צִדִּים
𐤑𐤃𐤉𐤌
Tsidim
H6661 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Tsiddim—proper name of a location, most likely meaning 'the sides' or 'the cliffs/slopes.' In its only occurrence, the word designates the Valley of Siddim, a region referenced in narratives related to the campaign of the eastern kings. The primary lexical sense pertains to a location characterized by 'sides,' possibly in a topographical sense (e.g., steep flanks or bordering cliffs).
Semantic Range
sides, flanks (of something); cliffs or slopes (by extension); as a proper noun: name of a locality/valley (Valley of Siddim/Siddim)
Root / Etymology
Formed as a plural of צַד (tsad, 'side, flank'), from the root צ-ד-ד, which generally relates to 'sides' or 'aspects.' Siddim is likely a toponym describing a valley defined by its 'sides' or steep features, typical of biblical place-naming practices. The derivation from the root indicates a geographic or physical description.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Tsiddim is only attested as the name of an ancient locality—the 'Valley of Siddim' (עֵמֶק הַצִּדִּים)—in Genesis 14:3, the location of a famous battle among Canaanite city-states and eastern kings. The term itself likely conveys 'valley with steep sides' or 'valley of the cliffs,' referring to the topographic features of the southern Dead Sea basin. Later, the valley is said to become the Salt Sea. The translation 'sides' is literal but does not capture the precise topographical nuance in English. The term does not directly refer to inhabitants or a people group; its use as a placename likely reflects common Israelite practice of naming locations after their physical features. No evidence associates the term with later place-names or identities. English versions sometimes render the name as 'Siddim,' and some traditions later identify it with submerged regions near the Dead Sea, but precise identification remains speculative.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
plural of צַד; sides; Tsiddim (with the article), a place in Palestine; Ziddim.
Bantu Hebrew
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+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
צדד (ṣ-d-d) — side, flank, set aside
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6661-01 |
הַ/צִּדִּ֣ים | hatsidim | HTd/Np |
Ziddim | the Sides | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6661-01 |
Joshua 19:35 | הַ/צִּדִּ֣ים | hatsidim | HTd/Np |
Ziddim | the Sides |