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זָמַם

𐤆𐤌𐤌

zâmam

H2161 verb

SILEX Entry

Root זמם to plan, to devise, to intend, to purpose

Definition

To purpose, plan, or resolve to do something, often with intention or deliberation, typically in a negative or harmful sense, such as to plot or devise evil. In some contexts, may refer more neutrally to forming an intention or decision.

Semantic Range

to plan (esp. evil), to devise, to imagine, to plot, to intend, to purpose, to resolve, to scheme (usually with negative connotation)

Root / Etymology

The verb זָמַם derives from the root ז-מ-ם, which broadly has the sense of forming a plan or resolution. The root meaning centers on the mental process of deliberation or devising. The actual lexical meaning of זָמַם as attested in Biblical Hebrew generally emphasizes intention, especially where those intentions are harmful or malicious.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, זָמַם predominantly appears in legal or wisdom contexts, often describing the act of intentionally planning evil, wrongdoing, or violence (e.g., plotting false witness, forming harmful designs against others). The word rarely appears in positive or neutral settings—its usage is overwhelmingly negative, describing wicked schemes or harmful intent. Some occurrences emphasize the internal nature of planning—conceiving a scheme—as opposed to merely acting impulsively. Unlike words such as חָשַׁב (ḥāshav, to think, devise), which can carry a broader or sometimes positive connotation, זָמַם is much more narrowly focused on intentionality with a harmful or malicious orientation. In later Hebrew (Mishnaic period and beyond), the root continues to have the idea of plotting or firm intention but may expand slightly beyond solely negative senses. English versions (e.g., KJV, RSV) often render the verb with strong negative terms ("plot," "devise evil"), which reflect its typical biblical usage, though the primary concept is ultimately about strong intention, whether for good or ill; in practice, biblical usage is almost exclusively negative.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to plan, usually in a bad sense; consider, devise, imagine, plot, purpose, think (evil).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

זמם (z-m-m) — to plan, to devise, to intend, to purpose

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2154 זִמָּה the wicked scheme
H2155 זִמָּה premeditated wicked scheme
H2157 זַמְזֹם Zamzummites
H2162 זָמָם his malicious scheme
H4209 מְזִמָּה in deliberate plans

Word Forms

8 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2161-02 זָמַ֖ם zamam HVqp3ms devised he devised 4
H2161-03 זָמַמְ֜תִּי zamameti HVqp1cs I-have-planned I devised 2
H2161-07 זַמֹּ֔תִי zamoti HVqp1cs I have purposed I planned 2
H2161-08 זֹמֵ֣ם zomem HVqrmsa plots one who plots 1
H2161-06 זַ֝מּ֗וֹתָ zamota HVqp2ms you have plotted evil you have devised 1
H2161-04 זָמָֽמוּ zamamu HVqp3cp they devised they plotted 1
H2161-05 זָמְמָ֣ה zamemah HVqp3fs She considers she devised 1
H2161-01 יָזְמ֖וּ yazemu HVqi3mp they have imagined they scheme 1

Occurrences in Scripture

13 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2161-01 Genesis 11:6 יָזְמ֖וּ yazemu HVqi3mp they have imagined they scheme
H2161-02 Deuteronomy 19:19 זָמַ֖ם zamam HVqp3ms he plotted he devised
H2161-07 Jeremiah 4:28 זַמֹּ֔תִי zamoti HVqp1cs I have purposed I planned
H2161-02 Jeremiah 51:12 זָמַ֣ם zamam HVqp3ms devised he devised
H2161-02 Zechariah 1:6 זָמַ֜ם zamam HVqp3ms devised he devised
H2161-03 Zechariah 8:14 זָמַמְ֜תִּי zamameti HVqp1cs I planned I devised
H2161-03 Zechariah 8:15 זָמַ֨מְתִּי֙ zamameti HVqp1cs I-have-planned I devised
H2161-07 Psalms 17:3 זַ֝מֹּתִ֗י zamoti HVqp1cs my purpose I planned
H2161-04 Psalms 31:14 זָמָֽמוּ zamamu HVqp3cp they devised they plotted
H2161-08 Psalms 37:12 זֹמֵ֣ם zomem HVqrmsa plots one who plots
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