patrial from an unused name of a place in Palestine; a Tsemarite or branch of the Canaanites; Zemarite.
Transliteration:Tsᵉmârîy
Pronunciation:tsem-aw-ree'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The lemma צְמָרִי (Tsᵉmârîy), Strong's H6786, functions as a proper noun, specifically a patrial adjective or noun derived from an implied place name, "Zemar." Its core meaning is to designate an inhabitant or descendant of this place, identifying a specific ethnic group: the Zemarites. The biblical definition explicitly states they are "a Tsemarite or branch of the Canaanites." As such, its semantic range is highly constrained, referring exclusively to this particular lineage or people group. It does not convey any abstract concept, action, or inherent moral quality, but serves purely as an identifier within the ancient world's ethnography.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term צְמָרִי (Tsᵉmârîy) appears twice in the Hebrew Bible, both times in the context of the Table of Nations, a genealogical record tracing the descendants of Noah's sons.
* [[Genesis 10:18]]: "and the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite: and afterward were the families of the Canaanites spread abroad."
* [[1 Chronicles 1:16]]: "the Arvadite, the Zemarite, and the Hamathite."
In both instances, the Zemarites are listed as one of the "sons" or tribes descended from Canaan, the son of Ham. This placement firmly establishes them as one of the eleven distinct branches of the Canaanite people. The context of Genesis 10 is primarily descriptive, providing a comprehensive catalog of the peoples and their initial geographical dispersion following the Flood. The repetition in 1 Chronicles 1 serves to reiterate and affirm this foundational genealogical record. The Zemarites are presented alongside other well-known Canaanite groups, indicating their status as a recognized, albeit perhaps less prominent, component of the pre-Israelite inhabitants of the land. Their inclusion highlights the meticulous nature of biblical genealogies in accounting for the diverse populations of the ancient world.
### Related Words & Concepts
As a proper noun identifying a specific people, צְמָרִי (Tsᵉmârîy) does not have direct synonyms. However, it is intrinsically linked to broader biblical concepts and related terms:
* **Canaan (כְּנַעַן, `{{H3667}}`):** The progenitor of the Zemarites and the larger group to which they belong. The identity as "Canaanite" carries significant theological weight due to the curse on Canaan [[Genesis 9:25-27]] and their subsequent role as the inhabitants of the Promised Land.
* **Table of Nations:** The comprehensive genealogical list in Genesis 10 that provides the framework for understanding the origins and relationships of the world's peoples. The Zemarites are a specific entry within this divinely ordered schema.
* **Other Canaanite Tribes:** The Zemarites are consistently listed alongside other distinct Canaanite groups such as the Sidonians, Hethites, Jebusites, Amorites, Girgashites, Hivites, Arkites, Sinites, Arvadites, and Hamathites. These groups collectively represent the indigenous population of the land that would become Israel, and their listing underscores the diversity within the Canaanite family.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of the Zemarites, while not extensively developed in the biblical narrative, stems primarily from their inclusion within the Table of Nations and their identity as a Canaanite tribe.
1. **Divine Order in Creation:** Their presence in the comprehensive genealogies of Genesis 10 affirms God's sovereign hand in the creation and distribution of all human families across the earth [[Deuteronomy 32:8]]. Even seemingly minor or obscure groups are part of His grand design.
2. **The Canaanite Identity and Covenant History:** As a branch of the Canaanites, the Zemarites fall under the general theological implications associated with this people group. This includes the curse pronounced upon Canaan and the subsequent divine command for Israel to dispossess the Canaanite inhabitants of the Promised Land. Their existence, therefore, contextualizes the later narratives of the conquest, highlighting God's faithfulness to His covenant promises to Abraham and the necessary judgment upon the idolatrous and morally corrupt inhabitants of the land.
3. **Completeness of Scripture:** The meticulous listing of even a group like the Zemarites, about whom no further specific details or interactions are recorded, demonstrates the Bible's commitment to historical accuracy and its comprehensive scope in detailing the origins of humanity and the nations. It reinforces the idea that every people, known or unknown to later history, is accounted for in God's overarching plan.
### Summary
The Hebrew word צְמָרִי (Tsᵉmârîy), Strong's H6786, exclusively identifies the Zemarites, a specific ethnic group defined as a branch of the Canaanites. Its only biblical occurrences are in the genealogical lists of [[Genesis 10:18]] and [[1 Chronicles 1:16]], where they are presented as one of the descendants of Canaan. Contextually, the Zemarites are part of the comprehensive Table of Nations, a record of humanity's post-Flood dispersion. Theologically, their significance lies in their inclusion within God's sovereign ordering of nations and their identity as one of the Canaanite tribes inhabiting the land promised to Israel. While no specific narrative or unique theological lesson is attributed to them, their presence contributes to the broader biblical understanding of divine judgment upon the Canaanites and God's faithfulness in establishing His covenant people in the land. The word's importance lies in its precise identification within the grand tapestry of biblical history and ethnography.
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