זִמָּה
a plan, especially a bad one
Definition
The Hebrew noun זִמָּה (zimmâh) primarily denotes a premeditated, evil plan or intention, often of a deeply immoral nature. In many contexts, it specifically refers to sexual immorality and perversion, as seen in the laws of Leviticus (e.g., Leviticus 18:17, 20:14). In other passages, it has a broader sense of wicked schemes or devices, such as the violent conspiracy described in Judges 20:6 or the general wicked thoughts mentioned in Job 17:11 and Psalm 119:150. Thus, the word consistently carries a strong negative connotation of deliberate, reprehensible intent.
Biblical Usage
זִמָּה is used 27 times in the Old Testament, predominantly in legal and poetic/wisdom literature. It appears frequently in Leviticus (chapters 18, 19, 20) to define forbidden sexual relationships, labeling them as abhorrent acts. In the narrative of Judges 20:6, it describes the horrific crime committed in Gibeah. The word is also used in wisdom contexts (Job 17:11, 31:11) for evil plans or desires, and in the Psalms (26:10, 119:150) to characterize the schemes of the wicked who oppose God and the righteous.
Etymology
זִמָּה derives from the root זָמַם (zāmam, H2161), which means 'to plan, devise, or plot,' usually with a negative intent. The noun form intensifies this sense, focusing on the evil plan itself. A variant spelling, זַמָּה (zammâ), also exists. The root and its derivatives consistently imply deliberate, premeditated thought leading to action.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it highlights the biblical view of sin as not merely impulsive action but often the result of deliberate, internal plotting. It underscores the seriousness of intentional evil, especially in the realm of sexual ethics, which violates God's created order and covenant holiness (Leviticus 18-20). Understanding זִמָּה enriches reading by revealing the depth of moral corruption that separates humanity from God and the need for a heart transformed away from such wicked devices.
In ancient Israelite culture, זִמָּה, particularly in its sexual sense, was not just a private failing but a communal defilement that threatened the purity and stability of the covenant community. Such acts were seen as polluting the land itself (Leviticus 18:24-28). This cultural understanding of corporate moral responsibility and holiness differs from modern, often individualistic, views of morality.
מַחֲשָׁבָה (maḥăšāḇâ, H4284) — a more neutral term for a thought, plan, or invention, which can be good or evil. תַּחְבֻּלָה (taḥbulâ, H8454) — generally means guidance or direction, but can imply a wise plan or, negatively, a cunning scheme. רָעָה (rāʿâ, H7451) — a broad term for evil, calamity, or distress, less specific to premeditated plotting.
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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