← H2153 H2155 →

זִמָּה

𐤆𐤌𐤄

zimmâh

H2154 noun

SILEX Entry

Root זמם to plan, devise, plot

Definition

Deliberate intent or plan, typically with a negative or morally objectionable aim. The term refers to conscious devising or scheming, often associated with harmful, immoral, or forbidden acts. In legal and moral contexts in the Hebrew Bible, it can refer to sexual transgressions, outrageous acts, or general wickedness.

Semantic Range

premeditated evil act, immoral scheme, deliberate plan (especially of sexual or violent transgression), wicked device, plot, mischief, lewdness, heinous crime, wicked intention

Root / Etymology

Root: זמם (zamam), meaning 'to plan, devise, plot (usually with negative intent)'. The noun form זִמָּה (zimmâh) extends this notion to signify the result or product of such planning, especially where the intent is understood as evil or socially destructive. The alternative spelling זַמָּה occurs less frequently but with the same meaning.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical usage, זִמָּה appears most frequently within legal texts (e.g., Leviticus 18–20) to denote planned actions deemed abhorrent within the Israelite legal and moral framework, such as illicit sexual conduct and certain acts of violence (see also Judges 20:6, Ezekiel 16:27, 23:21). The sense broadens in poetic and prophetic literature to include schemes of the wicked more generally (e.g., Psalm 26:10). English translations often use terms like 'wickedness,' 'lewdness,' or 'heinous crime,' but these may obscure the precise sense of deliberate planning underlying the word. The word is distinct from עָוֹן ('iniquity/wickedness') and רֶשַׁע ('evil, crime'), as זִמָּה emphasizes premeditated intent rather than the general state or outcome of wickedness. In post-exilic and later rabbinic usage, the term continues to carry connotations of plotting and premeditation. The English term 'lewdness' used in older translations reflects a focus on sexual offenses but does not represent the term’s entire semantic range.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or זַמָּה; from זָמַם; a plan, especially a bad one; heinous crime, lewd(-ly, -ness), mischief, purpose, thought, wicked (device, mind, -ness).

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

זמם (z-m-m) — plan, devise, plot (with harmful intent)

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2155 זִמָּה premeditated wicked scheme
H2157 זַמְזֹם Zamzummites
H2161 זָמַם they scheme
H2162 זָמָם his malicious scheme
H4209 מְזִמָּה in deliberate plans

Word Forms

10 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2154-05 זִמָּ֥ה zimah HNcfsa lewdness premeditated wickedness 14
H2154-07 זִמָּתֵ֥/ךְ zimatekhe HNcfsc/Sp2fs your lewdness your wicked scheme 3
H2154-06 זִמַּ֣ת zimat HNcfsc lewdness plotting of 3
H2154-01 הַ/זִּמָּ֔ה hazimah HTd/Ncfsa lewd the wicked scheme 2
H2154-03 בְ/זִמָּ֑ה vezimah HR/Ncfsa lewdly in a wicked scheme 2
H2154-08 זִמַּתְ/כֶ֨נָה֙ zimatekhenah HNcfsc/Sp2fp your-lewdness your plotted evil 1
H2154-02 כְּ/זִמַּתְ/כֶֽנָה kezimatekhenah HR/Ncfsc/Sp2fp like-your-lewdness like your wicked scheme 1
H2154-10 זִמֹּתַ֣/י zimotay HNcfpc/Sp1cs my purposes my wicked schemes 1
H2154-04 וְ/זִמָּתֵ֖/ךְ vezimatekhe HC/Ncfsc/Sp2fs and your lewdness and your wicked plot 1
H2154-09 זִמּ֣וֹת zimot HNcfpa schemes/devices wicked schemes 1

Occurrences in Scripture

29 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2154-05 Leviticus 18:17 זִמָּ֥ה zimah HNcfsa depravity premeditated wickedness
H2154-05 Leviticus 19:29 זִמָּֽה zimah HNcfsa depravity premeditated wickedness
H2154-05 Leviticus 20:14 זִמָּ֣ה zimah HNcfsa depravity premeditated wickedness
H2154-05 Leviticus 20:14 זִמָּ֖ה zimah-2 HNcfsa depravity premeditated wickedness
H2154-05 Judges 20:6 זִמָּ֥ה zimah HNcfsa lewdness premeditated wickedness
H2154-09 Isaiah 32:7 זִמּ֣וֹת zimot HNcfpa schemes/devices wicked schemes
H2154-06 Jeremiah 13:27 זִמַּ֣ת zimat HNcfsc lewdness plotting of
H2154-05 Ezekiel 16:27 זִמָּֽה zimah HNcfsa lewdness premeditated wickedness
H2154-01 Ezekiel 16:43 הַ/זִּמָּ֔ה hazimah HTd/Ncfsa lewdness the wicked scheme
H2154-07 Ezekiel 16:58 זִמָּתֵ֥/ךְ zimatekhe HNcfsc/Sp2fs your lewdness your wicked scheme
← H2153 Hebrew Lexicon H2155 →