כָּמַר
𐤊𐤌𐤓
kâmar
H3648 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To be fiercely aroused, to grow hot with emotion or feeling; used both for physical heating, as by fire or heat causing darkening or shriveling, and for intense inward emotional stirring, such as yearning, compassion, or aroused love. The term can describe a physiological response (darkening or shriveling) or a strong internal affect (deep yearning, compassion).
Semantic Range
to be darkened or shriveled (by heat), to be kindled (emotionally), to yearn, to be deeply moved with compassion, to burn with longing
Root / Etymology
From the root כמר (k-m-r), thought to have the core meaning of 'to be intensely heated or affected,' whether physically (by heat) or emotionally (by deep feeling). The precise etymology is uncertain, but connections are made with cognate verbs in other Semitic languages denoting heating or burning.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, כָּמַר appears rarely and is most often used in poetic or emotive contexts. Its concrete sense refers to being shriveled, scorched, or darkened with heat (cf. Joel 1:10: 'fields are shriveled'). In metaphorical usage, as in Genesis 43:30 and 1 Kings 3:26, it portrays being inwardly kindled or deeply agitated with feeling—especially compassion or yearning. The term is not specific to any single type of passion; its range includes grief, deep longing, and strong emotional agitation. Later Hebrew employments may reflect the related sense of being overpowered by emotion. English translations vary, with renderings such as 'yearned,' 'grew warm,' 'was kindled,' or 'was deeply moved.' The translation 'be black' or 'be shriveled' is reserved for literal/descriptive contexts. Unlike some parallel Hebrew terms for compassion or burning (such as רחם or בער), כָּמַר emphasizes the internal, involuntary arousal of emotion as an intense heating within the self. No significant shift in meaning is observed across biblical periods due to its limited occurrences.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; properly, to intertwine or contract, i.e. (by implication) to shrivel (as with heat); figuratively, to be deeply affected with passion (love or pity); be black, be kindled, yearn.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
כמר (k-m-r) — to be heated, to be aroused, to shrivel, to yearn
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3649 | כָּמָר | the somber pagan priests |
| H3650 | כִּמְרִיר | intense darkenings of |
| H4364 | מַכְמָר | concealing net |
| H4365 | מִכְמֶרֶת | in his ensnaring-net |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3648-02 |
נִכְמְר֤וּ | nikhemeru | HVNp3cp |
are stirred | they have been intensely heated | 3 |
H3648-01 |
נִכְמָ֔רוּ | nikhemaru | HVNp3cp |
was blackened | they were kindled | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3648-02 |
Genesis 43:30 | נִכְמְר֤וּ | nikhemeru | HVNp3cp |
were moved | they have been intensely heated |
H3648-02 |
1 Kings 3:26 | נִכְמְר֣וּ | nikhemeru | HVNp3cp |
were aroused | they have been intensely heated |
H3648-02 |
Hosea 11:8 | נִכְמְר֥וּ | nikhemeru | HVNp3cp |
are stirred | they have been intensely heated |
H3648-01 |
Lamentations 5:10 | נִכְמָ֔רוּ | nikhemaru | HVNp3cp |
was blackened | they were kindled |