שַׂלְמָא
𐤔𐤋𐤌𐤀
Salema
H8007 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Proper noun: Salma — a personal name designating two individuals in biblical genealogies; most likely derived from a term meaning 'garment' or 'clothing.' The name itself does not function as a common noun in biblical usage, but as a distinctive identifier for specific Israelite ancestors. The underlying sense may relate metaphorically to being 'clothed' (in dignity, inheritance, or position), but no such metaphor is explicit in the text. Used almost exclusively as a genealogical name, not as a term for apparel.
Semantic Range
personal name (Salma, of two Israelites); related to the term 'garment' in other forms; not used as a common noun in biblical texts
Root / Etymology
Root: שלם (š-l-m) likely for שַׂלְמָה (salmah, 'garment'), though the spelling שַׂלְמָא is a dialectical or orthographic variant. The name is probably derived from this noun, which denotes 'garment' or 'cloak.' Some suggest a link to an earlier Semitic root related to covering or clothing, but the precise derivation is uncertain.
Historical & Contextual Notes
שַׂלְמָא (Salmâʼ) appears in genealogical lists (e.g., Ruth 4:20, 1 Chronicles 2:11), designating prominent ancestors within the tribe of Judah. In these contexts, the name does not carry descriptive meaning, but functions as a patronymic. The underlying noun שַׂלְמָה ('cloak, garment') is not directly linked in biblical narrative to these persons, nor is there any clear evidence of symbolic usage in the context. English translations typically treat the name as 'Salma.' In translation tradition, the KJV and others have sometimes rendered the name as 'Salmon' in parallel lists, but this appears elsewhere (H8009) and should be distinguished. There is no indication that the biblical figures so named were associated with clothing production, function, or symbolism in narrative. The use of שַׂלְמָא as a common noun for 'clothing' is unattested; such meaning appears only in related forms (שַׂלְמָה).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
probably for שַׂלְמָה; clothing; Salma, the name of two Israelites; Salma.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שׂלמ (ś-l-m) — to cover, to clothe, garment
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8007-01 |
שַׂלְמָ֔א | salema | HNp |
Salma | Salma | 3 |
H8007-02 |
וְ/שַׂלְמָ֖א | vesalema | HC/Np |
and Salma | and Salma | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8007-01 |
1 Chronicles 2:11 | שַׂלְמָ֔א | salema | HNp |
Salma | Salma |
H8007-02 |
1 Chronicles 2:11 | וְ/שַׂלְמָ֖א | vesalema | HC/Np |
and Salma | and Salma |
H8007-01 |
1 Chronicles 2:51 | שַׂלְמָא֙ | salema | HNp |
Salma | Salma |
H8007-01 |
1 Chronicles 2:54 | שַׂלְמָ֗א | salema | HNp |
Salma | Salma |