זֶמֶר
𐤆𐤌𐤓
zemer
H2169 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A type of wild, antelope-like animal—likely a species of mountain goat or ibex—known for its agility and ability to move lightly over rocky terrain. In biblical usage, refers to a specific clean animal permitted as food, often rendered 'chamois' or 'wild goat' in translations. The precise zoological identification is uncertain, but it denotes a fleet, sure-footed animal inhabiting mountainous regions.
Semantic Range
wild goat, ibex, chamois, mountain antelope or gazelle, a clean wild animal permitted for food
Root / Etymology
From the root זמר (z-m-r), whose core meanings include 'to prune, trim' (in one sense) and 'to sing' (in another, unrelated sense). Here, the noun זֶמֶר appears to derive from the root idea of 'cutting' or 'trimming,' possibly alluding metaphorically to the animal's movement through rough terrain, as if it 'cuts' or 'skims' across rocks. The etymological connection, however, is not certain; it may simply be a coincidence of spelling without a transparent semantic link to the verbal root.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The term זֶמֶר appears only in Deuteronomy 14:5 in the context of permitted animals for Israelite dietary laws. Its precise identification remains debated; traditional translation as 'chamois' or 'wild goat' reflects attempts to equate ancient species with modern counterparts, but neither the European chamois nor the modern gazelle exactly fit ancient Near Eastern fauna. Some propose it refers to the Nubian ibex (Capra nubiana), a mountain-dwelling ungulate familiar in the Levant. Rabbinic tradition often leaves the zoological identity open; modern scholars caution against over-precise identification. Later English Bibles sometimes translate with the anachronistic term 'chamois,' although this animal was not native to ancient Israel. The word is distinct from other biblical terms for deer (אַיָּל, צְבִי) or wild goats (יַּעֵל), reflecting the rich terminology for local fauna in biblical Hebrew.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
apparently from זָמַר or זָמַר; a gazelle (from its lightly touching the ground); chamois.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
זמר (z-m-r) — to cut, prune, trim; to sing (unrelated homonym)
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2156 | זְמוֹרָה | the pruned vine-shoot |
| H2158 | זָמִיר | with musical songs |
| H2159 | זָמִיר | the pruned shoot |
| H2160 | זְמִירָה | Zemirah |
| H2167 | זָמַר | I will make music in praise |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2169-01 |
וָ/זָֽמֶר | vazamer | HC/Ncmsa |
and mountain sheep | wild mountain goat | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2169-01 |
Deuteronomy 14:5 | וָ/זָֽמֶר | vazamer | HC/Ncmsa |
and mountain sheep | wild mountain goat |