judgment against Ephraim, the Lord declares, "I will be to them like a lion, like a leopard by the way I will lurk." Here, the leopard symbolizes swift, predatory, and inescapable divine retribution. Its stealth and suddenness are emphasized.
* **[[Habakkuk 1:8]]**: Describing the terrifying speed and ferocity of the Chaldean (Babylonian) army, the prophet states, "their horses are swifter than leopards." The leopard's renowned agility and speed are highlighted, emphasizing the overwhelming and rapid advance of God's chosen instrument of judgment.
* **[[Daniel 7:6]]**: In Daniel's vision of the four beasts, the third beast is "like a leopard, with four wings of a bird on its back; and the beast had four heads." This symbolic beast represents a powerful kingdom (typically interpreted as the Greek Empire under Alexander the Great), characterized by its extraordinary swiftness (wings) in conquest and its subsequent division (four heads). The leopard's inherent speed and predatory nature are central to its symbolic representation here.
Across these occurrences, common characteristics associated with the leopard include its speed, predatory nature, the indelible quality of its spots, and its association with wild, dangerous environments or powerful, destructive forces.
### Related Words & Concepts
The Strong's definition itself points to related Hebrew terms, primarily geographical names that likely derive from the presence of leopards or similar features:
* **נִמְרָה (Nimrah)** and **נִמְרִים (Nimrim)**: These are place names, such as "Beth-Nimrah" ([[Numbers 32:36]]) and "the waters of Nimrim" ([[Isaiah 15:6]], [[Jeremiah 48:34]]), suggesting regions where leopards were common or which possessed a characteristic reminiscent of the animal.
Beyond direct linguistic connections, נָמֵר is conceptually related to:
* **Other Predatory Animals**: Leopards are often mentioned alongside lions (`{{H738}}`), bears (`{{H1677}}`), and wolves (`{{H2061}}`), especially in contexts of danger, judgment, or wildness.
* **Figurative Language for Judgment**: Its use in Hosea and Habakkuk aligns with other animal metaphors for divine wrath or the instruments thereof.
* **Prophetic Symbolism**: As seen in Daniel, the leopard belongs to the broader category of zoomorphic symbols used in apocalyptic literature to represent nations and empires, akin to the lion and bear in the same chapter.
* **The Concept of Immutable Nature**: The metaphor in Jeremiah ties into the theological concept of human depravity and the need for a radical, divine transformation of the heart, contrasting with superficial changes.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of נָמֵר primarily unfolds in three dimensions:
* **Divine Judgment and Sovereignty**: In passages like [[Hosea 13:7]] and [[Habakkuk 1:8]], the leopard serves as an instrument or metaphor for God's swift and inescapable judgment. Whether directly inflicting punishment or empowering nations (like the Chaldeans) to do so, the leopard underscores God's sovereign control over the forces of nature and history, employing even fearsome creatures or empires to fulfill His purposes.
* **The Nature of Sin and Human Inability**: The most profound theological insight comes from [[Jeremiah 13:23]]. The leopard's unchangeable spots symbolize the deeply ingrained nature of sin in the human heart. It highlights humanity's inherent inability to change its own spiritual condition or to genuinely turn from evil to good through mere willpower or external efforts. This verse powerfully undergirds the biblical doctrine of total depravity and the absolute necessity of divine grace and regeneration for true spiritual transformation.
* **Prophetic Foreshadowing**: In [[Daniel 7:6]], the leopard's symbolic representation of a powerful empire (historically understood as Greece) speaks to the foreknowledge of God regarding world history and the rise and fall of kingdoms. Its swiftness and multiple heads underscore the rapid expansion and eventual division of this empire, testifying to the accuracy and scope of biblical prophecy.
### Summary
The Hebrew word נָמֵר (nâmêr), H5246, denotes the "leopard," a term whose etymology points to the animal's distinctive spotted coat. Though appearing infrequently, its biblical occurrences carry significant weight. From signifying literal danger in [[Song of Solomon 4:8]] to symbolizing swift divine judgment in [[Hosea 13:7]] and the rapid conquest of empires in [[Habakkuk 1:8]] and [[Daniel 7:6]], the leopard consistently represents speed, predatory power, and an unyielding nature. Most profoundly, in [[Jeremiah 13:23]], the leopard's unchangeable spots serve as a powerful metaphor for humanity's deep-seated inclination towards sin and the inherent inability to alter one's spiritual condition without divine intervention. Thus, נָמֵר functions not merely as a zoological term but as a potent symbol in the biblical narrative, conveying truths about God's judgment, His sovereign control over history, and the profound reality of human sinfulness.
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