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צֶמַח

𐤑𐤌𐤇

tsemach

H6780 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A sprout or shoot that grows from the ground or a plant; more broadly, a new growth, bud, or branch. In some prophetic contexts, applied figuratively to a future leader arising from the house of David, indicating renewal or new beginnings, but the primary sense remains that of emergent plant growth.

Semantic Range

sprout, shoot, bud, new growth, branch; figurative—emergent leader, renewal, descendant (especially of the Davidic line)

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root צמח meaning 'to sprout, spring forth, grow'. The noun form צֶמַח denotes 'that which sprouts' or 'what has sprung forth', concretizing the abstract verbal idea into a specific thing—a shoot, sprout, or young growth.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In early biblical texts, צֶמַח refers concretely to vegetation—shoots, sprouts, or branches emerging from the earth or a parent plant (e.g., as in general agricultural language). In prophetic literature of the monarchic and exilic periods, however, the term acquires a figurative sense: it is used as a symbol or designation for a future Israelite leader, usually one expected to arise from the Davidic lineage (see Jeremiah 23:5; Zechariah 3:8, 6:12), conveying expectations of political or spiritual renewal. This figurative use should not be confused with later theological interpretations. The standard English 'branch' or 'shoot' is a valid translation in most instances, though in prophetic contexts, 'the Sprout' or 'the Shoot' as a descriptive title highlights the symbolic sense. The word is distinct from other terms for 'branch' or 'twig' (such as ענף or שרביט), which lack this prophetic/metaphoric usage.

Translation Consistency

primary "sprout" 12 occurrences

'Sprout' is the most natural, common English word that captures the primary botanical sense (sprout/shoot/bud/new growth) and works well figuratively for an emergent descendant or leader. It matches the majority of existing renderings ('sprouting'/'sprout') and is versatile as both noun and verb for consistent translation.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from צָמַח; a sprout (usually concrete), literal or figurative; branch, bud, that which (where) grew (upon), spring(-ing).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

צמח (ts-m-ḥ) — to sprout, to grow, to spring forth

Root צמח to sprout, to grow, to spring forth
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H6779 צָמַח I will cause to sprout

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H6780-02 צֶ֣מַח tsemach HNcmsc Branch sprouting shoot sprouting shoot 6
H6780-03 צִמְחָ֔/הּ tsimechah HNcmsc/Sp3fs its growth her sprout her sprout 4
H6780-01 כְּ/צֶ֤מַח ketsemach HR/Ncmsc like-a-sprout like a sprout of like a sprout 1
H6780-04 וְ/צֶ֖מַח vetsemach HC/Ncmsc and what grew and sprout of and sprout of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

12 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H6780-04 Genesis 19:25 וְ/צֶ֖מַח vetsemach HC/Ncmsc and what grew and sprout of and sprout of
H6780-02 Isaiah 4:2 צֶ֣מַח tsemach HNcmsc Branch sprouting shoot sprouting shoot
H6780-03 Isaiah 61:11 צִמְחָ֔/הּ tsimechah HNcmsc/Sp3fs its sprout her sprout her sprout
H6780-02 Jeremiah 23:5 צֶ֣מַח tsemach HNcmsa Branch sprouting shoot sprouting shoot
H6780-02 Jeremiah 33:15 צֶ֣מַח tsemach HNcmsc Branch sprouting shoot sprouting shoot
H6780-01 Ezekiel 16:7 כְּ/צֶ֤מַח ketsemach HR/Ncmsc like-a-sprout like a sprout of like a sprout
H6780-03 Ezekiel 17:9 צִמְחָ/הּ֙ tsimechah HNcmsc/Sp3fs its shoots her sprout her sprout
H6780-03 Ezekiel 17:10 צִמְחָ֖/הּ tsimechah HNcmsc/Sp3fs of its growth her sprout her sprout
H6780-02 Hosea 8:7 צֶ֚מַח tsemach HNcmsa sprout sprouting shoot sprouting shoot
H6780-02 Zechariah 3:8 צֶֽמַח tsemach HNcmsa the Branch sprouting shoot sprouting shoot
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