The Hebrew word tsâmaq, represented by H6784, is a primitive root meaning to dry up; dry. This specific term is exceptionally rare, appearing only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entirety of the biblical text, making its single usage particularly significant.
The sole appearance of H6784 is in Hosea 9:14, where the prophet makes a stark plea to God regarding Israel's judgment: "Give them, O LORD: what wilt thou give? give them a miscarrying womb and dry breasts." In this powerful verse, tsâmaq describes breasts that are without milk and unable to provide nourishment. The imagery directly links dryness with barrenness and the cessation of life, portraying a curse that cuts off future generations at their very source.
The meaning of H6784 is intensified by the words surrounding it in its only context:
- H7921 shâkôl (to miscarry... bereave): This word is paired with a "miscarrying womb" in Hosea 9:14. It conveys a state of bereavement and loss of children, often as a result of divine judgment Jeremiah 15:7.
- H7358 rechem (the womb): The womb is typically depicted as a place of divine formation and blessing, where God can grant life Genesis 29:31. A miscarrying womb is a direct reversal of this creative blessing.
- H7699 shad (the breast): As a symbol of sustenance and nourishment, breasts are part of God's blessing for fruitfulness Genesis 49:25. Describing them as dry (tsâmaq) transforms this symbol of life into one of desolation.
The theological weight of H6784 is concentrated in its role as an instrument of divine judgment.
- Reversal of Blessing: The concept of dryness in Hosea 9:14 stands in direct opposition to God's life-giving nature. God is the one who blesses with the "breasts, and of the womb" Genesis 49:25, and the plea for dry breasts is a call for that blessing to be completely revoked.
- Judgment through Barrenness: Dryness serves as a powerful metaphor for national judgment. By rendering the breasts useless, it symbolizes the end of sustenance, security, and the continuation of the covenant people.
- The Nature of Divine Giving: The verse uses the word H5414 nâthan ("to give"). While God is often the giver of good things like a new spirit Ezekiel 36:26, the request in Hosea 9:14 is for Him to give a curse, demonstrating the severity of Israel's sin and the gravity of the resulting judgment.
In summary, while H6784 appears only once, its impact is profound. The word tsâmaq encapsulates a potent form of divine judgment characterized by barrenness and the withdrawal of life-sustaining grace. Its singular use in Hosea 9:14, in conjunction with a miscarrying womb, creates an unforgettable image of a future cut off by the very God who is the source of all life and blessing.
TRV