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עֲמַר

𐤏𐤌𐤓

ʻămar

H6015 noun

SILEX Entry

Root עמר to be woolly, to be covered with wool

Definition

A term designating wool, specifically the soft, curly hair of sheep or goats, as a material or commodity. In Aramaic biblical passages, refers to wool in general, whether in its raw, sheared state or processed for use in textiles. The word often occurs in commercial or ritual settings connected to textiles, offerings, or garments.

Semantic Range

wool (of sheep or goats), raw wool, woolen fiber, wool as a commodity, wool for textiles

Root / Etymology

The term עֲמַר is the Aramaic equivalent of the Hebrew צֶמֶר (ṣemer), both referring to 'wool.' Its root is ע־מ־ר, which in Aramaic signifies 'wool.' The Hebrew cognate differs in root letters, suggesting a borrowing or parallel semantic development rather than direct derivation from a common Semitic triliteral root. Etymology uncertain beyond its clear usage in Aramaic for 'wool.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

עֲמַר appears only in the Aramaic portions of the Hebrew Bible, especially in post-exilic literature (such as Ezra), reflecting the linguistic environment of the Persian period when Aramaic was an administrative and common language in the region. The Hebrew term צֶמֶר is used for wool in pre-exilic and monarchic texts. The shift in vocabulary mirrors the broader linguistic changes in Judean society. English Bible translations universally render the word as 'wool,' which accurately captures its basic meaning, but may obscure the linguistic distinction between Hebrew and Aramaic usage. The term does not carry the extended metaphorical senses (e.g., whiteness, purity) found with Hebrew צֶמֶר in poetic texts. No significant evidence of religious or ritual distinction compared to the Hebrew term. In later Jewish Aramaic, the term retains the same core meaning.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) corresponding to צֶמֶר; wool; wool.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

עמר (ʿ-m-r) — woolliness, wool, to be woolly, to be covered with wool

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H5995 עָמִיר grain-bundle
H6014 עָמַר sheaf-binder
H6016 עֹמֶר the bound sheaves
H6017 עֲמֹרָה Gomorrah-Heap
H6018 עׇמְרִי Omri

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6015-01 כַּ/עֲמַ֣ר kaamar AR/Ncmsa like like wool 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6015-01 Daniel 7:9 כַּ/עֲמַ֣ר kaamar AR/Ncmsa like like wool
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