סַנְסַנָּה
𐤎𐤍𐤎𐤍𐤄
Sanesanah
H5578 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A bough or branch; as a proper noun, the name of a settlement mentioned in the southern territories allotted to the tribe of Judah (Joshua 15:31). The term primarily denotes a (tree) branch, but occurs as a place name in the biblical text.
Semantic Range
branch, bough; place name (settlement in southern Judah)
Root / Etymology
Root: סנן (s-n-n). Though the precise derivation is uncertain, the root סנן conveys the idea of 'to branch out' or 'to grow pointed/tapered,' possibly related to sharpness or extension. The word סַנְסַנָּה is the feminine form, likely formed through reduplication for emphasis or augmentation. The connection to the idea of 'branch' is supported by parallel forms in related Semitic languages, though direct derivation within Hebrew is uncertain.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Occurrences are limited to its singular mention as a place name in Joshua 15:31, alongside other settlements in the Negev region attributed to the tribe of Judah. The root meaning of 'branch' is parallel to other Hebrew botanical terms for branch (e.g., זֵרָה, עָנָף), though סַנְסַנָּה is rare and possibly archaic or dialectal. The use as a toponym may reflect local vegetation or metaphorical extension (i.e., 'Outgrowth' or 'Branching Place'), but the precise cultural significance is obscure. Standard English translations typically transliterate the toponym as 'Sansannah.' There is no later historical or religious significance attached to the term beyond its biblical place-name usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
feminine of a form of סַנְסִן; a bough; Sansannah, a place in Palestine; Sansannah.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
סנן (s-n-n) — to branch, to extend, to sprout
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5578-01 |
וְ/סַנְסַנָּֽה | vesanesanah | HC/Np |
and Sansannah | and Branching-place | and Sanesanah | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5578-01 |
Joshua 15:31 | וְ/סַנְסַנָּֽה | vesanesanah | HC/Np |
and Sansannah | and Branching-place | and Sanesanah |