סַנְסִן
𐤎𐤍𐤎𐤍
çançin
H5577 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A slender or tapering shoot or twig, typically referring to a small branch or offshoot of a plant, especially one that is pointed or elongated. The term denotes a young branch or sprout characterized by its thinness and pointed nature, sometimes distinguishable from thicker, established branches.
Semantic Range
slender twig, tapering shoot, small branch, flexible bough
Root / Etymology
Root/etymology uncertain. The word סַנְסִן (san'sin) is a hapax legomenon and does not occur with a clear, recognizable root elsewhere in Biblical Hebrew; Strong suggested an unused root meaning 'to be pointed,' but this is not attested outside lexicographic tradition. Phonetic similarity to other Semitic roots for 'thorn' or 'spine' exist, but no direct root can be confirmed.
Historical & Contextual Notes
סַנְסִן (san'sin) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in Judges 16:13, where it refers to the material used in the binding of Samson—commonly translated as 'withes,' 'cords,' or 'twigs.' The term designates a botanical element, likely a flexible, slender twig or shoot suitable for weaving or tying. Its specific identification with a particular plant or type of branch is uncertain. In early Israelite context, such plant material would have been used for practical tasks like binding or crafting, and the word may have implied flexibility and pointedness. Later translation traditions (Septuagint, Vulgate) adopt generic terms for a supple plant shoot, which may obscure nuances of the Hebrew. The rarity of the term and its hapax status limit its lexical certitude; its narrow usage also means it did not develop significant semantic shifts or cultic/religious associations.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from an unused root meaning to be pointed; a twig (as tapering); bough.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
סנסן (s-n-s-n) — slenderness, pointedness, sprouting
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5577-01 |
בְּ/סַנְסִנָּ֑י/ו | besanesinayv | HR/Ncmpc/Sp3ms |
of-its-branches | in its slender twigs | its slender twigs | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5577-01 |
Song of Songs 7:9 | בְּ/סַנְסִנָּ֑י/ו | besanesinayv | HR/Ncmpc/Sp3ms |
of-its-branches | in its slender twigs | its slender twigs |