The Hebrew word tsammâh, represented by H6777, is defined as a veil or locks. It appears only 4 times in 4 unique verses in the Bible. The word originates from an unused root meaning to fasten on, suggesting something that is attached or covers a part of the head.
In the Song of Solomon, H6777 is used poetically to describe the beauty of the beloved. Her eyes H5869 are described as doves' eyes seen "within thy locks" Song of Solomon 4:1, and her temples H7541 are likened to a piece of a pomegranate also found "within thy locks" (Song of Solomon 4:3, 6:7). This context portrays the locks as a feature that frames and enhances beauty. In contrast, the prophet Isaiah uses the word in a prophecy of judgment, commanding a disgraced city to "uncover H1540 thy locks" Isaiah 47:2, an action associated with shame and humiliation.
Several related words help to illuminate the meaning of tsammâh:
- H1157 bᵉʻad (within): This preposition is used in Song of Solomon to indicate that the beloved's features are seen within her locks H6777, suggesting a sense of being framed or partially concealed Song of Solomon 4:3.
- H1540 gâlâh (uncover): In a starkly different context, this verb commands to uncover the locks H6777, an act of humiliation and disgrace. The word's definition includes to denude, reveal, or discover Isaiah 47:2.
- H8181 sêʻâr (hair): This word is used in parallel with locks H6777, clarifying its physical nature. The beloved's hair is compared to a flock of goats, immediately following the mention of her eyes within her locks Song of Solomon 4:1.
- H7541 raqqâh (temple): This term for the side of the head is described as being visible "within thy locks" H6777, helping to physically place the locks and emphasize how they frame the face Song of Solomon 6:7.
The thematic weight of H6777 is demonstrated through its contrasting uses:
- Framing of Beauty: In its appearances in the Song of Solomon, H6777 functions as a poetic device to frame the beloved's beauty. Features like her eyes H5869 and temples H7541 are not just seen, but seen "within" the locks, creating an image of intimate, partially veiled allure Song of Solomon 4:1.
- Symbol of Humiliation: Isaiah 47:2 inverts this imagery. The command to "uncover H1540 thy locks" is paired with making the leg and thigh bare. In this prophetic context, the removal of this covering symbolizes a stripping of honor and a public display of shame.
- Dual Contextual Meaning: The word's significance is entirely dependent on its context. In a setting of love and admiration, it signifies beauty and modesty. In a setting of judgment, its removal signifies disgrace and captivity Isaiah 47:2.
In summary, tsammâh H6777 is a specific and rare term whose meaning shifts dramatically with its context. In the romantic poetry of Song of Solomon, it denotes locks of hair that act as an adornment, framing the beloved's face and adding to her beauty (Song of Solomon 4:1, 4:3, 6:7). Conversely, in the prophetic judgment of Isaiah, the forced uncovering of these locks serves as a powerful symbol of humiliation and the stripping away of dignity Isaiah 47:2. The word illustrates how an object of beauty can become an emblem of shame depending on the narrative.
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