צָמָא
𐤑𐤌𐤀
tsâmâʼ
H6772 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A state or sensation of needing or longing for water; physical thirst experienced due to lack of water, and by extension, strong yearning or desire for something, especially for relief or refreshment. Most commonly used to denote literal bodily thirst, especially in arid contexts, but occasionally figuratively for intense longing.
Semantic Range
thirst (state or sensation), a need for water, intense longing or yearning (metaphorical), parched condition, excessive desire (rare/poetic)
Root / Etymology
צָמָא is derived from the root צמא, which means 'to thirst' or 'to be thirsty.' The noun form denotes the state or condition resulting from that action. The root itself is associated primarily with the sensation of thirst or the lack of water.
Historical & Contextual Notes
צָמָא is primarily used to describe literal, physical thirst, particularly in the context of wilderness journeys, drought, or periods of deprivation (e.g., Deuteronomy 8:15, Isaiah 41:17). In some instances, it is used metaphorically to indicate a deep longing or yearning, whether for water, relief, or (in later texts) something more abstract (e.g., Psalm 63:2 [Heb. 63:1]). The word is sometimes paired with רעב ('hunger') to describe states of deprivation. English translations usually render it simply as 'thirst,' but context sometimes warrants 'thirsty' or 'parched.' The figurative use remains secondary and is context-dependent. In the monarchic and exilic periods, it retained its primary physical sense but expanded to more figurative uses in poetic and wisdom literature.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from צָמֵא; thirst (literally or figuratively); thirst(-y).
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
צמא (ṣ-m-ʾ) — to thirst, to be thirsty, to long for water
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H6770 | צָמֵא | you will thirst |
| H6771 | צָמֵא | the thirsty one |
| H6773 | צִמְאָה | from thirst |
| H6774 | צִמָּאוֹן | to a thirsty wasteland |
Word Forms
8 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6772-01 |
בַּ/צָּמָֽא | batsama | HRd/Ncmsa |
with thirst | in the thirst | 7 |
H6772-03 |
צָמָֽא | tsama | HNcmsa |
a thirst | thirst | 2 |
H6772-05 |
וּ/בְ/צָמָ֛א | uvetsama | HC/R/Ncmsa |
and by thirst | and in thirst | 2 |
H6772-02 |
לִ/צְמָאָ֑/ם | litsemaam | HR/Ncmsc/Sp3mp |
for their thirst | for their thirst | 2 |
H6772-06 |
בַ/צָּמָ֔א | vatsama | HRd/Ncmsa |
in thirst | in thirst | 1 |
H6772-07 |
וְ֝/לִ/צְמָאִ֗/י | velitsemai | HC/R/Ncmsc/Sp1cs |
and for my thirst | and for my thirst | 1 |
H6772-04 |
צְמָאָֽ/ם | tsemaam | HNcmsc/Sp3mp |
their thirst | their thirst | 1 |
H6772-08 |
וְ/צָמָֽא | vetsama | HC/Ncmsa |
and thirsty | thirst | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
17 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6772-01 |
Exodus 17:3 | בַּ/צָּמָֽא | batsama | HRd/Ncmsa |
with thirst | in the thirst |
H6772-05 |
Deuteronomy 28:48 | וּ/בְ/צָמָ֛א | uvetsama | HC/R/Ncmsa |
and in thirst | and in thirst |
H6772-01 |
Judges 15:18 | בַּ/צָּמָ֔א | batsama | HRd/Ncmsa |
of thirst | in the thirst |
H6772-03 |
Isaiah 5:13 | צָמָֽא | tsama | HNcmsa |
thirst | thirst |
H6772-01 |
Isaiah 41:17 | בַּ/צָּמָ֣א | batsama | HRd/Ncmsa |
with thirst | in the thirst |
H6772-01 |
Isaiah 50:2 | בַּ/צָּמָֽא | batsama | HRd/Ncmsa |
of thirst | in the thirst |
H6772-06 |
Jeremiah 48:18 | בַ/צָּמָ֔א | vatsama | HRd/Ncmsa |
in thirst | in thirst |
H6772-08 |
Ezekiel 19:13 | וְ/צָמָֽא | vetsama | HC/Ncmsa |
and thirsty | thirst |
H6772-01 |
Hosea 2:5 | בַּ/צָּמָֽא | batsama | HRd/Ncmsa |
with thirst | in the thirst |
H6772-03 |
Amos 8:11 | צָמָ֣א | tsama | HNcmsa |
a thirst | thirst |