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מְזַמְּרָה

𐤌𐤆𐤌𐤓𐤄

mᵉzammᵉrâh

H4212 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

An implement for cutting or pruning, typically a pruning-knife or pruning-hook. In context, refers specifically to a tool used for pruning grapevines, though in later periods the word can refer more generally to pruning instruments. Not a tweezer or snuffers in the sense of related cultic instruments, but rather a practical agricultural implement.

Semantic Range

pruning-knife, pruning-hook, implement for trimming vines or branches, agricultural cutting tool

Root / Etymology

From the root זמר (z-m-r), which means 'to prune, trim' (as in a vineyard). מְזַמְּרָה (mᵉzammᵉrâh) is a feminine noun form indicating 'pruning implement' or 'pruning-hook.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

The term appears in biblical texts (e.g., Isaiah 18:5) describing viticulture and vineyard management in ancient Israelite society. Although Strong's transitions to 'snuffers' reflects later translation traditions (targeting items used in temple service), the primary sense in biblical Hebrew is agricultural. A different term (מַלְקָחַיִם, malqachayim) is typically used for tongs or snuffers in cultic contexts. מְזַמְּרָה is distinct from other pruning or gathering implements such as sickles (חֶרְמֵשׁ) or knives (סַכִּין). In the LXX (Septuagint), the word is sometimes translated as 'pruning-knife.' In later Hebrew periods and in the Mishnah, related root forms can refer generally to trimming or musical activity, but מְזַמְּרָה as a noun remains occupationally agricultural. Modern translations sometimes render it inaccurately due to conflation with cultic implements.

Translation Consistency

primary "pruning hook" 0 occurrences

Four of five P2 renderings use “pruning-hooks,” and the SILEX range specifically describes a vine-pruning implement. “Pruning hook” is natural English, unambiguous for an agricultural cutting tool, and covers the typical and broader usages (pruning knife/hook) in context.

Alternatives (5 occurrences):
"pruning-hooks" (3x) "pruning hooks" (2x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from זָמַר; a tweezer (only in the plural); snuffers.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

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Root Family

זמר (z-m-r) — to prune, to trim, to cut back

Root זמר to prune, to trim, to cut back
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

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H4212-03 וְ/הַֽ/מְזַמְּר֧וֹת vehamezamerot HC/Td/Ncfpa and the snuffers and the pruning-hooks and the pruning hooks 2
H4212-01 הַֽ/מְזַמְּר֣וֹת hamezamerot HTd/Ncfpa snuffers the pruning-hooks the pruning-hooks 2
H4212-02 מְזַמְּר֤וֹת mezamerot HNcfpa snuffers pruning-hooks pruning-hooks 1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H4212-03 1 Kings 7:50 וְ/הַֽ/מְזַמְּר֧וֹת vehamezamerot HC/Td/Ncfpa and the snuffers and the pruning-hooks and the pruning hooks
H4212-02 2 Kings 12:14 מְזַמְּר֤וֹת mezamerot HNcfpa snuffers pruning-hooks pruning-hooks
H4212-01 2 Kings 25:14 הַֽ/מְזַמְּר֣וֹת hamezamerot HTd/Ncfpa snuffers the pruning-hooks the pruning-hooks
H4212-01 Jeremiah 52:18 הַֽ/מְזַמְּר֜וֹת hamezamerot HTd/Ncfpa snuffers the pruning-hooks the pruning-hooks
H4212-03 2 Chronicles 4:22 וְ/הַֽ/מְזַמְּר֧וֹת vehamezamerot HC/Td/Ncfpa and the snuffers and the pruning-hooks and the pruning hooks
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