Strong's Lexicon semel: Image, idol, figure Original Word: סֶמֶל Word Origin: From an unused root meaning to resemble Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: - G1504 εἰκών (eikōn) – image, likeness - G1497 εἴδωλον (eidōlon) – idol Usage: The Hebrew word "semel" refers to an image or idol, often used in the context of a physical representation of a deity or a figure that is worshiped. It is typically associated with idolatry, which is strongly condemned in the Hebrew Scriptures. The term emphasizes the physical form or likeness that is crafted to represent a god or an object of worship. Cultural and Historical Background: In the ancient Near East, the creation and worship of idols were common practices among various cultures. These idols were often crafted from wood, stone, or metal and were believed to house the spirit of the deity they represented. The Israelites, however, were commanded by God to worship Him alone and to avoid the creation and worship of idols, as outlined in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:4-5). The presence of "semel" in the biblical text highlights the tension between the Israelites' call to monotheism and the surrounding polytheistic cultures. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition an image, statue NASB Translation figure (1), idol (4). Brown-Driver-Briggs סֶ֫מֶל noun masculineEzekiel 8:5 perhaps originally proper name, of divinity, then Generally image, statue (Phoenician סמל id., feminine סמלת, Lzb151, 329, also פנסמלת Id329; BauRel. i. 88 understands ׳ס to be designation of foreign god); — absolute ׳הַסּ2Chronicles 33:7,15, סָ֑מֶל Deuteronomy 4:16; construct סֵ֫מֶל Ezekiel 8:3,5; — image, figure of anything, ׳מֶּסֶל תְּמוּנַת כָּלסֿ Deuteronomy 4:16; idol-image ׳מֶּסֶל הַסּ2Chronicles 33:7 and (מֶּסֶל omitted) 2 Chronicles 33:15; סֵמֶל הַקִּנְאָה Ezekiel 8:3 the statue of jealousy, i.e. that rouses ׳י's jealousy, = Ezekiel 8:5. סמם (√ of following; meaning dubious; if akin to Arabic Strong's Exhaustive Concordance figure, idol, image Or cemel {say'-mel}; from an unused root meaning to resemble; a likeness -- figure, idol, image. Forms and Transliterations הַסֶּ֖מֶל הַסֶּ֙מֶל֙ הסמל סֵ֖מֶל סֵ֛מֶל סָ֑מֶל סמל has·se·mel hassemel sā·mel Samel sāmel sê·mel Semel sêmelLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Deuteronomy 4:16 HEB: תְּמוּנַ֣ת כָּל־ סָ֑מֶל תַּבְנִ֥ית זָכָ֖ר NAS: of any figure, the likeness KJV: the similitude of any figure, the likeness INT: the form of any figure the likeness of male 2 Chronicles 33:7 2 Chronicles 33:15 Ezekiel 8:3 Ezekiel 8:5 5 Occurrences |
|
smell Lane1593, 
any fragrant plant Id1594, then ס must be for שׂ; in that case ׳ס perhaps loan-word in Hebrew; Late Hebrew id., spice, drug (Ecclus ׳שׂ Ecclesiasticus 38:4 m.), Aramaic סַמָּא id.; 
drug, pigment; Arabic 
poison is apparently loan-word Frä262). 
