זִמְרָת
𐤆𐤌𐤓𐤕
zimrâth
H2176 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
musical quality, song, or tune; refers both to the act or product of singing and to the musical sound or melody produced, often in a context of celebration or worship. Its semantic range encompasses musical expression, especially singing, and sometimes designates a musical composition associated with praise.
Semantic Range
music, melody, song, tune, musical praise, musical celebration
Root / Etymology
From the root זמר meaning 'to make music, sing, play a musical instrument.' The word זִמְרָת (zimrāth) is a noun form referring to music or song, specifically the melodic or tuneful element, derived by adding the abstract noun ending '-at/-āth' to the root.
Historical & Contextual Notes
זִמְרָת appears only in poetic passages (notably Exodus 15:2 and Isaiah 12:2) where it describes Yahweh as the 'musical strength' or 'song' of Israel. English translations often render it as 'song,' 'song of praise,' or 'strength' (by metonymy). The word emphasizes music as an act of jubilation and thanksgiving rather than formal worship ritual. It is thematically related to other nouns from the same root (e.g., זֶמֶר, 'song'). In context, it conveys the idea of expressive rejoicing through music. Later Jewish liturgical tradition draws on such terms for the concept of musical praise, but in biblical usage, it carries a general sense of musical or melodic celebration, sometimes focused on divine deliverance or strength. The translation 'praise' may over-interpret the term's explicit reference to music; 'song' or 'music' is more lexically precise.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from זָמַר; instrumental music; by implication, praise; song.
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 an instrument, prune
| 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
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2176-01 |
וְ/זִמְרָת֙ | vezimerat | HC/Ncfsa |
and my song | and melody | 3 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2176-01 |
Exodus 15:2 | וְ/זִמְרָת֙ | vezimerat | HC/Ncfsa |
and my song | and melody |
H2176-01 |
Isaiah 12:2 | וְ/זִמְרָת֙ | vezimerat | HC/Ncfsa |
and my song | and melody |
H2176-01 |
Psalms 118:14 | וְ/זִמְרָ֣ת | vezimerat | HC/Ncfsc |
and my song | and melody |