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זַמָּר

𐤆𐤌𐤓

zammâr

H2171 noun

SILEX Entry

Root זמר to make music, to sing, to play (a musical instrument)

Definition

A professional singer or musician, particularly one who performs in public or at formal occasions. In Aramaic contexts, refers specifically to an individual skilled in vocal or instrumental music, often employed at court or in ceremonial settings.

Semantic Range

musician, instrumentalist, singer, court performer, professional musician

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root זמר, which in both Hebrew and Aramaic is associated with making music, especially singing or playing stringed instruments. The Aramaic noun זַמָּר denotes a person engaged in this activity; it is a cognate of the Hebrew זַמָּר or זָמַר ('to make music').

Historical & Contextual Notes

The noun זַמָּר occurs in the Aramaic sections of the Hebrew Bible (e.g., Daniel 3:5, 7, 10, 15), denoting musicians in the Babylonian court during the exile. These texts use the term to describe performers playing music as part of idolatrous ceremonies—highlighting their role as professionals rather than as religious functionaries. In the broader ancient Near Eastern context, musicians were often attached to royal courts or official ceremonies. Unlike the later term חזן (cantor), which arose in rabbinic periods, זַמָּר refers to secular or court musicians in an ancient context. The meaning remains consistent between the exilic/post-exilic biblical Aramaic and related Semitic languages. The English translations sometimes use 'singer' or 'musician,' neither of which fully conveys the professional aspect implicit in the original. It is distinct from other musical terms in biblical Hebrew, such as משורר (mĕshōrer, 'singer/poet') or נגן (nagen, 'player/performer'), each with its nuances.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) from the same as זְמָר; an instrumental musician; singer.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

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

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2156 זְמוֹרָה the pruned vine-shoot
H2158 זָמִיר with musical songs
H2159 זָמִיר the pruned shoot
H2160 זְמִירָה Zemirah
H2167 זָמַר I will make music in praise

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H2171-01 זַמָּ֨רַיָּ֤/א zamaraya ANcmpd/Td singers the professional musicians 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H2171-01 Ezra 7:24 זַמָּ֨רַיָּ֤/א zamaraya ANcmpd/Td singers the professional musicians
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