זִמְרָה
𐤆𐤌𐤓𐤄
zimrâh
H2172 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A musical song or tune, especially with the sense of singing or playing music in praise; by extension, also connotes the act or product of making music—whether vocal or instrumental—used in celebrations or worship contexts. It refers both to the performance and the composition (music or song) itself.
Semantic Range
song, musical composition, melody, music for worship or celebration, act of singing or playing music; (rarely and contested) produce or specially-picked offering
Root / Etymology
From the root זמר (z-m-r), which at its core means 'to make music, sing, play a stringed instrument.' The noun זִמְרָה (zimrâh) is a feminine formation denoting the result or product of this action—namely, 'music, song, melody.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
זִמְרָה occurs primarily in poetic and liturgical contexts in the Hebrew Bible, such as in expressions of praise or thanksgiving. In earlier contexts (e.g., Pentateuch), it can denote general musical celebration, whereas in later texts, especially Psalms, it becomes closely associated with religious praise. Some English translations render the term as 'psalm' or 'melody,' but these rarely capture the participatory or communal aspect of the term in biblical settings. Distinct from שִׁיר (shîr, 'song') or תְּהִלָּה (tehillâh, 'praise'), zimrâh places emphasis on music as a medium of celebration, often in the context of communal worship. In some occurrences, such as Genesis 43:11, the term is interpreted as 'choice produce' or 'delicacy,' likely due to a descriptive play on sound, though this usage is debated and marginal. Later Rabbinic and liturgical Hebrew retained the association of zimrâh with sacred song. The English rendering 'psalm' projects later canonical meanings that do not always fit the biblical usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from זָמַר; a musical piece or song to be accompanied by an instrument; melody, psalm.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
זמר (z-m-r) — make music, sing, play instrument
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2156 | זְמוֹרָה | the pruned vine-shoot |
| H2158 | זָמִיר | with musical songs |
| H2159 | זָמִיר | the pruned shoot |
| H2160 | זְמִירָה | Zemirah |
| H2167 | זָמַר | I will make music in praise |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2172-02 |
זִמְרָֽה | zimerah | HNcfsa |
a song | musical song | 3 |
H2172-01 |
וְ/זִמְרַ֥ת | vezimerat | HC/Ncfsc |
and the melody | and melody | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2172-02 |
Isaiah 51:3 | זִמְרָֽה | zimerah | HNcfsa |
of melody | musical song |
H2172-01 |
Amos 5:23 | וְ/זִמְרַ֥ת | vezimerat | HC/Ncfsc |
and the melody | and melody |
H2172-02 |
Psalms 81:3 | זִ֭מְרָה | zimerah | HNcfsa |
a song | musical song |
H2172-02 |
Psalms 98:5 | זִמְרָֽה | zimerah | HNcfsa |
of song | musical song |