צַלְמֻנָּע
𐤑𐤋𐤌𐤍𐤏
Tsalemuna
H6759 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Tsalmunnaʻ functions as a proper name, specifically designating one of the two principal Midianite chieftains defeated by Gideon in the book of Judges. The name appears to mean 'denied shade' or 'protection withheld,' reflecting a compound formed from the words for 'shadow/shade' and 'to withhold/withhold from.' In biblical contexts, personal names of this type could express a parental hope, observed trait, or even a memorialization of a historical event. The semantic range thus centers on this individual and, by extension, may allude to denial of protection, especially as understood in ancient Near Eastern metaphorical language, where 'shade' or 'shadow' often connotes protection or favor.
Semantic Range
proper name (Midianite leader), with overtone of denied protection or withheld favor; by extension, conceptually referring to one deprived of protection or whose protection has been removed
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root צ-ל-ל (צל; 'shade, shadow') and מ-נ-ע (מנע; 'to withhold, restrain, deny'). The name is a compound, likely meaning 'shade is withheld' or 'withheld of shade/protection.' Such compounds are common in Northwest Semitic onomastics, yet the specific motivation or nuance often remains uncertain beyond the literal components.
Historical & Contextual Notes
צַלְמֻנָּע (Tsalmunnaʻ) appears in Judges 8 as a Midianite leader. The use of 'shade/shadow' in names culturally signified protection or divine favor, so the combination with 'to withhold' implies loss, denial, or absence of such protection. The name does not appear outside this narrative. The rendering as 'Zalmunna' in some English versions reflects medieval transliterations and vocalizations but does not alter the basic meaning. The insertion of 'Jew' or related religious-connoting language in English translations is inappropriate and anachronistic for this context; the text refers to a non-Israelite, specifically a Midianite adversary. English translations usually preserve the name itself, but its underlying meaning is rarely explored. Related to other West Semitic personal names built on the 'shade/protection' motif, some with positive, others with negative or ambivalent connotation.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from צֵל and מָנַע; shade has been denied; Tsalmunna, a Midianite; Zalmunna.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
צלמנע (ṣ-l-m-n-ʿ) — shade, shadow, protection; to withhold, deny, restrain
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6759-03 |
וְ/צַלְמֻנָּ֖ע | vetsalemuna | HC/Np |
and Zalmunna | and Shade-Withheld | 7 |
H6759-01 |
צַלְמֻנָּ֖ע | tsalemuna | HNp |
Zalmunna | Shade-Withheld | 4 |
H6759-02 |
וּ֝/כְ/צַלְמֻנָּ֗ע | ukhetsalemuna | HC/R/Np |
and like Zalmunna | Withheld-Shadow | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
12 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6759-03 |
Judges 8:5 | וְ/צַלְמֻנָּ֖ע | vetsalemuna | HC/Np |
and Zalmunna | and Shade-Withheld |
H6759-03 |
Judges 8:6 | וְ/צַלְמֻנָּ֛ע | vetsalemuna | HC/Np |
and Zalmunna | and Shade-Withheld |
H6759-01 |
Judges 8:7 | צַלְמֻנָּ֖ע | tsalemuna | HNp |
Zalmunna | Shade-Withheld |
H6759-03 |
Judges 8:10 | וְ/צַלְמֻנָּ֜ע | vetsalemuna | HC/Np |
and Zalmunna | and Shade-Withheld |
H6759-03 |
Judges 8:12 | וְ/צַלְמֻנָּ֔ע | vetsalemuna | HC/Np |
and Zalmunna | and Shade-Withheld |
H6759-01 |
Judges 8:12 | צַלְמֻנָּ֔ע | tsalemuna | HNp |
Zalmunna | Shade-Withheld |
H6759-03 |
Judges 8:15 | וְ/צַלְמֻנָּ֑ע | vetsalemuna | HC/Np |
and Zalmunna | and Shade-Withheld |
H6759-03 |
Judges 8:15 | וְ/צַלְמֻנָּ֤ע | vetsalemuna-2 | HC/Np |
and Zalmunna | and Shade-Withheld |
H6759-01 |
Judges 8:18 | צַלְמֻנָּ֔ע | tsalemuna | HNp |
Zalmunna | Shade-Withheld |
H6759-03 |
Judges 8:21 | וְ/צַלְמֻנָּ֗ע | vetsalemuna | HC/Np |
and Zalmunna | and Shade-Withheld |