שְׁרֵמָה

a common

Definition

The Hebrew noun שְׁרֵמָה (shᵉrêmâh) refers to a cultivated field or piece of land. It appears only once in the Old Testament, in Jeremiah 31:40, where it describes a specific area—the 'field of the dead bodies and of the ashes'—that will be included within the holy boundaries of a rebuilt Jerusalem. The word essentially denotes an agricultural plot, similar to the more common term for 'field' (שָׂדֶה, śāḏeh). Given its single, specific usage, its meaning is consistent and contextual, tied to a geographic location in the prophet's vision of restoration.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only one time in the entire Hebrew Bible, in Jeremiah 31:40. It occurs in a prophetic oracle detailing the future expansion and sanctification of Jerusalem. The context is a description of physical boundaries, specifying that even a place associated with death and impurity (the field of dead bodies and ashes) will be 'holy to the LORD.' Its usage is purely geographical and descriptive within this singular, visionary context.

Etymology

Most lexicons and scholars, following the note in Strong's Concordance, consider שְׁרֵמָה (H8309) to be an orthographical (scribal) error or a rare variant for the more standard Hebrew word שְׁדֵמָה (shᵉḏêmâh, H7709), which means 'field' or 'cultivated land.' שְׁדֵמָה itself is derived from the root שׁד"ם (šdm), relating to cultivation. Therefore, שְׁרֵמָה carries the same core meaning of an arable field, its form likely resulting from a minor textual variation.

Semantic Range

While the word itself is a common noun for a field, its sole biblical occurrence in Jeremiah 31:40 is theologically significant. It is part of a powerful promise of restoration and purification. The prophecy declares that even a place of profound defilement and death will be made sacred and included within God's holy city. Understanding this term as a 'field' highlights the transformation God promises—taking ordinary, even unclean, land and consecrating it, symbolizing the comprehensive nature of His future redemption and the removal of all impurity from His people and their dwelling place.

In ancient Israelite culture, a 'field' (שְׁרֵמָה/שְׁדֵמָה) was a fundamental economic asset, representing sustenance, livelihood, and inheritance. Fields were typically plots of cultivated land for growing grain, vineyards, or other crops. The specific field mentioned in Jeremiah 31:40, associated with 'dead bodies and ashes,' likely refers to a known location outside the city used for disposal or a place of historical judgment, making its inclusion in the future holy boundaries a radical image of cleansing and renewal.

שָׂדֶה (śāḏeh, H7704) — The most common and general term for a field, countryside, or cultivated land. שְׁדֵמָה (shᵉḏêmâh, H7709) — A cultivated field or flatland, the probable intended word behind שְׁרֵמָה.

Word Details

Scripture References