← H5140 H5142 →

נֶזֶם

𐤍𐤆𐤌

nezem

H5141 noun

SILEX Entry

Root uncertain ring, circular ornament

Definition

A ring-shaped ornament worn on the body, typically as jewelry through the nose or ear; also used to denote personal or familial wealth. In biblical usage, נֶזֶם most commonly refers to an ornament worn in the nose, but it can also mean an earring or, more generally, a piece of jewelry of circular form. The term's reference can shift depending on context, geography, and period.

Semantic Range

nose-ring, earring, circular jewelry, ornamental ring

Root / Etymology

Root uncertain. The word נֶזֶם does not have a securely attested verbal root in Biblical Hebrew. Some have proposed connection to a root meaning 'to pierce' or 'to enclose,' but this is not established. Likely a native Northwest Semitic word for a body ornament, possibly shared with neighboring cultures.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In patriarchal and monarchic Israelite society, the נֶזֶם is referenced as a status symbol, often given as a gift or part of a bride price (Genesis 24:22, 47). While the dominant English translation is 'nose-ring,' several contexts, especially in later texts, refer to earrings (see Proverbs 11:22; Ezekiel 16:12). Archaeological evidence from the ancient Levant includes both nose and ear ornaments of similar shape and description. The semantic range overlaps with other Hebrew terms for jewelry, but נֶזֶם is distinguished by its circular or ring-like form. The English 'jewel' is too broad and can obscure the ornament's specific form or cultural significance. The term's referent in later periods sometimes shifts with cultural fashions, and Greek or Latin translations often generalize the meaning. The rendering 'jewel' in some English Bibles arises from translation tradition rather than close correspondence to ancient usage.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from an unused root of uncertain meaning; a nose-ring; earring, jewel.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

נזם (n-z-m) — ring, circular ornament

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H5141-03 נֶ֣זֶם nezem HNcmsc a nose ring ring-ornament of 7
H5141-05 נִזְמֵ֣י nizemey HNcmpc earrings rings of 4
H5141-02 הַ/נֶּ֗זֶם hanezem HTd/Ncmsa the ring the ornamental ring 2
H5141-07 וְ/נִזְמֵ֥י venizemey HC/Ncmpc and the nose rings and ring-ornaments-of 1
H5141-01 הַ/נְּזָמִ֖ים hanezamim HTd/Ncmpa rings the ring-ornaments 1
H5141-06 וָ/נֶ֜זֶם vanezem HC/Ncmsa and earrings circular ornament 1
H5141-04 נִזְמָ/הּ֙ nizemah HNcmsc/Sp3fs her-nose-ring her ring-ornament 1

Occurrences in Scripture

17 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H5141-03 Genesis 24:22 נֶ֣זֶם nezem HNcmsc a nose ring ring-ornament of
H5141-02 Genesis 24:30 הַ/נֶּ֗זֶם hanezem HTd/Ncmsa the ring the ornamental ring
H5141-02 Genesis 24:47 הַ/נֶּ֨זֶם֙ hanezem HTd/Ncmsa the ring the ornamental ring
H5141-01 Genesis 35:4 הַ/נְּזָמִ֖ים hanezamim HTd/Ncmpa rings the ring-ornaments
H5141-05 Exodus 32:2 נִזְמֵ֣י nizemey HNcmpc earrings rings of
H5141-05 Exodus 32:3 נִזְמֵ֥י nizemey HNcmpc earrings rings of
H5141-06 Exodus 35:22 וָ/נֶ֜זֶם vanezem HC/Ncmsa and earrings circular ornament
H5141-03 Judges 8:24 נֶ֣זֶם nezem HNcmsc an earring ring-ornament of
H5141-05 Judges 8:24 נִזְמֵ֤י nizemey HNcmpc earrings rings of
H5141-03 Judges 8:25 נֶ֥זֶם nezem HNcmsc an earring ring-ornament of
← H5140 Hebrew Lexicon H5142 →