תֹּמֶר
a palm trunk
Definition
The Hebrew noun תֹּמֶר (tômer) refers specifically to the trunk or upright stem of a palm tree. It denotes the tall, straight, and unbranched column that supports the tree's crown of fronds. In its two biblical occurrences, it describes the palm trunk as a symbol of stability and uprightness. In Judges 4:5, it is the 'palm tree of Deborah,' a landmark where she judged Israel, and in Jeremiah 10:5, it is used metaphorically for an idol that is 'like a scarecrow in a cucumber field,' emphasizing its immobile, rigid, and lifeless nature compared to the living God.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only twice in the Old Testament, in two distinct contexts. In Judges 4:5, it appears in a historical narrative, identifying a specific geographical landmark ('the palm tree of Deborah') associated with leadership and judgment. In Jeremiah 10:5, it is used in a prophetic polemic against idolatry, where the rigid, immobile palm trunk becomes a simile for the impotence of man-made idols. The usage thus spans from a concrete, literal object to a powerful metaphorical image.
Etymology
The word תֹּמֶר (tômer) is derived from the same root as תָּמָר (tāmār, H8558), which means 'palm tree.' This root conveys the core idea of being upright, erect, or tall. תֹּמֶר specifies the main, columnar part of the tree. Cognates exist in other Semitic languages, like Ugaritic *tmr* and Arabic *tamr* (referring to dates), showing the word family's ancient association with the date palm and its products.
Semantic Range
While a specific noun for a tree part, תֹּמֶר gains theological significance through its contexts. In Judges 4:5, the palm trunk is the seat of Deborah's godly authority and justice, connecting the natural world to divine order. In Jeremiah 10:5, its metaphorical use is crucial for contrasting the dead, stationary nature of idols with the living, active, and sovereign God of Israel. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of Jeremiah's satire, highlighting the folly of worshiping something as inert as a tree trunk.
In the ancient Near East, the date palm was a vital source of food, shade, and materials. Its tall, straight, and resilient trunk was a recognizable symbol of stability and uprightness. The 'palm tree of Deborah' (Judges 4:5) likely served as a well-known communal gathering point, much like a town square or a notable tree. Jeremiah's audience would immediately grasp the irony of comparing a revered cult object to a common, stationary agricultural prop.
תָּמָר (tāmār, H8558) — Refers to the whole palm tree, including its fronds and fruit, not just the trunk. כַּפּוֹת תְּמָרִים (kappôt təmārîm) — Refers specifically to the palm branches or fronds (as in Leviticus 23:40).
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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