from an unused root meaning to fasten on; a veil; locks.
Transliteration:tsammâh
Pronunciation:tsam-maw'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term צַמָּה (tsammâh, `{{H6777}}`) derives from an unused root meaning "to fasten on." This etymological root suggests something affixed, attached, or bound. The base definition provided includes "a veil" and "locks," indicating a semantic range that encompasses both covering and a specific aspect of human hair.
The meaning "locks" refers to the hair itself, often implying a particular arrangement, abundance, or prominence. When understood as "a veil," the term points to a covering, likely for the head or hair, signifying modesty, protection, or status. The interplay between these two meanings is crucial: tsammâh can refer to the hair as an adornment or covering, or to a separate garment that functions as a veil over the hair. The specific context dictates which nuance is primary, though both often relate to a woman's head, beauty, and honor.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word צַמָּה (tsammâh) appears in both poetic and prophetic literature, showcasing its dual nature as an object of beauty and a symbol of shame when exposed.
1. **Song of Solomon 4:1 and 6:7**: In these passages, tsammâh is used in the context of describing the beloved's beauty. "Your hair is like a flock of goats" ([[Song of Solomon 4:1]]) and "Your locks are like a flock of goats" ([[Song of Solomon 6:7]]) are common translations. Here, tsammâh clearly refers to the beloved's hair, specifically its luxuriousness and beauty, flowing down the slopes of Gilead. The context is one of admiration and aesthetic appreciation, where the hair serves as an attractive feature.
2. **Isaiah 47:2**: In a prophecy against Babylon, the command is given, "Take the millstones and grind flour; remove your veil (or uncover your locks), strip off your skirts, uncover your leg, pass through the rivers." ([[Isaiah 47:2]]). Here, the uncovering of tsammâh is an act of public humiliation, stripping away the dignity and modesty of the once-proud city. It symbolizes a forced exposure and degradation, contrasting sharply with its use in Song of Solomon. The "veil" interpretation fits well with the idea of stripping away coverings that denote status or modesty.
3. **Nahum 3:5**: Addressing Nineveh, the Lord declares, "Behold, I am against you," declares the LORD of hosts, "And I will lift your skirts over your face; and I will show nations your nakedness and kingdoms your disgrace (or your locks)." ([[Nahum 3:5]]). Similar to Isaiah, the uncovering of tsammâh is a vivid metaphor for extreme public shaming and exposure. It is paralleled with "nakedness" and "disgrace," signifying utter humiliation and the loss of all honor.
4. **Lamentations 4:21**: In a lament over Edom's impending judgment, the text states, "Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom, who dwells in the land of Uz; the cup will pass to you as well. You will become drunk and expose your nakedness (or your locks)." ([[Lamentations 4:21]]). This usage aligns with the prophetic denunciations, where the exposure of tsammâh is a consequence of divine judgment, leading to public disgrace and vulnerability.
Across these occurrences, tsammâh functions either as a beautiful adornment (Song of Solomon) or as a symbol of dignity whose forced exposure brings profound shame and humiliation (Isaiah, Nahum, Lamentations).
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of צַמָּה (tsammâh) intersects with several other Hebrew terms and concepts:
* **Hair (שֵׂעָר, `{{H8181}}`):** This is the general term for hair. Tsammâh, however, suggests a more specific aspect of hair—perhaps hair as an adornment, in a particular style, or as a covering.
* **Veil (צָעִיף, `{{H6809}}`; רָדִיד, `{{H7479}}`):** Other words explicitly denote a veil. While tsammâh can mean "veil," its connection to "locks" is unique, suggesting either a veil *of hair* or a veil worn specifically *over the hair*. The concept of covering and modesty is central to all these terms.
* **Glory/Honor (כָּבוֹד, `{{H3519}}`) and Shame/Disgrace (בּוּשׁ, `{{H0954}}`; קָלוֹן, `{{H7036}}`):** The contrasting uses of tsammâh highlight the biblical understanding of honor and shame. What is beautiful and a source of glory when properly adorned or covered becomes a source of profound shame when exposed or desecrated.
* **Adornment/Beauty (תִּפְאֶרֶת, `{{H8597}}`; יְפִי, `{{H3308}}`):** In Song of Solomon, tsammâh is clearly an element contributing to beauty, aligning with other terms for adornment.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of צַמָּה (tsammâh) lies in its capacity to represent both beauty and dignity, as well as the profound shame of exposure and judgment.
1. **Ambivalence of Human Adornment:** Tsammâh illustrates that aspects of human beauty and adornment, which can be celebrated and admired (as in Song of Solomon), are also susceptible to becoming symbols of disgrace when divinely judged. This highlights a broader biblical theme: anything that constitutes human pride or glory can be stripped away by God, revealing vulnerability and shame.
2. **Modesty and Dignity in the Ancient World:** The prophetic use of tsammâh emphasizes the importance of covering and modesty in ancient Near Eastern cultures, particularly for women. The forced uncovering of "locks" or "veils" was a severe act of public humiliation, signifying the loss of honor, status, and protection. This serves as a powerful metaphor for the complete subjugation and degradation of nations under divine judgment.
3. **Divine Judgment as Humiliation:** In Isaiah, Nahum, and Lamentations, the uncovering of tsammâh is a key image of God's judgment. It is not merely punishment but a public shaming, a stripping away of all pretense, power, and glory. This visual metaphor underscores the totality and severity of God's wrath against sin, where what was once a source of pride becomes a spectacle of degradation.
4. **Vulnerability Before God:** The ease with which tsammâh can be uncovered reflects the ultimate vulnerability of humanity and nations before the sovereign God. No amount of beauty, power, or self-adornment can withstand divine scrutiny and judgment.
### Summary
The Hebrew word צַמָּה (tsammâh, `{{H6777}}`) carries a rich and dual semantic range, encompassing both "locks" (of hair) and "a veil." In the Song of Solomon, it refers to the luxurious and beautiful hair of the beloved, serving as an object of admiration. Conversely, in the prophetic books of Isaiah, Nahum, and Lamentations, the uncovering of tsammâh symbolizes the stripping away of dignity and the imposition of profound public shame and humiliation as a consequence of divine judgment. This stark contrast highlights the theological tension between human beauty and pride, and the ultimate vulnerability of all things before God's righteous judgment. Tsammâh thus powerfully illustrates how what is esteemed and covered can become exposed and disgraced, underscoring themes of modesty, honor, and the devastating impact of divine wrath.
TRV