סָמַן
to designate
Definition
The Hebrew verb סָמַן (çâman) means to designate, appoint, or mark out for a specific purpose. In its sole biblical occurrence in Isaiah 28:25, it describes the farmer's action of designating or marking out the area where different types of seeds are to be sown. The word carries the sense of intentional, careful planning and allocation. It implies a deliberate act of setting something apart according to a wise design.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Isaiah 28:25. The context is agricultural: the prophet Isaiah uses the imagery of a skilled farmer who 'designates' (סָמַן) his plot for dill, cummin, wheat, and barley. The usage is metaphorical, illustrating God's own wise and orderly governance over His people and His judgment. The singular occurrence places it within the poetic and prophetic literature, specifically in a passage contrasting human wisdom with divine instruction.
Etymology
סָמַן is a primitive root. Its core meaning relates to marking or designating. Cognates in other Semitic languages suggest a connection to ideas of a sign, mark, or monument. The development of meaning points from the physical act of making a mark to the more abstract sense of appointing or designating for a purpose.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, סָמַן contributes to the important biblical theme of God's sovereign and wise ordering. In Isaiah 28:23-29, the farmer's careful design becomes a parable for God's meticulous and purposeful dealings with His people and the nations. It underscores that God's actions—whether in cultivation or judgment—are not random but are appointed with perfect wisdom and intention. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading by highlighting the deliberate care behind divine providence.
In its agricultural context, the word reflects the careful, knowledgeable practice of ancient Near Eastern farming. Different seeds required different soil treatments and planting methods. To 'designate' a specific area for each crop was an act of skilled planning essential for a successful harvest. This cultural reality grounds the prophet's metaphor in everyday life, making the theological point about God's wise governance more tangible.
יָעַץ (yâʿaṣ, H3289) — to advise or counsel, focusing on the planning stage rather than the act of marking out. קָבַע (qâbaʿ, H6906) — to fix, appoint, or establish, often with a sense of permanence. שָׂים (śîm, H7760) — a very common verb meaning to put, set, or place, with a broader, more general sense.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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