6775. tsamad

Lexical Summary

tsamad: To bind, join, attach

Original Word: צָמַד
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: tsamad
Pronunciation: tsaw-mad'
Phonetic Spelling: (tsaw-mad')
KJV: fasten, frame, join (self)
NASB: joined, fastened, frames
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to link, i.e. gird
2. (figuratively) to serve, (mentally) contrive

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

fasten, frame, join self

A primitive root; to link, i.e. Gird; figuratively, to serve, (mentally) contrive -- fasten, frame, join (self).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to bind, join
NASB Translation
fastened (1), frames (1), joined (3).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

[צָמַד] verb bind, join (Arabic bind, wind, specifically of girl with two lovers We^{GGN 1893, 470}; fasten (cattle) to yoke Dozy, yoke, Id.; Assyrian ƒmâdu, bind, harness, so Ethiopic and III. be attached, attach oneself, specifically be (religiously) devoted; Aramaic צְמַד, , bind); —

Niph`al Imperfect3masculine singular וַיִּצָּ֫מֶד Numbers 25:3; 3masculine plural וַיִּצָּֽדְֶוּ Psalm 106:28; Participle plural נִעצמָדִים Numbers 25:5; join, attach, oneself to (ל) Baal Peor, i.e. adopt his worship Numbers 25:3,5 (JE), whence Psalm 106:28.

Pu`al Participle feminine צְצֻמֶּ֫דֶת 2 Samuel 20:8 a sword bound upon (עַל) his loins.

Hiph`il Imperfect3feminine singular תַּצְמִיד מִרְמָה Psalm 50:19 thy tongue combineth (fitteth together, frameth) deceit (> denominative from צֶמֶד Gerber¹⁷⁰).

Topical Lexicon

Semantic Range and Symbolism of Attachment

צָמַד consistently portrays an intentional fastening that forges an inescapable link between two parties or objects—whether physical, relational, or spiritual. The verb often carries a negative connotation when the attachment is misdirected, yet it also exposes the power of binding allegiances, for good or ill.

Occurrences and Contexts

Numbers 25:3, Numbers 25:5, Psalm 106:28 – Israel “joined” or “yoked” itself to Baal of Peor, provoking divine wrath.

2 Samuel 20:8 – Joab’s dagger is held close by a belt “fastened” around his waist.

Psalm 50:19 – The wicked “harness” their tongues to deceitful speech.

Idolatry and Apostasy in the Wilderness

“So Israel joined himself to Baal of Peor, and the anger of the LORD burned against them” (Numbers 25:3). The verb underscores a covenantal breach: the people deliberately bound themselves to a foreign god as tightly as two oxen in a yoke. Moses’ command in Numbers 25:5 reveals that such binding loyalty demanded decisive judgment because it attacked the exclusivity of the LORD’s covenant. Psalm 106:28 later recalls the same episode, proving that misplaced attachments can echo through generations.

Association and Betrayal in the Monarchy

In 2 Samuel 20:8 Joab’s belt is “fastened” (צָמַד) around his waist, securing the dagger he will use to murder Amasa. The image is one of stealthy preparation: what is tightly bound to Joab becomes the instrument of treachery. The text illustrates how a concealed, attached weapon parallels a concealed, attached motive. The binding is neutral in itself; its moral weight depends on the intent of the bearer.

Speech and Sin in Wisdom Literature

“You harness your tongue for deceit” (Psalm 50:19). Here the tongue is figuratively strapped to lies just as an animal is strapped to a plow. The psalmist exposes the willful submission of speech to evil, showing that attachment can enslave the faculties God intended for truth.

Covenantal Lessons and Theological Themes

1. Exclusive Allegiance: Tsamad warns that the covenant people cannot bind themselves simultaneously to the LORD and to idols.
2. Hidden Dangers: Like Joab’s dagger, attachments kept close to the heart—whether ambitions or grudges—can erupt in destructive action.
3. Discipleship of the Tongue: Words can be yoked either to deceit or to righteousness; the choice determines community health and divine approval.

Applications for Ministry

• Guard Corporate Worship: Teach congregations to detect and sever any “yokes” with contemporary idols—materialism, nationalism, or sensuality—that rival loyalty to Christ.
• Examine Personal Alliances: Leaders should assess unseen bonds (habits, relationships, digital influences) that may betray the mission of the gospel.
• Disciple Speech: Encourage believers to “harness” their tongues to truth, confession, and encouragement, reflecting the character of the One to whom they are ultimately joined.

Forms and Transliterations

הַנִּצְמָדִ֖ים הנצמדים וַ֭יִּצָּ֣מְדוּ וַיִּצָּ֥מֶד ויצמד ויצמדו מְצֻמֶּ֤דֶת מצמדת תַּצְמִ֥יד תצמיד han·niṣ·mā·ḏîm hanniṣmāḏîm hannitzmaDim mə·ṣum·me·ḏeṯ məṣummeḏeṯ metzumMedet taṣ·mîḏ taṣmîḏ tatzMid vaiyitzTzamed vaiyitzTzamedu way·yiṣ·ṣā·mə·ḏū way·yiṣ·ṣā·meḏ wayyiṣṣāmeḏ wayyiṣṣāməḏū

Englishman's Concordance

Numbers 25:3
HEB: וַיִּצָּ֥מֶד יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לְבַ֣עַל
NAS: So Israel joined themselves to Baal of Peor,
KJV: And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor:
INT: joined Israel to Baal

Numbers 25:5
HEB: אִ֣ישׁ אֲנָשָׁ֔יו הַנִּצְמָדִ֖ים לְבַ֥עַל פְּעֽוֹר׃
NAS: his men who have joined themselves to Baal of Peor.
KJV: his men that were joined unto Baalpeor.
INT: his men who have joined to Baal

2 Samuel 20:8
HEB: חֲג֥וֹר חֶ֙רֶב֙ מְצֻמֶּ֤דֶת עַל־ מָתְנָיו֙
NAS: in its sheath fastened at his waist;
KJV: [with] a sword fastened upon his loins
INT: A belt A sword fastened and over his waist

Psalm 50:19
HEB: בְרָעָ֑ה וּ֝לְשׁוֹנְךָ֗ תַּצְמִ֥יד מִרְמָֽה׃
NAS: in evil And your tongue frames deceit.
KJV: and thy tongue frameth deceit.
INT: to evil and your tongue frames deceit

Psalm 106:28
HEB: וַ֭יִּצָּ֣מְדוּ לְבַ֣עַל פְּע֑וֹר
NAS: They joined themselves also to Baal-peor,
KJV: They joined themselves also unto Baalpeor,
INT: joined to Baal-peor and ate

5 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 6775
5 Occurrences

han·niṣ·mā·ḏîm — 1 Occ.
mə·ṣum·me·ḏeṯ — 1 Occ.
taṣ·mîḏ — 1 Occ.
way·yiṣ·ṣā·meḏ — 1 Occ.
way·yiṣ·ṣā·mə·ḏū — 1 Occ.