from צָמֵא; thirst (literally or figuratively); thirst(-y).
Transliteration:tsâmâʼ
Pronunciation:tsaw-maw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun H6772 (צָמָא, *tsâmâʼ*) derives from the verbal root צָמֵא (*tsâmêʼ*), meaning "to be thirsty." As a noun, H6772 primarily denotes "thirst," encompassing both its literal and figurative dimensions. Its semantic range extends from the physiological need for water to a profound spiritual longing or yearning. In some contexts, it can also describe the state of being "thirsty" as an adjective, often captured by English translations as "thirsty one" or "those who thirst." This dual usage highlights a fundamental human experience that serves as a powerful metaphor for deeper spiritual realities.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term H6772 appears in various contexts throughout the Hebrew Bible, illustrating its literal and metaphorical breadth.
Literally, צָמָא describes a physical need for water, particularly in challenging environments. For instance, in [[Judges 15:18]], Samson, after his victory, cries out to the LORD because he is "very thirsty" (וַיִּצְמָא מְאֹד). Similarly, [[Proverbs 25:21]] uses צָמָא in the context of humanitarian aid: "If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink." This demonstrates the common understanding of thirst as a basic human necessity. Prophetic passages, such as [[Isaiah 49:10]], describe a future state of divine provision where God's people "will not hunger or thirst," a promise of physical sustenance and ultimate well-being.
Figuratively, צָמָא is employed to convey a deep spiritual yearning or lack. One of the most poignant examples is found in [[Psalm 42:2]] (MT 42:3): "As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God." Here, the intense physical thirst of an animal is paralleled with the soul's desperate longing for divine presence. [[Psalm 63:1]] (MT 63:2) echoes this sentiment: "O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water." These psalms transform a physical need into a powerful metaphor for spiritual dependency and desire. [[Amos 8:11]] provides a stark prophetic warning: "Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord GOD, when I will send a famine on the land—not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD." This verse explicitly distinguishes between physical צָמָא and a spiritual צָמָא for divine revelation, underscoring the critical importance of God's word.
### Related Words & Concepts
The noun H6772 is intimately connected to its verbal root צָמֵא (*tsâmêʼ*), "to be thirsty," reinforcing the dynamic relationship between the state and the experience. Other related concepts include רָעָב (`{{H7458}}`, "hunger" or "famine"), often paired with צָמָא to denote complete deprivation of basic necessities, as seen in [[Amos 8:11]] and [[Isaiah 49:10]].
The antithesis of צָמָא is the concept of divine provision, symbolized by מַיִם (`{{H4325}}`, "water"), springs, and rivers, which God supplies to satisfy this deep need. The idea of "living water" (מַיִם חַיִּים), though not directly using H6772, is a theological concept that addresses the spiritual thirst it represents. The broader semantic field includes words related to longing, yearning, and seeking, such as דָּרַשׁ (`{{H1875}}`, "to seek, inquire"), which describe the active pursuit of that which satisfies the soul's deepest desires.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H6772 is profound, operating on multiple levels. Fundamentally, צָמָא highlights humanity's inherent dependence, both physically and spiritually. It underscores that humans are not self-sufficient but rely on an external source for life and sustenance.
Spiritually, צָמָא serves as a powerful metaphor for the soul's innate yearning for God. The psalmist's "thirst" for God in a "dry and weary land" ([[Psalm 63:1]]) articulates a universal human condition: a spiritual void that only divine presence and truth can fill. This longing is not merely a desire but an existential need, mirroring the body's desperate need for water.
Moreover, צָמָא frames God as the sole and ultimate satisfier of this deep spiritual need. He is the source of "living water" that quenches the soul's thirst, providing spiritual nourishment and refreshment. This divine provision is often linked to the covenant relationship, where God promises to care for His people. The prophetic vision of an end to thirst ([[Isaiah 49:10]]) points to an eschatological hope of complete divine provision, peace, and abundance, where all human needs, both physical and spiritual, are eternally met in God's presence. The New Testament further develops this theme, with Jesus presenting Himself as the "living water" that satisfies all who come to Him (e.g., [[John 4:10-14]], [[John 7:37-38]]).
### Summary
The Hebrew word H6772 (צָמָא, *tsâmâʼ*) denotes "thirst," functioning both literally as a physical need for water and profoundly as a metaphor for deep spiritual yearning. Its biblical occurrences range from descriptions of physical deprivation in the wilderness to the soul's intense longing for God's presence and His word, as vividly portrayed in the Psalms and prophetic literature. צָמָא underscores humanity's fundamental dependence on God and positions Him as the exclusive source of ultimate satisfaction for both bodily and spiritual needs. This concept highlights the intimate relationship between human need and divine provision, pointing towards God as the wellspring of life and truth that eternally quenches the deepest thirst of the human soul.
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