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צֶלֶם

𐤑𐤋𐤌

tselem

H6755 noun

SILEX Entry

Root צלם to shape, to represent, to make a likeness

Definition

Concrete representation of the form, likeness, or appearance of something, typically as an object or image. In the Hebrew Bible, primarily used to refer to a physical image—whether a statue, idol, or figure—but also uniquely for the 'image' of a deity, especially in the formula 'in the image of God.' Semantic range includes the physical representation, the abstract idea of likeness or form, and sometimes a cultic or religious context of material embodiment.

Semantic Range

image, figure, likeness, statue, idol, form, representation

Root / Etymology

From the root צ-ל-ם, which conveys the idea of shaping or resembling, 'to create an image or representation.' The lexical item derives from this root and refers to a copy or likeness made to resemble something else, often used for statues or depictions. Cognate forms occur in Aramaic and other Northwest Semitic languages. The form is a masculine noun.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, צֶלֶם appears most famously in Genesis 1:26–27, where it refers to humanity created 'in the image of God,' denoting a concrete or abstract resemblance, not implying physical likeness but rather a representation or reflection of divine qualities. In other contexts (e.g., Numbers 33:52, Ezekiel 7:20), the term denotes physical images or statues, especially those associated with idolatrous practices, in contrast to other terms for 'idol' such as פֶּסֶל (pesel, carved image) or מַסֵּכָה (massekah, cast image). The word's scope is broader than later English 'idol,' encompassing both positive and negative uses, and it can also mean general form or appearance (e.g., Daniel 2:31, Aramaic usage). Later tradition and translations sometimes equate the term with 'idol' or 'statue,' but its Hebrew usage is not inherently negative. The semantic nuance in Genesis is unique, where it does not denote a material object but a theological or ontological status. The Aramaic cognate צְלֵם is functionally equivalent and appears in Daniel.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) or צְלֶם; (Aramaic), corresponding to צֶלֶם; an idolatrous figure; form, image.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

צלם (ṣ-l-m) — to shape, to represent, to make a likeness

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H6754 צֶלֶם in our likeness
H6756 צַלְמוֹן in Shadow-place
H6758 צַלְמֹנָה in Deep-Shadow Place

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H6755-03 צַלְמָ֨/א tsalema ANcmsd/Td the image the image 5
H6755-05 וּ/לְ/צֶ֧לֶם uletselem AC/R/Ncmsc and-to-image and to image-of 3
H6755-02 לְ/צֶ֣לֶם letselem AR/Ncmsc the image to an image of 3
H6755-01 לְ/צַלְמָ/א֙ letsalema AR/Ncmsd/Td the image to the image 3
H6755-04 צְלֵ֥ם tselem ANcmsa an image shaped image 2
H6755-06 וּ/צְלֵ֤ם utselem AC/Ncmsc and the form image-of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

17 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H6755-04 Daniel 2:31 צְלֵ֥ם tselem ANcmsa image shaped image
H6755-03 Daniel 2:31 צַלְמָ֨/א tsalema ANcmsd/Td statue the image
H6755-03 Daniel 2:32 צַלְמָ֗/א tsalema ANcmsd/Td image the image
H6755-01 Daniel 2:34 לְ/צַלְמָ/א֙ letsalema AR/Ncmsd/Td the image to the image
H6755-01 Daniel 2:35 לְ/צַלְמָ֗/א letsalema AR/Ncmsd/Td the statue to the image
H6755-04 Daniel 3:1 צְלֵ֣ם tselem ANcmsa an image shaped image
H6755-03 Daniel 3:2 צַלְמָ֔/א tsalema ANcmsd/Td the image the image
H6755-03 Daniel 3:3 צַלְמָ֔/א tsalema ANcmsd/Td of the image the image
H6755-03 Daniel 3:3 צַלְמָ֔/א tsalema-2 ANcmsd/Td the image the image
H6755-02 Daniel 3:5 לְ/צֶ֣לֶם letselem AR/Ncmsc to image to an image of
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