חֶרְמוֹנִים
Hermons, i.e. its peaks
Definition
The Hebrew word חֶרְמוֹנִים (Chermôwnîym) is the plural form of 'Hermon,' referring to the multiple peaks or summits of Mount Hermon. It specifically denotes 'the Hermons' or 'the Hermonites,' highlighting the mountain's rugged, multi-peaked nature. This term appears only in Psalm 42:6, where the psalmist, feeling distant from God, recalls the land of Jordan and 'the Hermonites' from the hill Mizar, symbolizing a place of memory and geographical grandeur. The plural emphasizes the mountain's imposing presence as a landmark.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Psalm 42:6 (or Psalm 42:7 in some English versions). It is employed in a poetic, geographical context to evoke a specific, majestic location—the peaks of Mount Hermon—as the psalmist reflects on God from a distant land. The usage is descriptive, helping to anchor the psalmist's lament in a real, familiar landscape of Israel's far north.
Etymology
חֶרְמוֹנִים is the plural form of חֶרְמוֹן (Chermôn, H2768), meaning 'Hermon.' The root likely relates to the idea of 'devotion' or 'sanctuary' (from חֵרֶם, chērem, H2764), possibly indicating a sacred or consecrated place. As a proper noun, it specifically names the prominent mountain range, with the plural suffix emphasizing its multiple peaks.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, this word enriches the theological imagery of Psalm 42. Mount Hermon was a significant northern landmark, often associated with height, majesty, and God's creation (cf. Psalm 133:3, where Hermon's dew symbolizes blessing). In Psalm 42:6, 'the Hermonites' represent a distant, remembered place from which the psalmist cries out to God, enhancing themes of longing, remembrance, and God's presence even in far-off lands. It reminds readers that God's sovereignty extends over all geography, from Zion to the remote peaks.
In ancient Israelite culture, Mount Hermon was the tallest mountain in the region, marking the northern border of the Promised Land and often covered with snow. Its plural name, 'the Hermons,' reflected the common perception of its multiple summits. This mountain was likely associated with pagan worship (given its height), making its mention in a psalm to Yahweh notable—it is reclaimed as part of God's domain. Modern readers might miss this geographical and cultural significance, seeing it merely as a place name.
חֶרְמוֹן (Chermôn, H2768) — the singular form, referring to Mount Hermon as a whole. שִׂנְעִיר (Sinʿîr, H8149) — another name for Mount Hermon or a part of it, used in Deuteronomy 3:9. שְׂנִיר (Śənîr, H8149) — a variant name for Hermon, found in Song of Solomon 4:8.
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.
Full methodology & sources →