חַצְצוֹן תָּמָר
𐤇𐤑𐤑𐤅𐤍 𐤕𐤌𐤓
Chatsetson Tamar
H2688 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A place name referring to 'Hazezon-tamar,' which can be interpreted as 'enclosure (or row/parting) of the date-palm.' The term designates a specific location known in the Hebrew Bible for its association with the date-palm and possibly a distinctive feature such as a palm grove, enclosure, or cultivated area. The semantic range encompasses both the literal meaning ('enclosure/division/row of the date-palm') and its function as a geographical designation.
Semantic Range
enclosure or division of palm trees, palm grove, an area marked or enclosed by date palms, a settlement named for such a feature, Hazezon-tamar as a specific place
Root / Etymology
Compound of חָצַץ (ḥāṣaṣ, 'to divide, to separate, to fence/inclose') and תָּמָר (tāmār, 'date-palm'). The form חַצְצוֹן (or חַצֲצֹן variant) appears to be an abstract/construct noun meaning 'division,' 'parting,' or 'enclosure.' Thus, חַצְצוֹן תָּמָר means 'enclosure/partition of (the) date-palm.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, Hazezon-tamar is most prominently identified in Genesis 14:7 and 2 Chronicles 20:2 as a distinct location associated with groves of palm trees, later equated with the city of En-gedi (see 2 Chronicles 20:2). During the patriarchal period (Genesis), it marks a settlement or landmark, situated in the region eventually known as the Judean wilderness near the Dead Sea. The name likely originates from a geographical feature—a palm-lined area divided or enclosed for cultivation or protection. The meaning of 'division' or 'enclosure' likely refers to the way palm trees organized a space, or to constructed partitions typical of oasis agriculture. In later periods, the term continues as a poetic or historical reference to a real settlement, but by the late monarchy or post-exilic era it is primarily remembered as an ancient place name. English translations often transliterate the name as 'Hazezon-tamar,' but sometimes the rendering obscures the agricultural or geographic nuance suggested by the Hebrew; the association with date palms and enclosures is particularly significant in understanding the biblical landscape. Contrast this term with simple toponyms like תָּמָר ('Tamar'), which refer only to the palm without the nuance of division or enclosure.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or חַצֲצֹן תָּמָר; from חָצַץ and תָּמָר; division (i.e. perhaps row) of (the) palm-tree; Chatsetson-tamar, a place in Palestine; Hazezon-tamar.
Bantu Hebrew
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חצץ תמר (ḥ-ṣ-ṣ; t-m-r) — to divide, to separate, to enclose; palm tree, date palm
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2688-01 |
בְּ/חַֽצְצֹ֥ן | bechatsetson | HR/Np |
in Hazazon | in Date-Palm Enclosure | 2 |
H2688-02 |
תָּמָֽר | tamar | HNp |
tamar | Date-palm enclosure | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2688-01 |
Genesis 14:7 | בְּ/חַֽצְצֹ֥ן | bechatsetson | HR/Np |
in Hazezon | in Date-Palm Enclosure |
H2688-02 |
Genesis 14:7 | תָּמָֽר | tamar | HNp |
tamar | Date-palm enclosure |
H2688-01 |
2 Chronicles 20:2 | בְּ/חַֽצְצ֣וֹן | bechatsetson | HR/Np |
in Hazazon | in Date-Palm Enclosure |
H2688-02 |
2 Chronicles 20:2 | תָּמָ֔ר | tamar | HNp |
Tamar | Date-palm enclosure |