צְמִיתֻת

𐤑𐤌𐤉𐤕𐤕

tsᵉmîythuth

H6783 noun

SILEX Entry

Root צמת to cut off, destroy completely, eradicate

Definition

A state or condition of being completely cut off; destruction or total annihilation. Typically used adverbially in prepositional phrases to mean 'utterly,' 'to full extinction,' or 'perpetually.' The term signifies an absolute, irreversible end to existence or presence, frequently with a focus on the thoroughness of the destruction.

Semantic Range

utter destruction, total annihilation, complete excision, perpetual extinction, absolutely, utterly

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root צָמַת (tsamat), meaning 'to cut off,' 'eradicate,' or 'destroy.' The form צְמִיתֻת is a feminine noun indicating the result or state of being cut off, i.e., 'excision' or 'destruction.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

צְמִיתֻת appears only a handful of times in the Hebrew Bible, notably in adverbial constructs often with prep. לְ (le-, 'to,' 'unto'), e.g., לְצְמִיתֻת ('to utter destruction,' 'for perpetuity of obliteration'). In biblical usage, it emphasizes totality and permanence of the eradication; it is not restricted to temporal concepts but conveys the completeness of annihilation. Unlike terms such as כָּרֵת (karet, 'cutting off') which can refer to exclusion or excommunication, צְמִיתֻת centers on a final, total state. Later translations and traditions sometimes rendered the term as 'forever' or 'continually,' but this can mislead by missing the nuance of irrevocable destruction. In the Hebrew Bible, the word serves to reinforce the absolute character of certain divine judgments, especially in the context of curses or threats of national or personal extinction.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or צְמִתֻת; from צָמַת; excision, i.e. destruction; used only (adverbially) with prepositional prefix to extinction, i.e. perpetually; ever.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

צמת (ts-m-t) — cut off, destroy completely, eradicate

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H6789 צָמַת I will utterly annihilate

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H6783-01 לַ/צְּמִיתֻ֛ת latsemitut HRd/Ncfsa for-permanence to utter annihilation for perpetuity 1
H6783-02 לִ/צְמִתֻ֔ת litsemitut HR/Ncfsa permanently to utter annihilation to utter annihilation 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H6783-02 Leviticus 25:23 לִ/צְמִתֻ֔ת litsemitut HR/Ncfsa permanently to utter annihilation to utter annihilation
H6783-01 Leviticus 25:30 לַ/צְּמִיתֻ֛ת latsemitut HRd/Ncfsa for-permanence to utter annihilation for perpetuity