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זָמִיר

𐤆𐤌𐤉𐤓

zâmîyr

H2158 noun

SILEX Entry

Root זמר to prune, to make music, to sing, to play an instrument

Definition

A song, especially one performed with musical accompaniment or designed for singing, often used in festive, communal, or religious contexts within ancient Israel. The term can refer to the content of the song itself or the act of singing, and bears the connotation of structured musical performance.

Semantic Range

song, musical song, accompanied song, artistic song, song performed in worship context, liturgical song, singing, musical performance

Root / Etymology

From the root זמר (z-m-r), which fundamentally means 'to prune' but developed the sense 'to make music, sing, or play an instrument,' likely via the shared idea of skillful selection or arrangement (as in pruning a vine or arranging a musical composition). The noun זָמִיר (zâmîyr) denotes 'song,' and its feminine form זְמִרָה (zəmîrâ) is similarly used, though sometimes with more specific emphasis on the singing act. The verb זָמַר (zāmar) gave rise to the noun.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, זָמִיר is found especially in poetic or liturgical contexts, generally signifying a song of celebration or worship, sometimes associated with instrumental performance. While English translations often render it simply as 'song' or 'psalm,' the word emphasizes the performative, communal, and potentially sacred nature of the music. Unlike other Hebrew terms for 'song' (such as שִׁיר, which is more general, or תְּהִלָּה, which specifically denotes a song of praise), זָמִיר often suggests skillful or artistic arrangement, linking singing and musical performance. The term is not typically used to refer to lament or dirge, highlighting its positive, celebratory character. In later periods, terms derived from this root retain strong associations with structured, artistic music. English translations may not always capture the word's implication of artistry and musicality.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or זָמִר; and (feminine) זְמִרָה; from זָמַר; a song to be accompanied with instrumental music; psalm(-ist), singing, song.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

זמר (z-m-r) — to prune, to make music, to sing, to play an instrument

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2156 זְמוֹרָה the pruned vine-shoot
H2159 זָמִיר the pruned shoot
H2160 זְמִירָה Zemirah
H2167 זָמַר I will make music in praise
H2168 זָמַר you will prune

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2158-03 זְמִר֥וֹת zemirot HNcmpc songs musical songs of 4
H2158-02 זְמִ֥יר zemir HNcmsc the song musical song of 1
H2158-01 בִּ֝/זְמִר֗וֹת bizemirot HR/Ncmpa with psalms with musical songs 1

Occurrences in Scripture

6 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2158-03 2 Samuel 23:1 זְמִר֥וֹת zemirot HNcmpc the songs of musical songs of
H2158-03 Isaiah 24:16 זְמִרֹ֤ת zemirot HNcmpa songs musical songs of
H2158-02 Isaiah 25:5 זְמִ֥יר zemir HNcmsc the song musical song of
H2158-01 Psalms 95:2 בִּ֝/זְמִר֗וֹת bizemirot HR/Ncmpa with psalms with musical songs
H2158-03 Psalms 119:54 זְ֭מִרוֹת zemirot HNcmpa songs musical songs of
H2158-03 Job 35:10 זְמִר֣וֹת zemirot HNcmpa songs musical songs of
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