צָמִיד
a bracelet or arm-clasp; generally, a lid
Definition
The Hebrew word צָמִיד primarily refers to a piece of jewelry worn on the arm, specifically a bracelet or armlet. This is its most common meaning, as seen in the story of Rebekah, where she receives golden bracelets (צָמִידִים) as part of her bridal gift (Genesis 24:22, 30, 47). In a secondary, more specialized sense, the word can denote a covering or lid, specifically the lid of a cooking pot, as referenced in the ritual purity laws of Numbers 19:15. This dual meaning connects the idea of something that clasps or encloses, whether adorning the body or sealing a vessel.
Biblical Usage
צָמִיד is used seven times in the Old Testament. Its primary usage as 'bracelet' appears in narrative contexts, particularly in Genesis 24 concerning Rebekah, and in prophetic imagery in Ezekiel 16:11 and 23:42, where bracelets symbolize adornment and covenant relationship. The secondary meaning of 'covering' or 'lid' appears only in legal/ritual contexts, specifically in Numbers 19:15 regarding the impurity of an open vessel. The usage in Numbers 31:50 refers to armlets offered as war plunder, consistent with the jewelry sense.
Etymology
The noun צָמִיד (or its variant צָמִד) derives from the root צָמַד (H6775), meaning 'to bind, join, fasten.' This root sense clearly informs both meanings of the noun: a bracelet is something fastened around the arm, and a lid is something fastened onto a pot. The word's development shows how a core concept of 'fastening' can apply to both personal adornment and functional objects.
Semantic Range
While primarily a common object, צָמִיד carries theological weight in its symbolic use. In Ezekiel 16:11, God adorns Jerusalem with bracelets as part of establishing a covenant with her, making them symbols of divine election, beauty, and commitment. Their misuse in Ezekiel 23:42 then symbolizes idolatrous alliances and spiritual adultery. Understanding this enriches the reading of these prophetic passages, transforming a simple item of jewelry into a metaphor for faithfulness or infidelity within God's covenant relationship.
In the ancient Near East, bracelets (צָמִידִים) were significant cultural items, often made of precious metals and denoting status, wealth, and beauty. They were common bridal gifts, as seen with Rebekah, signifying the groom's family's provision and the bride's new honored position. The secondary meaning as a 'pot lid' reflects everyday domestic life, where ensuring a vessel was properly covered was crucial for ritual purity laws, highlighting the integration of spiritual practice with mundane objects.
עֲגִיל (‛ăgîyl, H5694) — a general term for a ring or earring, worn on the ear rather than the arm. כּוּמָז (kûmâz, H3558) — a specific type of golden ornament or pendant, possibly worn on the chest or arm, mentioned in the context of the tabernacle offerings (Exodus 35:22).
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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