from צָמֵא; thirsty (literally or figuratively); (that) thirst(-eth, -y).
Transliteration:tsâmêʼ
Pronunciation:tsaw-may'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma צָמֵא (tsâmêʼ, `{{H6771}}`) functions primarily as an adjective or a participle, conveying the state of being "thirsty." It is derived from the verbal root צָמֵא, which means "to be thirsty" or "to suffer thirst." The semantic range of צָמֵא extends beyond mere physical dehydration to encompass profound spiritual or existential longing. In its literal sense, it describes the physiological need for water, a fundamental requirement for survival. Figuratively, it denotes an intense yearning or desperate need for something essential, often for God, His word, or righteousness. This dual application allows the term to powerfully articulate both human physical vulnerability and the deep spiritual yearnings of the soul.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term צָמֵא (tsâmêʼ, `{{H6771}}`) appears in various biblical contexts, illustrating both its literal and figurative dimensions:
* **Literal Thirst:**
* In [[Judges 15:18]], Samson, after his great victory over the Philistines, cries out to the Lord because he is "very thirsty." This portrays even the strongest of men as utterly dependent on divine provision for basic physical needs, highlighting human frailty.
* [[Isaiah 48:21]] speaks of God leading His people through the desert without thirsting, because He provided water from the rock. This emphasizes God's miraculous care and faithfulness in sustaining His people.
* [[Isaiah 29:8]] uses the imagery of a "thirsty soul" dreaming of drink but waking up still empty. This serves as a metaphor for the unfulfilled hopes and spiritual emptiness of those who oppose God, their efforts proving futile.
* **Figurative/Spiritual Thirst:**
* Perhaps the most poignant occurrences are found in the Psalms, where צָמֵא expresses intense spiritual longing. [[Psalm 42:2]] declares, "My soul thirsts for God, for the living God." Similarly, [[Psalm 63:1]] states, "My soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water." These verses powerfully equate the soul's desperate need for God with the body's need for water in a parched desert, signifying an existential yearning for divine presence and sustenance.
* In [[Isaiah 55:1]], a prophetic invitation is extended: "Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters." This passage beckons those who are spiritually needy to receive divine provision and salvation freely, without cost, underscoring God's abundant grace for those who recognize their spiritual emptiness.
* A stark warning is issued in [[Amos 8:11-13]], where a future "famine... not of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord" is prophesied. This describes a profound spiritual drought, where people will wander desperately to find God's word but will not find it, a severe judgment on a rebellious nation. Here, צָמֵא highlights the ultimate spiritual deprivation.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of thirst (צָמֵא, `{{H6771}}`) is intrinsically linked to several other biblical ideas and terms:
* **The Root צָמֵא (tsâmêʼ):** The verbal form of this root (e.g., [[Deuteronomy 2:28]], [[Isaiah 49:10]]) directly means "to be thirsty," reinforcing the core meaning of the adjective.
* **Water (מַיִם, mayim):** As the primary object that quenches thirst, water is a constant motif. Its presence or absence is critical to the state of צָמֵא.
* **Living Water:** This concept, particularly prominent in the New Testament (e.g., [[John 4:10-14]]), finds its roots in the Old Testament imagery of God as the source of life-giving sustenance, contrasted with the emptiness of spiritual thirst.
* **Soul (נֶפֶשׁ, nephesh):** Often paired with צָמֵא in the Psalms, emphasizing that the "soul" is the locus of spiritual thirst and longing.
* **Hunger (רָעֵב, ra'ev, `{{H7457}}`):** Frequently paralleled with thirst, forming a common idiom for intense physical or spiritual need (e.g., [[Isaiah 29:8]]).
* **New Testament Parallels:** The Greek equivalent διψάω (dipsao, `{{G1372}}`) carries similar literal and figurative weight. Jesus's invitation in [[John 7:37]], "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink," directly echoes the invitation in [[Isaiah 55:1]]. The Beatitude in [[Matthew 5:6]], "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness," further exemplifies the spiritual application of this concept.
### Theological Significance
The word צָמֵא (tsâmêʼ, `{{H6771}}`) holds profound theological significance:
* **Human Dependency and Vulnerability:** The state of thirst, whether physical or spiritual, underscores humanity's inherent dependency. It highlights that humans are not self-sufficient but utterly reliant on a life-giving source. This dependency is not limited to physical survival but extends to the deepest needs of the soul for meaning, purpose, and connection with the divine.
* **Divine Provision and Satisfaction:** God is consistently presented as the ultimate satisfier of all thirst. He provides literal water in the wilderness ([[Exodus 17:6]], [[Numbers 20:11]]) and, more significantly, offers spiritual "living water" that truly quenches the soul's deepest longings ([[Isaiah 55:1]]). This portrays God as the benevolent provider who meets the fundamental needs of His creation.
* **Spiritual Longing as a Positive State:** The "thirst for God" or "thirst for righteousness" is depicted as a blessed and righteous spiritual condition. It signifies a soul that recognizes its true need and actively seeks its ultimate fulfillment in God. This longing itself is a form of worship and a prerequisite for receiving God's grace and abundant life.
* **Judgment of Spiritual Famine:** Conversely, the inability to find spiritual water—the absence of God's word or presence—is portrayed as a severe judgment, leading to spiritual desolation and death ([[Amos 8:11-13]]). This emphasizes the critical importance of divine revelation and the devastating consequences of its absence or rejection.
* **Messianic Anticipation:** The prophetic invitations to the thirsty in Isaiah find their ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who declares Himself the source of living water that truly satisfies ([[John 7:37-38]]).
### Summary
The Hebrew word צָמֵא (tsâmêʼ, `{{H6771}}`) describes the state of being "thirsty," a concept rich with both literal and figurative meaning in the biblical text. While it denotes the physical need for water, its more profound usage describes an intense spiritual longing, particularly for God, His presence, or His word. Occurrences in Psalms beautifully articulate the soul's desperate yearning for the Divine, akin to physical thirst in a parched land. Prophetic texts like Isaiah 55:1 extend an invitation to the spiritually thirsty, while Amos 8:11-13 warns of the dire judgment of a spiritual famine. Theologically, צָמֵא underscores humanity's fundamental dependency on a life-giving source, highlights God as the ultimate provider of both physical and spiritual sustenance, and portrays spiritual longing for God as a blessed and righteous state. It ultimately points to the divine provision that fully satisfies the deepest yearnings of the human soul.
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