נִמְרִים
𐤍𐤌𐤓𐤉𐤌
Nimerim
H5249 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A toponym denoting a location east of the Jordan River, likely characterized by clear, flowing waters; in context, refers to a place known for its springs or streams, specifically in the region of Moab or near the Israelite tribal allotments. The word represents a place rather than a personal name, and its meaning is tied to the environmental feature (likely clear or abundant water).
Semantic Range
place with clear or flowing waters, location east of the Jordan, water feature in Moab, plural form indicating multiple springs or streams; toponym distinct from personal names or generic terms for water
Root / Etymology
From the root נמר (nimr), possibly meaning 'clear, spotless, clean' or related to 'leopard' (by similarity of spelling), but in this toponym likely reflecting the sense of clearness or brightness, especially as applied to water. נִמְרִים is the plural form, perhaps reflecting 'waters of Nimrah/Nimrim,' or the presence of multiple springs or streams. There may be a connection to the nearby locations בֵּית נִמְרָה (Beth-nimrah) and נִמְרָה (Nimrah).
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, נִמְרִים appears as a place name in prophetic oracles (Isaiah 15:6; Jeremiah 48:34) related to Moab, where its waters are described as failing or drying up, emphasizing the loss of a valued natural resource. The location is east of the Jordan, close to or within the territory historically associated with the Moabites. The plural form may indicate multiple springs or a region encompassing several water sources. This is to be distinguished from Beth-nimrah (בֵּית נִמְרָה), an Israelite settlement in the same general region. English translations often render 'waters of Nimrim,' focusing on the water-related aspect, although 'Nimrim' itself is a transliteration of the underlying Hebrew place name and does not directly denote people from Nimrah. Later Jewish, Christian, and translation traditions sometimes identify Nimrim with modern Tell Nimrin near the Jordanian side of the Jordan valley. The identifying quality of the place—its clear waters—may also symbolize blessing and prosperity lost in times of judgment, as reflected in its prophetic usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
plural of a masculine corresponding to נִמְרָה; clear waters; Nimrim, a place East of the Jordan; Nimrim. Compare בֵּית נִמְרָה.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
נמר (n-m-r) — clarity, purity, brightness
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1039 | בֵּית נִמְרָה | Leopard-Settlement |
| H5245 | נְמַר | leopard |
| H5246 | נָמֵר | like a spotted feline |
| H5247 | נִמְרָה | and Nimrah |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5249-01 |
נִמְרִ֖ים | nimerim | HNp |
Nimrim | Clear-Waters | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5249-01 |
Isaiah 15:6 | נִמְרִ֖ים | nimerim | HNp |
Nimrim | Clear-Waters |
H5249-01 |
Jeremiah 48:34 | נִמְרִ֔ים | nimerim | HNp |
of Nimrim | Clear-Waters |