זְמוֹרָה
𐤆𐤌𐤅𐤓𐤄
zᵉmôwrâh
H2156 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A shoot, sprout, or twig—primarily of a vine plant—often emphasizing a branch that can be pruned or cut for propagation. The term specifically refers to the young, flexible portions of a vine, especially those suitable for being trained, cut, or transplanted. In extended contexts, it may refer to any branch, but the primary connotation remains with grapevine shoots.
Semantic Range
vine shoot, sprout, twig, vine branch suitable for cutting or transplanting, any flexible branch; especially a pruned shoot of a grapevine
Root / Etymology
From the root זמר (z-m-r), meaning 'to prune, trim,' especially in reference to vines. The noun זְמוֹרָה (zᵉmôwrâh) is a feminine noun formed from this root, denoting an offshoot or branch that results from or is subject to pruning, particularly in viticultural practice.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, זְמוֹרָה appears in agricultural and metaphorical contexts, often related to grapevine cultivation (e.g., Numbers 13:23, where spies cut a vine branch with a cluster of grapes). The underlying imagery is closely tied to Israelite vine-growing practices, where the selection, pruning, and propagation of vine shoots was essential to viticulture. The masculine form (זְמֹר) is extremely rare or debated textually. In later periods and Jewish literature, the term retains its association with vines, but may be extended metaphorically. Greek Septuagint translations often use klados ('branch, shoot') or hlos ('vine twig'), maintaining the viticultural nuance. English translations may render the word as 'branch' or 'shoot,' but these can obscure the specific context of grapevine cultivation. The word does not carry broader metaphorical or symbolic meanings for people or nations in the Old Testament, as related terms like נֵצֶר or שָׂרִיג can.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or זְמֹרָה (feminine); and זְמֹר (masculine); from זָמַר; a twig (as pruned); vine, branch, slip.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
זמר (z-m-r) — to prune, cut, trim (vines)
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2158 | זָמִיר | with musical songs |
| H2159 | זָמִיר | the pruned shoot |
| H2160 | זְמִירָה | Zemirah |
| H2167 | זָמַר | I will make music in praise |
| H2168 | זָמַר | you will prune |
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2156-01 |
הַ/זְּמוֹרָ֖ה | hazemorah | HTd/Ncfsa |
branch | the pruned vine-shoot | 2 |
H2156-03 |
וּ/זְמֹרֵי/הֶ֖ם | uzemoreyhem | HC/Ncfpc/Sp3mp |
and their vine branches | and their pruned vine-shoots | 1 |
H2156-02 |
וּ/זְמֹ֥רַת | uzemorat | HC/Ncfsc |
and cuttings | and vine-shoot of | 1 |
H2156-04 |
זְמוֹרָה֙ | zemorah | HNcfsa |
branch | pruned vine shoot | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2156-04 |
Numbers 13:23 | זְמוֹרָה֙ | zemorah | HNcfsa |
branch | pruned vine shoot |
H2156-02 |
Isaiah 17:10 | וּ/זְמֹ֥רַת | uzemorat | HC/Ncfsc |
and cuttings | and vine-shoot of |
H2156-01 |
Ezekiel 8:17 | הַ/זְּמוֹרָ֖ה | hazemorah | HTd/Ncfsa |
branch | the pruned vine-shoot |
H2156-01 |
Ezekiel 15:2 | הַ/זְּמוֹרָ֕ה | hazemorah | HTd/Ncfsa |
of the branch | the pruned vine-shoot |
H2156-03 |
Nahum 2:3 | וּ/זְמֹרֵי/הֶ֖ם | uzemoreyhem | HC/Ncfpc/Sp3mp |
and their vine branches | and their pruned vine-shoots |