תַּמְרוּק
𐤕𐤌𐤓𐤅𐤒
tamrûwq
H8562 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A cleansing agent, especially one used for washing or beautification, typically in liquid or salve form; may refer to soap, cosmetic ointment, or other substances applied for ritual or physical purification, particularly for the skin. In some contexts, the term denotes agents or treatments used in beautification processes, especially for women.
Semantic Range
cleansing agent, cosmetic preparation, soap, ointment, beautification substance, means or process of purification
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root מָרַק (marak), meaning 'to polish, scour, cleanse.' The word תַּמְרוּק is a noun formation indicating an agent or means of cleansing or scouring. While the root focuses on the action of scrubbing or cleaning, the lexical item refers to the substance or preparation used for this purpose, especially in personal or ritual purification.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, תַּמְרוּק appears primarily in contexts related to the beautification routines of women, such as those described in the book of Esther, where preparations involve cosmetic and hygienic treatments. The term is not exclusively tied to ritual purification, but may also include secular beauty treatments. In later periods and modern Hebrew, the word evolved to mean 'cosmetic' or 'toiletry.' English translations often render it as 'ointment,' 'cosmetic,' or 'purification,' though these do not always capture the original nuance of thorough cleansing or beautification. Distinct from other ritual purification terms such as מִקְוֶה (miqveh, 'ritual bath') or טָהֳרָה (taharah, 'purity'), תַּמְרוּק emphasizes the use of an external agent in the cleansing or beautification process, rather than immersion or ritual status. The term is attested sparsely in the biblical corpus and is mainly associated with royal or courtly settings, particularly in Persian-period narratives.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or תַּמְרֻק; or תַּמְרִיק; from מָרַק; properly, a scouring, i.e. soap or perfumery forthe bath; figuratively, a detergent; [idiom] cleanse, (thing for) purification(-fying).
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
מרק (m-r-q) — to scour, cleanse, polish
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4795 | מָרוּק | their purifying rubbings |
| H4838 | מָרַק | polished one |
| H4839 | מָרָק | the boiled broth |
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8562-04 |
וּ/בְ/תַמְרוּקֵ֖י | uvetameruqey | HC/R/Ncmpc |
and with the cosmetics | and with cleansing-agents of | and with cosmetics of | 1 |
H8562-01 |
תַּמְר֣וּק | tameruq | HNcmsa |
scouring | cleansing ointment | scouring | 1 |
H8562-02 |
תַּמְרוּקֶ֤י/הָ | tameruqeyha | HNcmpc/Sp3fs |
her beauty treatments | her cleansing agents | her beauty treatments | 1 |
H8562-03 |
תַּמְרוּקֵי/הֶֽן | tameruqeyhen | HNcmpc/Sp3fp |
their cosmetics | their cleansing ointments | their cosmetics | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8562-01 |
Proverbs 20:30 | תַּמְר֣וּק | tameruq | HNcmsa |
scouring | cleansing ointment | scouring |
H8562-03 |
Esther 2:3 | תַּמְרוּקֵי/הֶֽן | tameruqeyhen | HNcmpc/Sp3fp |
their cosmetics | their cleansing ointments | their cosmetics |
H8562-02 |
Esther 2:9 | תַּמְרוּקֶ֤י/הָ | tameruqeyha | HNcmpc/Sp3fs |
her beauty treatments | her cleansing agents | her beauty treatments |
H8562-04 |
Esther 2:12 | וּ/בְ/תַמְרוּקֵ֖י | uvetameruqey | HC/R/Ncmpc |
and with the cosmetics | and with cleansing-agents of | and with cosmetics of |