← H6770 H6772 →

צָמֵא

𐤑𐤌𐤀

tsâmêʼ

H6771 adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Experiencing a physical sensation of needing water; thirsty. In extended or figurative uses, urgently longing or yearning for something, especially sustenance, relief, or divine favor.

Semantic Range

thirsty (physical sensation), experiencing lack of water, needing to drink, longing for relief or sustenance, yearning (especially for God or righteousness in figurative usage)

Root / Etymology

From the root צמא, meaning to thirst. The adjective צָמֵא derives directly from this root and denotes a state or condition of thirst.

Historical & Contextual Notes

צָמֵא is primarily used in the Hebrew Bible to describe both literal physical thirst (e.g., in the wilderness narratives or poetic laments) and, less commonly, intense longing or desire in a figurative sense (as in poetic or prophetic texts). The figurative use often highlights a deep need or yearning—sometimes for basic provision and at other times for divine presence, mercy, or righteousness, especially in the Psalms and prophetic literature. The sense of 'thirsting' for God appears particularly in exilic and post-exilic poetry, sometimes anticipating later theological language. However, in narrative contexts, the term overwhelmingly retains its literal meaning of physical thirst. While English translations sometimes use 'thirst' or 'thirsty,' the full intensity or existential vulnerability expressed in the Hebrew may not always be captured in translation. Contrast with related terms such as רָעֵב (rāʿēv, 'hungry'), which focuses on the lack of food rather than drink.

Translation Consistency

primary "thirsty" 9 occurrences

This lemma is an adjective meaning to experience the need for water or to long/yrn for something. "Thirsty" is the most natural, common English rendering (matches 8 of 9 existing P2 renderings) and fits both literal and figurative uses; it keeps consistent adjectival form across all occurrences.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from צָמֵא; thirsty (literally or figuratively); (that) thirst(-eth, -y).

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.

Root Family

צמא (tsâmêʼ) — to thirst, to long for, to feel dehydration

Root צמא to thirst, need water, long for
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H6770 צָמֵא you will thirst
H6772 צָמָא in the thirst
H6773 צִמְאָה from thirst
H6774 צִמָּאוֹן to a thirsty wasteland

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H6771-03 צָמֵ֖א tsame HAamsa the thirsty thirsty one thirsty one 5
H6771-01 הַ/צָּמֵא֙ hatsame HTd/Aamsa the thirsty [man] the thirsty one the thirsty man 1
H6771-02 הַ/צְּמֵאָֽה hatsemeah HTd/Aafsa the dry the thirsty (feminine) the thirsty 1
H6771-04 צְמֵאִ֑ים tsemeim HAampa thirsty thirsty ones thirsty ones 1
H6771-05 וְ/צָמֵ֖א vetsame HC/Aamsa and thirsty thirsty and thirsty 1

Occurrences in Scripture

9 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H6771-02 Deuteronomy 29:18 הַ/צְּמֵאָֽה hatsemeah HTd/Aafsa the dry the thirsty (feminine) the thirsty
H6771-05 2 Samuel 17:29 וְ/צָמֵ֖א vetsame HC/Aamsa and thirsty thirsty and thirsty
H6771-03 Isaiah 21:14 צָמֵ֖א tsame HAamsa the thirsty thirsty one thirsty one
H6771-01 Isaiah 29:8 הַ/צָּמֵא֙ hatsame HTd/Aamsa the thirsty [man] the thirsty one the thirsty man
H6771-03 Isaiah 32:6 צָמֵ֖א tsame HAamsa thirsty thirsty one thirsty one
H6771-03 Isaiah 44:3 צָמֵ֔א tsame HAamsa the thirsty thirsty one thirsty one
H6771-03 Isaiah 55:1 צָמֵא֙ tsame HAamsa who thirsts thirsty one thirsty one
H6771-04 Psalms 107:5 צְמֵאִ֑ים tsemeim HAampa thirsty thirsty ones thirsty ones
H6771-03 Proverbs 25:21 צָ֝מֵ֗א tsame HAamsa is thirsty thirsty one thirsty one
← H6770 Hebrew Lexicon H6772 →