a yoke or team (i.e. pair); hence, an acre (i.e. day's task for a yoke of cattle to plough); acre, couple, [idiom] together, two (donkeys), yoke (of oxen).
Transliteration:tsemed
Pronunciation:tseh'-med
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word צֶמֶד (tsemed, `{{H6776}}`) primarily denotes a "yoke" or "team" of two animals, most commonly oxen, joined together for agricultural labor such as plowing or pulling. Its semantic range extends from this literal object and pairing to several related concepts:
1. **The Yoke Itself:** The wooden bar used to harness two animals.
2. **A Pair or Team of Animals:** Specifically, two animals (e.g., oxen, donkeys) working or moving together as a unit.
3. **A Measure of Land:** By metonymy, *tsemed* refers to the amount of land that a yoke of oxen could plow in a day, often translated as "acre" or "day's task." This highlights its practical application in ancient agrarian society.
4. **A Couple or Pair (General):** More broadly, it can refer to any two items or individuals that are associated or grouped together.
5. **Idiomatic "Together":** In certain contexts, it can convey the idea of two individuals being "together" or "side by side."
The word derives from the root צמד (tsamad, `{{H6775}}`), meaning "to bind," "to join," or "to attach," which reinforces the core concept of two things being united.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of *tsemed* in the Hebrew Bible reflect its diverse semantic range, primarily within an agricultural or practical context:
* **As a Team/Pair of Animals:**
* In [[1 Samuel 11:7]], Saul takes "a yoke of oxen" (צֶמֶד בָּקָר) and cuts them into pieces, sending them throughout Israel as a rallying cry. This demonstrates the commonality and value of such a team in daily life.
* [[Job 42:12]] describes Job's restored prosperity, including "a thousand yoke of oxen" (אֶלֶף צֶמֶד בָּקָר), emphasizing the significant increase in his agricultural wealth.
* [[Judges 19:3]] mentions the Levite's concubine taking "two donkeys" (שְׁנֵי צֶמֶד חֲמֹרִים), where *tsemed* functions as a numerical classifier for a pair.
* **As a Measure of Land (Acre):**
* [[1 Samuel 14:14]] describes Jonathan and his armor-bearer killing about twenty men "within about half a yoke of a furrow of a field" (כְּחֵצִי מַעֲנָה צֶמֶד שָׂדֶה). Here, *tsemed* denotes a specific, agriculturally defined area.
* [[Isaiah 5:10]] prophesies judgment, stating that "ten acres of vineyard" (עֲשֶׂרֶת צֶמֶד כֶּרֶם) will yield only one bath of wine. This uses the agricultural measure to highlight extreme unproductiveness and scarcity, a sign of divine curse.
* **As an Idiom for "Together":**
* [[2 Kings 9:25]] records Jehu's command to Bidkar, recalling how they rode "together" (צֶמֶד) behind Ahab. In this context, *tsemed* implies being paired or joined in action, riding side-by-side.
These contexts collectively paint a picture of *tsemed* as a word deeply embedded in the realities of ancient Israel's agrarian economy and daily life, whether describing resources, tasks, or relationships.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **`{{H5923}}` ('ol):** This is another common Hebrew word for "yoke," often referring specifically to the wooden implement itself. While *tsemed* emphasizes the *pair* or *team* and its associated labor/measure, *'ol* frequently carries metaphorical weight, signifying burden, servitude, or oppression (e.g., [[Jeremiah 27:8]]).
* **`{{H6775}}` (tsamad):** The verbal root from which *tsemed* derives, meaning "to bind," "to join," or "to attach." This root underscores the fundamental concept of two things being united or connected, which is central to *tsemed*'s meaning.
* **`{{H2963}}` (yaḥad):** This adverb means "together" or "united." While *tsemed* can imply "together" in specific contexts (e.g., [[2 Kings 9:25]]), *yaḥad* is a more general term for unity or togetherness.
* **Duality and Partnership:** The core meaning of *tsemed* inherently conveys the idea of two entities working in concert. This concept of partnership, shared effort, and mutual contribution is a recurring theme in biblical wisdom and social structures.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of *tsemed* is often indirect, arising from the contexts in which it appears:
* **Divine Provision and Blessing:** In [[Job 42:12]], the restoration of Job's wealth, specifically including "a thousand yoke of oxen," symbolizes God's abundant blessing and restoration. Oxen were a primary form of agricultural capital, and their increase signified prosperity and divine favor. This highlights God's role as the provider of sustenance and material well-being.
* **Agricultural Foundation and Covenant:** The frequent use of *tsemed* in agricultural contexts (oxen, land measures) underscores the agrarian nature of ancient Israel. This connects to the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where the land was central to their identity and prosperity. God's blessings and curses were often manifested through the fruitfulness or barrenness of the land and its agricultural output.
* **Judgment and Scarcity:** The prophetic pronouncement in [[Isaiah 5:10]], where "ten acres of vineyard" yield almost nothing, serves as a powerful image of divine judgment. It illustrates the consequences of unfaithfulness, where God can withhold productivity and bring about scarcity, turning expected abundance into desolation.
* **Cooperation and Purpose:** While not explicitly theological, the image of two oxen yoked together for a common task can serve as a metaphor for the importance of unity, cooperation, and shared purpose. This can be applied to human relationships, community life, and even the collective work of God's people in fulfilling His will.
### Summary
The Hebrew word *tsemed* (`{{H6776}}`) is a multifaceted term primarily denoting a "yoke" or "team" of two animals, particularly oxen, bound together for labor. Its semantic range extends to the animals themselves, a specific measure of land (an "acre" or "day's task" of plowing), and more generally, a "couple" or "pair," even signifying individuals acting "together." Rooted in the verb "to join" (`{{H6775}}`), *tsemed* consistently emphasizes the concept of two entities united for a common purpose. Biblically, it illuminates the agrarian realities of ancient Israel, appearing in contexts of divine blessing and prosperity ([[Job 42:12]]), as well as severe judgment and scarcity ([[Isaiah 5:10]]). Though not a word with direct theological pronouncements, its usage subtly underscores themes of divine provision, the significance of agricultural life in God's economy, and the consequences of disobedience, while also implicitly highlighting the value of partnership and shared effort.
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