צֶמַח
𐤑𐤌𐤇
tsemach
H6780 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A sprout or shoot that grows from the ground or a plant; more broadly, a new growth, bud, or branch. In some prophetic contexts, applied figuratively to a future leader arising from the house of David, indicating renewal or new beginnings, but the primary sense remains that of emergent plant growth.
Semantic Range
sprout, shoot, bud, new growth, branch; figurative—emergent leader, renewal, descendant (especially of the Davidic line)
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root צמח meaning 'to sprout, spring forth, grow'. The noun form צֶמַח denotes 'that which sprouts' or 'what has sprung forth', concretizing the abstract verbal idea into a specific thing—a shoot, sprout, or young growth.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In early biblical texts, צֶמַח refers concretely to vegetation—shoots, sprouts, or branches emerging from the earth or a parent plant (e.g., as in general agricultural language). In prophetic literature of the monarchic and exilic periods, however, the term acquires a figurative sense: it is used as a symbol or designation for a future Israelite leader, usually one expected to arise from the Davidic lineage (see Jeremiah 23:5; Zechariah 3:8, 6:12), conveying expectations of political or spiritual renewal. This figurative use should not be confused with later theological interpretations. The standard English 'branch' or 'shoot' is a valid translation in most instances, though in prophetic contexts, 'the Sprout' or 'the Shoot' as a descriptive title highlights the symbolic sense. The word is distinct from other terms for 'branch' or 'twig' (such as ענף or שרביט), which lack this prophetic/metaphoric usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from צָמַח; a sprout (usually concrete), literal or figurative; branch, bud, that which (where) grew (upon), spring(-ing).
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
צמח (ts-m-ḥ) — to sprout, to grow, to spring forth
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H6779 | צָמַח | I will cause to sprout |
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6780-02 |
צֶ֣מַח | tsemach | HNcmsc |
Branch | sprouting shoot | 6 |
H6780-03 |
צִמְחָ֔/הּ | tsimechah | HNcmsc/Sp3fs |
its growth | her sprout | 4 |
H6780-01 |
כְּ/צֶ֤מַח | ketsemach | HR/Ncmsc |
like-a-sprout | like a sprout of | 1 |
H6780-04 |
וְ/צֶ֖מַח | vetsemach | HC/Ncmsc |
and what grew | and sprout of | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
12 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6780-04 |
Genesis 19:25 | וְ/צֶ֖מַח | vetsemach | HC/Ncmsc |
and what grew | and sprout of |
H6780-02 |
Isaiah 4:2 | צֶ֣מַח | tsemach | HNcmsc |
Branch | sprouting shoot |
H6780-03 |
Isaiah 61:11 | צִמְחָ֔/הּ | tsimechah | HNcmsc/Sp3fs |
its sprout | her sprout |
H6780-02 |
Jeremiah 23:5 | צֶ֣מַח | tsemach | HNcmsa |
Branch | sprouting shoot |
H6780-02 |
Jeremiah 33:15 | צֶ֣מַח | tsemach | HNcmsc |
Branch | sprouting shoot |
H6780-01 |
Ezekiel 16:7 | כְּ/צֶ֤מַח | ketsemach | HR/Ncmsc |
like-a-sprout | like a sprout of |
H6780-03 |
Ezekiel 17:9 | צִמְחָ/הּ֙ | tsimechah | HNcmsc/Sp3fs |
its shoots | her sprout |
H6780-03 |
Ezekiel 17:10 | צִמְחָ֖/הּ | tsimechah | HNcmsc/Sp3fs |
of its growth | her sprout |
H6780-02 |
Hosea 8:7 | צֶ֚מַח | tsemach | HNcmsa |
sprout | sprouting shoot |
H6780-02 |
Zechariah 3:8 | צֶֽמַח | tsemach | HNcmsa |
the Branch | sprouting shoot |