from צֶלֶם; shady; Tsalmon, the name of a place in Palestine and of an Israelite; Zalmon.
Transliteration:Tsalmôwn
Pronunciation:tsal-mone'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma צַלְמוֹן (Tsalmôwn), transliterated as Tsalmon or Zalmon, is derived from the root צֶלֶם (tselem), which primarily denotes "shade" or "shadow." The suffix "-ôn" often indicates a place or a quality associated with the root. Thus, the core meaning of Tsalmôwn is "shady" or "a place of shade." It functions as a proper noun, referring to both a geographical location—a mountain in ancient Palestine—and an individual. The name evokes imagery of a forested or well-covered area, providing natural concealment or relief from the sun.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term Tsalmôwn (`{{H6756}}`) appears in two distinct contexts within the Hebrew Bible:
1. **Mount Zalmon:** In [[Judges 9:48]], Mount Zalmon is identified as the location from which Abimelech and his men cut branches to set fire to the tower of Shechem, where the citizens had taken refuge. The text states, "So Abimelech and all the people who were with him went up to Mount Zalmon; and Abimelech took an ax in his hand and cut down a branch from the trees, and took it up and laid it on his shoulder, and said to the people who were with him, 'What you have seen me do, hurry and do likewise.'" The description of cutting down branches for fuel aligns perfectly with the name's meaning, suggesting a mountain that was well-wooded and therefore "shady." This geographical feature played a crucial role in Abimelech's destructive campaign, providing the resources for his siege tactic.
2. **Zalmon the Ahohite:** In [[2 Samuel 23:28]], Zalmon the Ahohite is listed among David's mighty men. He is also identified as Ilai the Ahohite in [[1 Chronicles 11:29]], which is a textual variant for the same individual. As a personal name, "Zalmon" here serves as an identifier for one of David's elite warriors. While the etymological meaning of "shady" does not directly convey a personal characteristic in this context, it is common for individuals to bear names derived from natural features, ancestral places, or abstract qualities. In this instance, the name primarily functions as a proper noun to distinguish this specific member of David's valiant company.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic connection for Tsalmôwn (`{{H6756}}`) is its root, צֶלֶם (tselem), which also gives rise to the noun צֵל (tsel) `{{H6738}}`, meaning "shade" or "shadow." This root is distinct from צֶלֶם (tselem) `{{H6754}}`, which means "image" or "likeness" (as in the "image of God"). The connection for H6756 is specifically to the concept of natural shade.
Related concepts include:
* **Natural Environment:** Mountains, forests, and trees, which are sources of shade and provide resources (like wood).
* **Protection and Refuge:** In wider biblical thought, "shade" and "shadow" are often metaphors for divine protection and refuge (e.g., "the shadow of the Almighty" in [[Psalm 91:1]]). While Tsalmôwn itself is not used metaphorically in this way, its root meaning connects it to this broader theological concept of shelter.
* **Proper Nouns from Nature:** Many biblical names, both personal and geographical, are derived from natural phenomena or features, reflecting a deep connection between the ancient Israelites and their environment.
### Theological Significance
As a proper noun, Tsalmôwn (`{{H6756}}`) does not carry inherent theological weight beyond its narrative function. Its theological significance is primarily indirect, arising from its context and etymology:
* **Divine Providence in Creation:** Mount Zalmon, a "shady" mountain, exemplifies a natural feature within God's created order. It provided the resources (wood) that became instrumental in the human narrative of Abimelech's conquest. While used for destructive purposes by humans, the mountain itself stands as a testament to the richness and utility of the natural world fashioned by God.
* **Human Agency and Natural Resources:** The account in Judges highlights how natural resources, like the wood from Mount Zalmon, can be utilized by human agents for various purposes, including warfare and destruction. This underscores the moral responsibility of humanity in stewarding and employing the provisions of creation.
* **Identity and Legacy:** For Zalmon the Ahohite, the name serves to identify an individual who was part of David's elite. While the etymology "shady" does not reveal his character, his inclusion in the list of "mighty men" confers upon him a legacy of strength and loyalty in service to God's anointed king. His name, like many others, becomes part of the historical record of God's people.
### Summary
Tsalmôwn (`{{H6756}}`) is a Hebrew proper noun meaning "shady," derived from the root צֶלֶם (tselem), referring to "shade" or "shadow." It designates both a geographical location, Mount Zalmon, and an individual, Zalmon the Ahohite. Mount Zalmon is notably mentioned in [[Judges 9:48]] as the source of wood used by Abimelech in his siege of Shechem, fitting its etymological description as a well-wooded, "shady" place. Zalmon the Ahohite is listed among David's mighty men in [[2 Samuel 23:28]], serving as a personal identifier. While the name itself holds no direct theological doctrine, its occurrences underscore the importance of natural features in biblical narratives and the role of individuals within God's historical unfolding of events. Its etymology further connects to the broader biblical concept of "shade" as a natural phenomenon and, metaphorically, as a source of protection.
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