כַּרְכֹּם
𐤊𐤓𐤊𐤌
karkôm
H3750 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A spice or aromatic derived from a flowering plant, specifically saffron, referring to the dried stigmas of the Crocus sativus flower. Used as a luxury item in perfumes, incense, and occasionally as a coloring or flavoring agent; denotes the plant, its product, or the fragrance produced from it.
Semantic Range
saffron plant, saffron spice, aromatic substance, luxury fragrance; by extension, object associated with opulence and exotic luxury
Root / Etymology
The word כַּרְכֹּם (karkôm) is of uncertain Hebrew derivation and is widely considered to be a loanword from a non-Semitic language, possibly Persian, reflecting the foreign origin of saffron as a cultivated crop and trade good in the ancient Near East. The root is therefore classified as uncertain.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical usage, כַּרְכֹּם appears in Song of Songs 4:14 among a list of precious spices and aromatics, highlighting its status as a luxury good imported into the land of Israel. Saffron was widely prized throughout the ancient world for its vibrant color, distinctive fragrance, and value in perfume and culinary preparations, though it was rare and costly. The appearance of כַּרְכֹּם among other exotic items indicates its association with affluence and refinement. Later translation traditions, including the Septuagint and Vulgate, render the term as recognizable saffron-related terms, reflecting a similar understanding in antiquity. English translations usually render the term 'saffron'; however, this does not fully convey the rarity and luxury status the word connoted in its ancient context. There are no indications that כַּרְכֹּם was used as a term for indigenous Israelite plants or local substitutes, distinguishing it from other biblical aromatic terms like נֵרְדְּ (nerd, 'nard/spikenard') or לְבוֹנָה (levonah, 'frankincense'). It appears only once in the Hebrew Bible.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
probably of foreign origin; the crocus; saffron.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
uncertain (uncertain) — uncertain; plant loanword referring to saffron
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1085 | בִּלְדַּד | Bildad |
| H1095 | בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּר | Belteshatsar |
| H1114 | בִּלְשָׁן | Bilshan |
| H1150 | בִּנְעָא | Bin'a |
| H116 | אֱדַיִן | and then |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3750-01 |
וְ/כַרְכֹּ֗ם | vekharekom | HC/Ncmsa |
and saffron | and saffron | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3750-01 |
Song of Songs 4:14 | וְ/כַרְכֹּ֗ם | vekharekom | HC/Ncmsa |
and saffron | and saffron |