זֵכֶר (H2143) — Hebrew Lexicon

זֵכֶר

𐤆𐤊𐤓

zêker

H2143 noun

SILEX Entry

Root זכר to remember, to recall, to mention

Definition

A remembrance; the act or state of remembering; something by which a person, act, or event is remembered (memorial, commemoration); the recollection or memory of someone or something, either in the human mind or in record or ritual. In some poetic or rare contexts, may refer to a lingering trace (such as fragrance) that evokes memory. Used both for the act of remembering and the object/method that facilitates memory (physical memorials, names, rituals, etc.).

Semantic Range

remembrance, memory, memorial, commemoration, mentioning, repute, the act of recalling, object serving as a reminder, name or reputation, lingering trace (scent)

Root / Etymology

From the root זכר (z-k-r), meaning 'to remember, recall, mention'. The noun form זֵכֶר signifies the result or object of remembering, i.e., memory or memorial. Related to other derivatives from the same root, such as זָכָר (zakar, 'male', as one who is 'remembered/preserved'), but with distinct semantic development toward abstract and commemorative uses.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, זֵכֶר is used to express both the active recollection by individuals or groups (e.g., remembering a covenant or a person) and also the means or outcome of memory (e.g., a name, a monument, a ritual act). It appears in contexts of covenant theology (e.g., remembrance of divine acts or promises), commemoration of individuals (both positive and negative, as with the memory of the righteous or the wicked), and national memory (such as remembering deliverance from Egypt). Poetically, may refer to the enduring 'trace' or 'scent' that preserves someone's presence metaphorically. English translations often render it as 'remembrance', 'memory', or 'memorial', but these sometimes fail to capture the active and communal aspect seen in Hebrew usage. In later Jewish tradition, זֵכֶר takes on additional meanings in liturgy and ritual, but in the biblical context it remains connected to the sustaining and public act of keeping alive the memory of persons, events, and divine deeds.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or זֶכֶר; from זָכַר; a memento, abstractly recollection (rarely if ever); by implication, commemoration; memorial, memory, remembrance, scent.

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Root Family

זכר (z-k-r) — to remember, to recall, to mention

Strong's	Lemma	SIBI-P1
H1798	דְּכַר	male rams
H2138	זָכוּר	her male
H2139	זַכּוּר	and Remembered-one
H2142	זָכַר	I will cause to be remembered
H2144	זֶכֶר	and Zeker
H2145	זָכָר	the male
H2146	זִכְרוֹן	the memorial
H2147	זִכְרִי	and Zikri
H2148	זְכַרְיָה	and Yahweh has remembered
H234	אַזְכָּרָה	her remembrance-portion

Word Forms

9 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	Occurrences
`H2143-05`	זֵ֣כֶר	zekher	`HNcmsc`	memory	remembrance-of	6
`H2143-06`	זִכְרָֽ/ם	zikheram	`HNcmsc/Sp3mp`	their memory	their remembrance	5
`H2143-01`	לְ/זֵ֣כֶר	lezekher	`HR/Ncmsc`	to the remembrance	for remembrance of	3
`H2143-09`	זִכְרֽ/וֹ	zikhero	`HNcmsc/Sp3ms`	his-memorial-name	his remembrance	3
`H2143-07`	זִכְרֶ֑/ךָ	zikherekha	`HNcmsc/Sp2ms`	your remembrance	your remembrance	2
`H2143-04`	וְ֝/זִכְרְ/ךָ֗	vezikherekha	`HC/Ncmsc/Sp2ms`	and your name	and your remembrance	1
`H2143-03`	וְ/זִכְרָ֖/ם	vezikheram	`HC/Ncmsc/Sp3mp`	and-their-memorial	and their remembrance	1
`H2143-08`	זִכְרִ֖/י	zikheri	`HNcmsc/Sp1cs`	My memorial	my remembrance	1
`H2143-02`	וּֽ/לְ/זִכְרְ/ךָ֖	ulezikherekha	`HC/R/Ncmsc/Sp2ms`	and for your remembrance	and for your remembrance	1

Occurrences in Scripture

23 total occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1
`H2143-08`	Exodus 3:15	זִכְרִ֖/י	zikheri	`HNcmsc/Sp1cs`	My memorial	my remembrance
`H2143-05`	Exodus 17:14	זֵ֣כֶר	zekher	`HNcmsc`	the remembrance of	remembrance-of
`H2143-05`	Deuteronomy 25:19	זֵ֣כֶר	zekher	`HNcmsc`	memory	remembrance-of
`H2143-06`	Deuteronomy 32:26	זִכְרָֽ/ם	zikheram	`HNcmsc/Sp3mp`	their memory	their remembrance
`H2143-02`	Isaiah 26:8	וּֽ/לְ/זִכְרְ/ךָ֖	ulezikherekha	`HC/R/Ncmsc/Sp2ms`	and for your remembrance	and for your remembrance
`H2143-05`	Isaiah 26:14	זֵ֖כֶר	zekher	`HNcmsa`	remembrance	remembrance-of
`H2143-09`	Hosea 12:6	זִכְרֽ/וֹ	zikhero	`HNcmsc/Sp3ms`	his-memorial-name	his remembrance
`H2143-09`	Hosea 14:8	זִכְר֖/וֹ	zikhero	`HNcmsc/Sp3ms`	his scent	his remembrance
`H2143-07`	Psalms 6:6	זִכְרֶ֑/ךָ	zikherekha	`HNcmsc/Sp2ms`	your-remembrance	your remembrance
`H2143-06`	Psalms 9:7	זִכְרָ֣/ם	zikheram	`HNcmsc/Sp3mp`	their memory	their remembrance
`H2143-01`	Psalms 30:5	לְ/זֵ֣כֶר	lezekher	`HR/Ncmsc`	to the memorial of	for remembrance of
`H2143-06`	Psalms 34:17	זִכְרָֽ/ם	zikheram	`HNcmsc/Sp3mp`	their memory	their remembrance
`H2143-01`	Psalms 97:12	לְ/זֵ֣כֶר	lezekher	`HR/Ncmsc`	to the remembrance	for remembrance of
`H2143-04`	Psalms 102:13	וְ֝/זִכְרְ/ךָ֗	vezikherekha	`HC/Ncmsc/Sp2ms`	and your name	and your remembrance
`H2143-06`	Psalms 109:15	זִכְרָֽ/ם	zikheram	`HNcmsc/Sp3mp`	their memory	their remembrance
`H2143-05`	Psalms 111:4	זֵ֣כֶר	zekher	`HNcmsa`	memorial	remembrance-of
`H2143-01`	Psalms 112:6	לְ/זֵ֥כֶר	lezekher	`HR/Ncmsc`	for remembrance	for remembrance of
`H2143-07`	Psalms 135:13	זִכְרְ/ךָ֥	zikherekha	`HNcmsc/Sp2ms`	your remembrance	your remembrance
`H2143-05`	Psalms 145:7	זֵ֣כֶר	zekher	`HNcmsc`	memory	remembrance-of
`H2143-05`	Proverbs 10:7	זֵ֣כֶר	zekher	`HNcmsc`	memory	remembrance-of
`H2143-09`	Job 18:17	זִֽכְר/וֹ	zikhero	`HNcmsc/Sp3ms`	memory of him	his remembrance
`H2143-06`	Ecclesiastes 9:5	זִכְרָֽ/ם	zikheram	`HNcmsc/Sp3mp`	their memory	their remembrance
`H2143-03`	Esther 9:28	וְ/זִכְרָ֖/ם	vezikheram	`HC/Ncmsc/Sp3mp`	and-their-memorial	and their remembrance

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