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צֶלֶם

𐤑𐤋𐤌

tselem

H6754 noun

SILEX Entry

Root צ־ל־ם to shadow, to shade, to resemble

Definition

A visible representation, likeness, or statue, especially that which is formed to resemble a person, animal, deity, or an abstract entity. The term most commonly refers to a physical or material image shaped as a copy or representation, but may also denote a figurative likeness or counterpart, such as an abstract similarity or resemblance. In certain contexts, it can refer to the human as the visible 'image' of the divine, emphasizing form or outward appearance rather than essence.

Semantic Range

image, physical likeness, statue, idol, representation, visible form, resemblance, phantom; (abstractly) likeness, counterpart

Root / Etymology

From the root צ־ל־ם (צלם), which is thought to carry the core idea of 'to shade, to shadow,' though the verb form is not attested in Biblical Hebrew. The noun derives from this sense of 'shade' in the sense of a visible outline, representation, or likeness. The precise verbal root is not used, and thus etymology remains somewhat uncertain and is reconstructed from related Semitic roots.

Historical & Contextual Notes

צֶלֶם appears in classical biblical passages such as Genesis 1:26–27, expressing the concept of humankind being created in the 'image' of the deity, where it connotes representation or resemblance but not an exact duplication. In the later monarchic and exilic periods, צֶלֶם is often used for physical images, especially idols or statues in religious contexts (e.g., Daniel 3). The nuance between צֶלֶם and terms like תַּבְנִית (pattern, form) or פֶּסֶל (carved image) is notable—צֶלֶם often expresses the idea of likeness in visible form, whereas פֶּסֶל emphasizes carving or crafting. The translation 'idol' fits later contexts, but in Genesis, 'image' or 'likeness' better reflects the intent. In Qumran and later Jewish literature, צֶלֶם frequently maintains this dual sense: a visible or physical image and an abstract resemblance. The English term 'image' is suitable but may not always convey the nuance of physicality, representation, or idol. The word is rare in the Tanakh but highly significant in passages addressing the nature of humankind and religious practice.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from an unused root meaning to shade; a phantom, i.e. (figuratively) illusion, resemblance; hence, a representative figure, especially an idol; image, vain shew.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

צלם (ṣ-l-m) — shadowing, shading, resembling, forming a visible likeness

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H6755 צֶלֶם to the image
H6756 צַלְמוֹן in Shadow-place
H6758 צַלְמֹנָה in Deep-Shadow Place

Word Forms

9 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6754-06 צַלְמֵ֤י tsalemey HNcmpc images images of 5
H6754-03 בְּ/צֶ֥לֶם betselem HR/Ncmsc in image in image-of 3
H6754-09 וְ/צַלְמֵ֣י vetsalemey HC/Ncmpc and images of visible representations of 2
H6754-08 צְלָמָי/ו֙ tselamayv HNcmpc/Sp3ms its images his likeness-images 2
H6754-05 צַלְמָ֬/ם tsalemam HNcmsc/Sp3mp their image their image 1
H6754-07 צַלְמֵי/כֶ֑ם tsalemeykhem HNcmpc/Sp2mp your-images your images 1
H6754-01 בְּ/צַלְמֵ֖/נוּ betsalemenu HR/Ncmsc/Sp1cp in our image in our likeness 1
H6754-04 כְּ/צַלְמ֑/וֹ ketsalemo HR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms after his image as his image 1
H6754-02 בְּ/צַלְמ֔/וֹ betsalemo HR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms in his image in his likeness 1

Occurrences in Scripture

17 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6754-01 Genesis 1:26 בְּ/צַלְמֵ֖/נוּ betsalemenu HR/Ncmsc/Sp1cp in our image in our likeness
H6754-02 Genesis 1:27 בְּ/צַלְמ֔/וֹ betsalemo HR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms in his image in his likeness
H6754-03 Genesis 1:27 בְּ/צֶ֥לֶם betselem HR/Ncmsc in image in image-of
H6754-04 Genesis 5:3 כְּ/צַלְמ֑/וֹ ketsalemo HR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms after his image as his image
H6754-03 Genesis 9:6 בְּ/צֶ֣לֶם betselem HR/Ncmsc in the image in image-of
H6754-06 Numbers 33:52 צַלְמֵ֤י tsalemey HNcmpc images-of images of
H6754-06 1 Samuel 6:5 צַלְמֵ֨י tsalemey HNcmpc images of images of
H6754-09 1 Samuel 6:5 וְ/צַלְמֵ֣י vetsalemey HC/Ncmpc and images of visible representations of
H6754-06 1 Samuel 6:11 צַלְמֵ֥י tsalemey HNcmpc images of images of
H6754-08 2 Kings 11:18 צְלָמָי/ו֙ tselamayv HNcmpc/Sp3ms its images his likeness-images
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