feminine of צָמָא; thirst (figuratively, of libidinousnes); thirst.
Transliteration:tsimʼâh
Pronunciation:tsim-aw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun tsimʼâh (`{{H6773}}`) is a feminine form derived from the verbal root tsama' (`{{H6772}}`), meaning "to be thirsty." Its primary semantic domain is "thirst," referring to the physiological need for water. However, its usage in the biblical text extends beyond the literal. Figuratively, tsimʼâh can denote an intense, often insatiable, craving or desire, particularly in a negative or illicit sense, such as "libidinousness" or a strong spiritual yearning for something forbidden. This dual application highlights the word's capacity to describe both a fundamental physical need and a profound spiritual or moral state of longing.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of tsimʼâh (`{{H6773}}`) in the Hebrew Bible, though few, are highly significant for understanding its semantic range.
* **Literal Thirst:** In [[Deuteronomy 28:48]], tsimʼâh appears in the context of the curses for disobedience to the Mosaic covenant. The passage warns that Israel will serve their enemies "in hunger and in thirst and in nakedness and in lack of all things." Here, tsimʼâh denotes a severe physical deprivation, emphasizing the abject suffering and vulnerability that would accompany divine judgment. It underscores the basic human need for sustenance and the dire consequences of its absence.
* **Figurative Thirst (Idolatrous Desire):** The most poignant uses of tsimʼâh are found in the prophetic literature, where it metaphorically describes Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness.
* In [[Jeremiah 2:25]], the prophet laments Judah's persistent idolatry, likening their pursuit of foreign gods to an insatiable, self-destructive thirst: "Keep your feet from being bare and your throat from thirst (tsimʼâh). But you said, 'It is hopeless! For I have loved foreigners, and after them I will go.'" Here, tsimʼâh represents the intense, addictive, and ultimately ruinous craving for idolatry, a spiritual "thirst" that leads to moral and spiritual destitution, despite divine warnings. It portrays a people so consumed by their illicit desires that they refuse the path of repentance and life.
* Similarly, in [[Hosea 2:3]], God threatens to strip Israel bare and leave her to die of thirst (tsimʼâh) if she continues her spiritual harlotry. While the threat of literal thirst is present, the overarching context of Hosea's prophecy about Israel's unfaithfulness to her covenant husband (Yahweh) suggests a deeper, metaphorical meaning. The "thirst" here is a consequence of abandoning the true source of life and provision, leading to spiritual barrenness and death, a reflection of the desolation caused by idolatry.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **tsama' (`{{H6772}}`):** This is the verbal root from which tsimʼâh is derived, meaning "to be thirsty." The close etymological relationship emphasizes the core concept of a profound need for hydration.
* **tsama' (`{{H6771}}`):** A masculine noun also derived from the same root, meaning "thirst" or "a thirsty one." It shares the core semantic range with tsimʼâh.
* **mayim (`{{H4325}}`):** "Water." This word represents the natural antidote to tsimʼâh. The biblical narrative frequently contrasts the presence of life-giving water with the experience of thirst, both literally and metaphorically (e.g., God as the "fountain of living waters" vs. "broken cisterns" in [[Jeremiah 2:13]]).
* **ra'av (`{{H7458}}`):** "Hunger." Frequently paired with tsimʼâh (e.g., [[Deuteronomy 28:48]]) to describe a comprehensive state of extreme deprivation and suffering.
* **Idolatry and Adultery:** In its figurative usage, tsimʼâh is intrinsically linked to the spiritual adultery of idolatry. This "thirst" for other gods is depicted as an illicit and destructive desire, paralleling the physical craving for something that is ultimately harmful.
* **Spiritual Barrenness/Desolation:** The consequence of this illicit spiritual tsimʼâh is often depicted as barrenness, desolation, and a state of separation from the life-giving presence of God.
### Theological Significance
The concept of tsimʼâh (`{{H6773}}`) carries profound theological weight, extending beyond a mere physical sensation to encompass deep spiritual realities.
* **Divine Judgment and Consequence:** In its literal sense, tsimʼâh serves as a tangible manifestation of divine judgment, a painful experience inflicted upon a disobedient people ([[Deuteronomy 28:48]]). It underscores humanity's absolute dependence on God for basic provision and life itself. The absence of water, leading to thirst, symbolizes the removal of divine blessing and the onset of covenant curses.
* **Spiritual Idolatry and Insatiable Desire:** The most potent theological application of tsimʼâh is found in its figurative use within the prophetic critique of Israel's unfaithfulness. It portrays idolatry not merely as a mistaken belief but as an addictive, destructive "thirst" for that which cannot truly satisfy ([[Jeremiah 2:25]]). This spiritual craving is depicted as an insatiable desire that tragically leads away from the living God, who is the only true source of spiritual sustenance. The prophets use this vivid imagery to highlight the depth of Israel's rebellion, the futility of seeking fulfillment apart from Yahweh, and the self-inflicted spiritual desolation that results from such pursuits.
* **The True Source of Satisfaction:** By depicting the devastating effects of an illicit tsimʼâh, the Scriptures implicitly point to God as the sole true source of satisfaction and life-giving "water." The spiritual tsimʼâh for idolatry is a perversion of the human soul's inherent longing for God. The ultimate theological implication is that only God can quench the deepest thirsts of the human spirit, and seeking fulfillment elsewhere, no matter how intensely desired, leads to spiritual barrenness, desolation, and ultimately, death. This sets the stage for New Testament themes of Christ as the "living water" (e.g., [[John 4:10-14]], [[John 7:37-38]]).
### Summary
Tsimʼâh (`{{H6773}}`) denotes "thirst," encompassing both a literal physical need and a powerful figurative representation of intense, often illicit, craving. Literally, it describes severe deprivation and suffering, frequently appearing as a consequence of divine judgment ([[Deuteronomy 28:48]]). More significantly, the prophets employ tsimʼâh to vividly describe Israel's spiritual idolatry, portraying it as an insatiable "thirst" for false gods that ultimately leads to spiritual barrenness and judgment ([[Jeremiah 2:25]], [[Hosea 2:3]]). This figurative usage powerfully underscores the destructive nature of seeking fulfillment apart from the living God, who alone can truly satisfy the deepest longings of the human heart. Thus, tsimʼâh serves as a profound metaphor for human longing, spiritual perversion, and the ultimate futility of seeking life from broken cisterns rather than from the divine fountain of living waters.
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