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צַמֶּרֶת

𐤑𐤌𐤓𐤕

tsammereth

H6788 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

The uppermost part or crown of a tree, particularly referring to the leafy, flourishing branches at the top; by extension, the highest or most prominent point of a tree or structure. In poetic and prophetic texts, often used metaphorically to denote prominence, exaltation, or the apex of status or power.

Semantic Range

treetop, crown of a tree, uppermost foliage, highest or most prominent point, (by extension) apex or summit, metaphorical reference to prominence or eminence

Root / Etymology

Root צמר (ts-m-r), meaning 'wool' or 'wooliness.' צַמֶּרֶת derives from an association with thickness or a covering, likened to the thick, luxuriant foliage atop a tree, in analogy to the upper part of a tree being covered as with wool. The word itself means 'treetop' or 'crown of a tree.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, צַמֶּרֶת is generally used to describe the topmost leafy branches of large trees, especially in literary and prophetic imagery (e.g., Ezekiel 17:3-4). The term evokes richness, fullness, or splendor, likely drawing on the visual similarity between tangled branches and woolly fleece. Its use is often in passages emphasizing height, grandeur, and at times pride, in both literal arboreal and metaphorical political contexts (such as representing leaders or nations). English translations usually render it as 'top,' 'highest branch,' or 'crown,' but may miss the nuance of luxuriance or prominence suggested by the original. The term should be distinguished from other Hebrew words for 'branch' (e.g., עָנָף, שָׂרִיג) which refer to either the sturdy limbs or fruit-bearing offshoots lower in the tree; צַמֶּרֶת specifically marks the upper flourishing part. The association with 'wool' does not imply the tree has literal wool but signals the thriving, luxuriant nature of the foliage.

Translation Consistency

primary "treetop" 3 occurrences

צַמֶּרֶת primarily denotes the uppermost foliage or crown of a tree. "Treetop" is a natural, specific English noun that captures the literal sense (leafy crown, highest branches) while also functioning idiomatically for figurative uses of height or prominence, matching the SILEX range better than the more general "top" or the more figurative-only "crown."

Alternatives (2 occurrences):
"top of" (1x) "tops" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from the same as צֶמֶר; fleeciness, i.e. foliage; highest branch, top.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.

Root Family

צמר (Tsemari) — to be shaggy (uncertain), wool

Root צמר to be woolly, to cover thickly, luxuriate
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H6785 צֶמֶר in wool
H6786 צְמָרִי the Zemarite
H6787 צְמָרַיִם Double-Fleece Heights

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H6788-03 צַמַּרְתּֽ/וֹ tsamareto HNcfsc/Sp3ms its top its treetop crown its treetop crown 2
H6788-01 מִ/צַּמֶּ֧רֶת mitsameret HR/Ncfsc from-the-top from the woolly treetop of from the treetop of 1
H6788-02 צַמַּרְתָּ/ם֙ tsamaretam HNcfsc/Sp3mp tops their treetop crown their tops 1
H6788-04 צַמֶּ֥רֶת tsameret HNcfsc top treetop of top of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H6788-04 Ezekiel 17:3 צַמֶּ֥רֶת tsameret HNcfsc top treetop of top of
H6788-01 Ezekiel 17:22 מִ/צַּמֶּ֧רֶת mitsameret HR/Ncfsc from-the-top from the woolly treetop of from the treetop of
H6788-03 Ezekiel 31:3 צַמַּרְתּֽ/וֹ tsamareto HNcfsc/Sp3ms its top its treetop crown its treetop crown
H6788-03 Ezekiel 31:10 צַמַּרְתּ/וֹ֙ tsamareto HNcfsc/Sp3ms its top its treetop crown its treetop crown
H6788-02 Ezekiel 31:14 צַמַּרְתָּ/ם֙ tsamaretam HNcfsc/Sp3mp tops their treetop crown their tops
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