from an unused root probably meaning to be shaggy; wool; wool(-len).
Transliteration:tsemer
Pronunciation:tseh'-mer
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word `{{H6785}}` (צֶמֶר, *tsemer*) denotes "wool" or "woollen material." Its etymological root is thought to be an unused verb suggesting the quality of being "shaggy" or "hairy," which directly connects to the raw material, the fleece of sheep. The semantic range of `{{H6785}}` is remarkably precise and narrow, consistently referring to the fibrous material derived from sheep, used predominantly for textiles, clothing, and other practical applications in the ancient Near East. It is distinct from other fibers like linen or flax, and this distinction often carries significant implications in biblical law and metaphor.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{H6785}}` appears a modest number of times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily in legal, prophetic, and descriptive contexts.
1. **Legal Contexts (Purity Laws):** A prominent use is in the Mosaic Law concerning clothing. [[Leviticus 13:47-59]] details the laws regarding leprosy in garments, distinguishing between linen and woollen fabrics. More significantly, [[Deuteronomy 22:11]] explicitly prohibits the wearing of *sha'atnez*, a garment made of mixed wool and linen: "You shall not wear a garment of wool and linen mixed together." This prohibition underscores a principle of separation and purity, the exact theological rationale for which is debated but undoubtedly significant for Israel's distinct identity.
2. **Prophetic Contexts (Divine Provision and Judgment):** In [[Hosea 2:5]], God laments Israel's unfaithfulness, noting that she pursued her lovers, saying, "I will go after my lovers, who give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, my oil and my drink." Later, in [[Hosea 2:9]], God declares judgment, threatening to "take back my grain in its time, and my wine in its season, and I will take away my wool and my flax, which were to cover her nakedness." Here, wool is presented as a fundamental provision from God, and its removal signifies divine judgment.
3. **Figurative and Metaphorical Language:** `{{H6785}}` is powerfully employed in metaphorical contexts, leveraging its natural properties, particularly its whiteness.
* In [[Isaiah 1:18]], the Lord declares, "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool." Here, the pristine whiteness of wool serves as a potent symbol of divine forgiveness and purification from sin.
* The visionary depiction of the Ancient of Days in [[Daniel 7:9]] states, "His clothing was as white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire." The "pure wool" of His hair signifies His ancient wisdom, purity, and unblemished holiness.
4. **Practical and Descriptive Contexts:** [[Ezekiel 34:3]] critiques the corrupt shepherds of Israel, stating, "You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep." This verse highlights the practical value of wool as a resource for clothing, contrasting the shepherds' exploitation with their neglect of the flock.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of `{{H6785}}` is enriched by its relationship to several other key terms and concepts in the Hebrew Bible:
* **Linen/Flax:** `{{H906}}` (*bad*) and `{{H6593}}` (*pishteh*) are frequently contrasted with wool, especially in the context of the *sha'atnez* prohibition ([[Leviticus 19:19]]; [[Deuteronomy 22:11]]). This highlights the distinct properties and perhaps symbolic meanings of each fiber.
* **Sheep/Lamb:** `{{H7716}}` (*seh*) and `{{H3532}}` (*kebes*) are the animals from which wool is shorn. The sheep themselves are often symbols of the flock of God and sacrificial offerings, creating an indirect link to the material they provide.
* **Clothing/Garment:** `{{H899}}` (*beged*) and `{{H3830}}` (*levush*) are generic terms for clothing, for which wool was a primary material, providing warmth and protection.
* **Whiteness/Snow:** `{{H7950}}` (*sheleg*) is often paired with wool in similes to emphasize extreme purity and whiteness, as seen in [[Isaiah 1:18]] and [[Daniel 7:9]].
* **Purity and Separation:** The concept of ritual purity and the divine command for Israel's separation from pagan practices and mixed forms is a crucial theological backdrop for understanding the *sha'atnez* prohibition.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H6785}}` extends beyond its literal meaning, touching upon several core biblical themes:
* **Holiness and Distinction:** The prohibition against mixing wool and linen (*sha'atnez*) in garments, while debated in its precise rationale, fundamentally underscores God's call for holiness and distinction for His people. It may symbolize the avoidance of syncretism, the maintenance of distinct categories in creation, or the setting apart of Israel as a holy nation, separated from the practices of surrounding peoples.
* **Divine Provision and Covenant Faithfulness:** As seen in Hosea, wool represents a tangible blessing from God, a sign of His covenant faithfulness in providing for His people's needs. Conversely, its withdrawal signifies judgment for covenant unfaithfulness, illustrating the principle that blessings are contingent upon obedience.
* **Symbol of Purity and Forgiveness:** The most profound theological use of `{{H6785}}` is its metaphorical deployment as a symbol of absolute purity and divine cleansing. In [[Isaiah 1:18]], the transformation of scarlet sins to "white as wool" powerfully conveys the completeness of God's forgiveness and His ability to purify the most defiled heart. This imagery resonates with the concept of atonement and the radical transformation offered by God's grace.
* **Divine Nature and Majesty:** The description of the Ancient of Days in [[Daniel 7:9]] with hair "like pure wool" contributes to the portrayal of God's transcendent holiness, eternal wisdom, and unblemished majesty. It evokes an image of ancient purity and authority that is beyond human comprehension.
### Summary
The Hebrew word `{{H6785}}` (*tsemer*), meaning "wool," is a seemingly simple term with surprisingly rich theological implications. While primarily denoting a practical material for clothing and textiles, its usage in the Hebrew Bible transcends the mundane. It serves as a tangible component in the Mosaic laws emphasizing purity and Israel's distinct identity, a symbol of divine provision and judgment in prophetic discourse, and most strikingly, a powerful metaphor for God's transformative forgiveness and His own unblemished, ancient holiness. From the everyday garment to the divine throne, *tsemer* consistently points to principles of separation, provision, and ultimately, the profound purity and redemptive power of God.
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