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צְמָרַיִם

𐤑𐤌𐤓𐤉𐤌

Tsemarayim

H6787 noun

SILEX Entry

Root צמר wool, fleece (of sheep)

Definition

Tsᵉmârayim is a toponym referring to a location associated with the northern boundary of the territory of Benjamin in the First Temple period. Semantically, the form is a dual construct based on the root meaning 'wool,' potentially signifying 'double fleece' or, by extension, 'heights (covered) with fleeces' or 'woolly/rugged hills.' In context, it designates a specific place—likely a settlement or area situated on or near hill country—named for its geographic or agricultural features rather than a literal association with fleece or wool.

Semantic Range

a location or settlement named Tsᵉmârayim; 'double fleece'; 'place of fleece/wool'; by extension, possible reference to paired hills or sheep pastureland

Root / Etymology

Derived from the noun צֶמֶר (ṣemer, 'wool') and constructed as a dual form, suggesting plurality or a notable pair (e.g. two hills or a region known for abundance of wool or wool-covered hills). The place name is thus built from the root צ–מ–ר, which means 'wool,' extended by the dual ending -ַיִם (-ayim). The connection to literal wool is metaphorical or descriptive of the locale.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Tsᵉmârayim appears in the Hebrew Bible (for example, Joshua 18:22 and 2 Chronicles 13:4) as a geographic marker. Its identification has been debated in modern scholarship but it is generally thought to refer to a location north of Jerusalem within Benjaminite territory during the monarchic period. There is an interpretive tradition tracing the name to 'double fleece,' reflecting either paired hillsides or the agricultural significance of the area (possibly sheep grazing land). In later translations and traditions, the place is rendered as 'Zemaraim,' and in the King James Version and subsequent English Bibles, this is transliterated. There is no evidence that the inhabitants were referred to by a corresponding gentilic. Related toponyms sometimes share the dual form, indicating paired geographical features. In the biblical context, use of the dual may simply emphasize distinct topographical prominences. The name's connection to 'wool' is etymological and descriptive rather than the root meaning of the place itself.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

dual of צֶמֶר; double fleece; Tsemarajim, a place in Palestine; Zemaraim.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

צמר (ṣ-m-r) — wool, fleece

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H6785 צֶמֶר in wool
H6786 צְמָרִי the Zemarite
H6788 צַמֶּרֶת from the woolly treetop of

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6787-01 צְמָרַ֔יִם tsemarayim HNp Zemaraim Double-Fleece Heights 1
H6787-02 וּ/צְמָרַ֖יִם utsemarayim HC/Np and Zemaraim Twin Fleece Hills 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6787-02 Joshua 18:22 וּ/צְמָרַ֖יִם utsemarayim HC/Np and Zemaraim Twin Fleece Hills
H6787-01 2 Chronicles 13:4 צְמָרַ֔יִם tsemarayim HNp Zemaraim Double-Fleece Heights
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