סָ֑מֶל
𐤎𐤌𐤋
çemel
figure
A carved or cast image or statue, particularly one representing a deity or embodying a symbolic likeness, often associated with religious veneration or idolatry in ancient Near Eastern contexts. The term can denote any physical object fashioned as a representation, especially those worshipped or honored as divine in non-Israelite cultic practice.
Deuteronomy 4:16 · Word #8
Lexicon H5566
| Lemma | סֶמֶל |
| Lemma (Paleo) | 𐤎𐤌𐤋 |
| Transliteration | çemel |
| Strong's | H5566 |
| Definition | A carved or cast image or statue, particularly one representing a deity or embodying a symbolic likeness, often associated with religious veneration or idolatry in ancient Near Eastern contexts. The term can denote any physical object fashioned as a representation, especially those worshipped or honored as divine in non-Israelite cultic practice. |
Morphology HNcmsa
All morphology codes
| Part of Speech | N — Noun — A person, place, thing, or idea |
| Subtype | c — Common — Common noun |
| Gender | m — Masculine — Masculine |
| Number | s — Singular — Singular |
| State | a — Absolute — The noun stands independently |
Common Translation
| Phrase | figure |
SIBI-P1 Translation H5566-02
carved likeness-image
| Morphological Notes | Noun, masculine singular absolute. |
| Rendering Rationale | This rendering preserves the core idea of a formed resemblance (סמל) as a physical representation, while reflecting its typical function as a carved or fashioned object embodying a likeness. The singular masculine absolute form is conveyed by the singular noun phrase. |
View full lexicon entry for H5566 →
SILEX v2
SIBI-P2 (Context-Aware)
figure
| Same as P1 | No — adjusted for context |
| Rationale | P1 'carved likeness-image' is too explanatory; in this construction, 'figure' is more contextually appropriate, matching common and Hebrew usage as a physical representation. |