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כַּמֹּן

𐤊𐤌𐤍

kammôn

H3646 noun

SILEX Entry

Root uncertain uncertain; the root is not attested in Hebrew apart from this word

Definition

A cultivated plant (Cuminum cyminum) valued for its small aromatic seeds, which are used as a spice. In biblical texts, the word denotes both the plant itself and its seeds, which were harvested and used for culinary and medicinal purposes. The term appears primarily in agricultural, economic, and metaphorical contexts, referring to a recognizable crop in ancient Israelite agronomy.

Semantic Range

cumin plant, cumin seeds, crop for harvest, agricultural product, condiment, tithe produce

Root / Etymology

Root etymology uncertain. The term כַּמֹּן (kammôn) is a loanword, likely of Semitic origin but unattested outside of Biblical Hebrew, possibly related to Akkadian kamūnu (cumin). The proposed meaning 'to store up' is speculative and not attested as a productive Hebrew root.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Cumin was a common crop in the Levant in the Iron Age and was mentioned in connection with tithes in the post-monarchic period (e.g., Isaiah 28:25, 27; Matthew 23:23, LXX). The seed is noted for its distinct, pungent flavor. In prophetic and wisdom texts, reference to כַּמֹּן underlines practical agricultural knowledge among ancient Israelites (Isa 28:25–27 describes its careful threshing processes). The Greek and Latin terms for cumin (kyminon, cuminum) show Near Eastern origins, supporting the identification. English 'cummin/cumin' accurately conveys the referent. The term is not used to signify an ethnic or social identity or metaphorically for Israelite groups but solely for the plant and its produce. No evidence suggests later expansions beyond this sphere before the Hellenistic period. Distinction from other spices (e.g., dill, anise, caraway) is maintained in biblical Hebrew. Although in later periods, 'cumin' may be involved in halakhic discussions about tithes, this reflects post-biblical developments.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from an unused root meaning to store up or preserve; 'cummin' (from its use as a condiment); cummin.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

כמן (k-m-n) — cumin plant, aromatic spice crop

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4362 מִכְמַן in hidden stores of

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3646-02 וְ/כַמֹּ֣ן vekhamon HC/Ncmsa and cumin and cumin 2
H3646-01 כַּמֹּ֖ן kamon HNcmsa cumin cumin plant 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3646-02 Isaiah 28:25 וְ/כַמֹּ֣ן vekhamon HC/Ncmsa and cumin and cumin
H3646-01 Isaiah 28:27 כַּמֹּ֖ן kamon HNcmsa cumin cumin plant
H3646-02 Isaiah 28:27 וְ/כַמֹּ֥ן vekhamon HC/Ncmsa and-cumin and cumin
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