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צַלְמָוֶת

𐤑𐤋𐤌𐤅𐤕

tsalmâveth

H6757 noun

SILEX Entry

Root צלםות to shade, to die

Definition

A deep darkness or extreme gloom, often associated with mortal peril or the nearness of death; metaphorically, a place or condition of utter obscurity or calamity, such as profound distress, deep despair, or situations where the threat of destruction or death looms. In poetic contexts, commonly refers to the realm of death, a state of being near death, or the experience of profound darkness (both literal and metaphorical).

Semantic Range

deep darkness, extreme gloom, mortal peril, place of death, realm of the dead (Sheol), calamity, existential or emotional devastation, profound distress, obscurity, destruction, figurative application to dangerous or overwhelming situations

Root / Etymology

Compound term from the roots צֵל (ṣēl, 'shadow') and מָוֶת (māwet, 'death'). The primary meaning of צֵל is 'shadow,' 'shade,' or 'protection from the sun,' while מָוֶת signifies 'death.' Combined, the term describes a condition characterized by the extreme darkness—literal or symbolic—surrounding death or mortal threat. The compound nature reinforces the gravity of the darkness, emphasizing its association with mortality and danger rather than with simple shade or night.

Historical & Contextual Notes

צַלְמָוֶת appears most frequently in poetic and wisdom literature, particularly in the books of Job (e.g. Job 3:5, 10:21-22, 12:22, 16:16, 24:17, 28:3, 34:22, 38:17), Psalms (particularly Ps 23:4, 44:19, 107:10, 107:14), and occasionally in prophetic literature. The word is never used as a concrete geographic place but always connotes an existential state or a metaphorical landscape. In later translation traditions, e.g., the Septuagint and early English Bibles, it was often rendered as 'shadow of death,' which captured the poetic gloom but sometimes led to a narrow association exclusively with the grave or death itself. In biblical usage, the term can refer to places of extreme danger (literal darkness or uncertainty, such as wilderness, ravines, or captivity) as well as inward states of fear, calamity, or distress. It differs from ordinary terms for darkness (e.g., חֹשֶׁךְ ḥōshek) by highlighting proximity to death and existential threat. Over time, the phrase came to signify not just physical mortality but also spiritual or psychological experiences of devastation or abandonment, especially in Psalms and post-exilic writings. English 'shadow of death' adequately conveys but somewhat limits the nuance; 'deep darkness,' 'thick gloom associated with death,' or 'mortal darkness' better capture the breadth.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from צֵל and מָוֶת; shade of death, i.e. the grave (figuratively, calamity); shadow of death.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

צלמות (ṣ-l-m-w-t) — shade, shadow, death, dying, mortal darkness

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6757-02 צַלְמָ֔וֶת tsalemavet HNcmsa shadow of death death-shadow darkness 10
H6757-03 וְ/צַלְמָ֔וֶת vetsalemavet HC/Ncmsa and deep shadow death-shadow 7
H6757-01 לְ/צַלְמָ֔וֶת letsalemavet HR/Ncmsa to-shadow-of-death to death-shadow darkness 1

Occurrences in Scripture

18 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6757-02 Isaiah 9:1 צַלְמָ֔וֶת tsalemavet HNcmsa of deep darkness death-shadow darkness
H6757-03 Jeremiah 2:6 וְ/צַלְמָ֔וֶת vetsalemavet HC/Ncmsa and-shadow-of-death death-shadow
H6757-01 Jeremiah 13:16 לְ/צַלְמָ֔וֶת letsalemavet HR/Ncmsa to-shadow-of-death to death-shadow darkness
H6757-02 Amos 5:8 צַלְמָ֔וֶת tsalemavet HNcmsa deep darkness death-shadow darkness
H6757-02 Psalms 23:4 צַלְמָ֡וֶת tsalemavet HNcmsa of the shadow of death death-shadow darkness
H6757-03 Psalms 44:20 בְ/צַלְמָֽוֶת vetsalemavet HR/Ncmsa with deep darkness death-shadow
H6757-03 Psalms 107:10 וְ/צַלְמָ֑וֶת vetsalemavet HC/Ncmsa and deep darkness death-shadow
H6757-03 Psalms 107:14 וְ/צַלְמָ֑וֶת vetsalemavet HC/Ncmsa and the shadow of death death-shadow
H6757-03 Job 3:5 וְ֭/צַלְמָוֶת vetsalemavet HC/Ncmsa and the shadow of death death-shadow
H6757-03 Job 10:21 וְ/צַלְמָֽוֶת vetsalemavet HC/Ncmsa and deep shadow death-shadow
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