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תָּמִיד

𐤕𐤌𐤉𐤃

tâmîyd

H8548 noun

SILEX Entry

Root תמיד to continue, to persist, to be regular or constant

Definition

A state or condition of continuity, persistence, or regularity; especially, an action or phenomenon that is ongoing or occurs at regular intervals. In cultic contexts, signifies ritual acts performed at designated times without interruption or as a continual obligation (such as the regular burnt offering). The term can refer more generally to unceasing duration, habitual action, or permanent status.

Semantic Range

continuity, constancy, perpetual duration, regularity, habitual or repeated action, the regular (standing) daily cultic offering, without interruption, always, continually, at all times

Root / Etymology

Root/Etymology: Root: תמיד (ת־מ־ד). The root תמד is not clearly attested elsewhere in biblical Hebrew and is of uncertain etymology, but related Semitic roots suggest meanings of 'to continue,' 'to persist,' or 'to stretch out.' The noun תמיד derives from this root and conveys the sense of unbroken continuity or regularity, though its precise verbal origin in Hebrew remains obscure.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical Hebrew, תמיד functions both adverbially ('continually,' 'regularly') and substantivally (e.g., 'the continual burnt offering'). Most notably, it is used for the perpetual or daily sacrifices mandated in the Torah (e.g., Exodus 29:38-42; Numbers 28:3-10), indicating their status as regular, unceasing elements of Israelite ritual. In poetic and wisdom literature, תמיד expresses constancy or perpetual states (e.g., Psalm 109:15, 'always before YHWH'). Later biblical texts continue this usage, but in post-exilic and Second Temple periods, the term becomes closely associated with the twice-daily tamid ('standing') sacrifice, a concept foundational for Israelite and Judahite temple ritual. The standard English renderings 'continual,' 'perpetual,' and 'regular' capture main senses, but sometimes miss the idiomatic and cultic specificity. Distinct from terms like נֶצַח (continuity or permanence, especially in poetry) and עוֹלָם (eternity), תמיד emphasizes repeated or unfailing occurrence more than infinite duration.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from an unused root meaning to stretch; properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as adjective) constant (or adverbially, constantly); ellipt. the regular (daily) sacrifice; alway(-s), continual (employment, -ly), daily, (n-)ever(-more), perpetual.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

תמד (t-m-d) — continuity, persistence, regularity, constancy

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H8548-02 תָּמִֽיד tamid HNcmsa continually continuity 78
H8548-01 הַ/תָּמִ֖יד hatamid HTd/Ncmsa the continual the continual-regularity 24
H8548-03 וְ/תָמִ֥יד vetamid HC/Ncmsa and-continually and constancy 2

Occurrences in Scripture

104 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H8548-02 Exodus 25:30 תָּמִֽיד tamid HNcmsa continually continuity
H8548-02 Exodus 27:20 תָּמִֽיד tamid HNcmsa continually continuity
H8548-02 Exodus 28:29 תָּמִֽיד tamid HNcmsa continually continuity
H8548-02 Exodus 28:30 תָּמִֽיד tamid HNcmsa continually continuity
H8548-02 Exodus 28:38 תָּמִ֔יד tamid HNcmsa continually continuity
H8548-02 Exodus 29:38 תָּמִֽיד tamid HNcmsa continually continuity
H8548-02 Exodus 29:42 תָּמִיד֙ tamid HNcmsa continual continuity
H8548-02 Exodus 30:8 תָּמִ֛יד tamid HNcmsa continually continuity
H8548-02 Leviticus 6:6 תָּמִ֛יד tamid HNcmsa continually continuity
H8548-02 Leviticus 6:13 תָּמִ֑יד tamid HNcmsa continual continuity
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