Lexical Summary zamam: To plan, devise, consider, purpose Original Word: זָמַם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance consider, devise, imagine, plot, purpose, think evil A primitive root; to plan, usually in a bad sense -- consider, devise, imagine, plot, purpose, think (evil). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to consider, purpose, devise NASB Translation considers (1), intended (1), plots (1), plotted (1), purpose (1), purposed (7), schemed (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs זָמַם verb consider, purpose, devise (Aramaic זְמַם in derived conjugations; compare Arabic  speak, talk (rare); Aramaic  is sonuit, resonavit, the noun  is tinnitus, strepitus) — only Qal Perfect זָמַם Deuteronomy 19:19 2t.; זָמָ֑ם Lamentations 2:17; זָָֽמְמָה Proverbs 31:16; זַמּ֫וֺתָ Proverbs 30:32; זַמֹּ֫תִי Jeremiah 4:28 but also זָמַ֫מְתִּי Zechariah 8:14,15; זַמֹּתִי Psalm 17:3 either belongs here with irregular accent (see De), or is Infinitive after analogue of לה֞ e.g. חַנּוֺת compare Psalm 77:10 (Hi Ri); Checritical note reads זִמָּתִי; זָמָ֑מוּ Psalm 31:14; Imperfect יָָֽזְמוּ Genesis 11:6 (Ges§ 67, R. 11); on possible Infinitive זמֹּתִ֫י Psalm 17:3 see above; Participle זֹמֵם Psalm 37:12; — 1 consider, fix thought upon, with accusative of concrete object שָׂדֶה Proverbs 31:16. 2 purpose, devise: a. especially of Yahweh's purpose in punishment Jeremiah 4:28 (absolute), Jeremiah 51:12 followed by עשׂה + accusative ("" מְזִמָּה), Lamentations 2:17 (followed by אשׁר) Zechariah 1:6 (with כאשׁר followed by infinitive), Zechariah 8:14 (id.); of blessing only כֵּן שַׁבְתִּי זָמַמְתִּי לְהֵיטִיב Zechariah 8:15 (opposed to Zechariah 8:14). b. of evil purpose of wicked men לעשׂות ׳אשׁר יז Genesis 11:6; Deuteronomy 19:19 (with כאשׁר + infinitive), Psalm 31:14 (followed by infinitive); absolute Proverbs 30:32 ("" נבל), Psalm 17:3 have I (i.e. if I have) devised evil (so De); followed by לְ person (= against) Psalm 37:12. **the text of Proverbs 30:32 is questioned by Frankenb Toy and others; see on II. נבל, below. Topical Lexicon Range of Meaning and Usage The verb זָמַם expresses deliberate mental resolve. In Scripture it can describe (1) human scheming—usually hostile, (2) prudent human planning, and (3) the fixed purpose of the Lord. The context alone clarifies whether the intention is righteous or wicked. Human Scheming and Sinful Intent Genesis 11:6 presents the builders of Babel as a collective humanity united in defiance: “nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.” The verb exposes the rebellion of the heart, not merely an architectural ambition. Deuteronomy 19:19 makes such scheming a covenantal crime; the false witness must receive “what he intended to do to his brother,” demonstrating that malicious planning is as culpable as the act itself. David repeatedly laments hostile plots: These verses assure the faithful that God sees the invisible counsel rooms of the wicked and will answer. Proverbs 30:32 calls for immediate self-silencing when evil has been “planned,” underscoring the urgency of repentance before the thought matures into deed. Human Deliberation for Good Not all human זָמַם is corrupt. The Psalmist testifies, “I have resolved that my mouth will not sin” (Psalm 17:3), making holy resolve a weapon against temptation. The wife of noble character “considers a field and buys it” (Proverbs 31:16). Her calculated stewardship blesses her household, showing that thoughtful enterprise, submitted to wisdom, honors God. Divine Purpose and Sovereign Decrees The majority of prophetic uses apply the verb to the LORD Himself, revealing His sovereign, unstoppable counsel. Zechariah contrasts two divine determinations: judgment for covenant infidelity (1:6; 8:14) and restorative blessing (8:15). God’s resolve does not waver, yet His purposes include both mercy and discipline, perfectly harmonized within His unchanging character. Theological Themes 1. Moral Accountability: Evil intent itself brings liability (Deuteronomy 19:19; Proverbs 30:32). Ministry Implications • Preaching: Expose hidden sins of the mind; call congregations to align desires with the Lord’s revealed will. Christological and Eschatological Perspective Acts 2:23 echoes the vocabulary conceptually: Jesus was delivered up “by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge.” The cross was humanity’s ultimate wicked scheme, yet simultaneously the Father’s predetermined plan. In Revelation, the final victory likewise unfolds “in accordance with the purpose of Him who works all things after the counsel of His will” (Ephesians 1:11). Thus every occurrence of זָמַם points toward the greater narrative in which God’s redemptive plan prevails over human plotting, assuring believers that history moves infallibly toward the consummation in Christ. Forms and Transliterations זַ֝מֹּתִ֗י זַ֝מּ֗וֹתָ זַמֹּ֔תִי זָמְמָ֣ה זָמַ֖ם זָמַ֙מְתִּי֙ זָמַ֜ם זָמַ֣ם זָמַמְ֜תִּי זָמָ֗ם זָמָֽמוּ׃ זֹמֵ֣ם זמות זמם זממה זממו׃ זממתי זמתי יָזְמ֖וּ יזמו yā·zə·mū yazeMu yāzəmū zā·mā·mū zā·mam zā·mām zā·mam·tî zā·mə·māh zam·mō·ṯî zam·mō·w·ṯā zaMam zāmam zāmām zamaMti zāmamtî zaMamu zāmāmū zameMah zāməmāh zamMota zammoTi zammōṯî zammōwṯā zō·mêm zoMem zōmêmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 11:6 HEB: כֹּ֛ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר יָזְמ֖וּ לַֽעֲשֽׂוֹת׃ NAS: which they purpose to do KJV: will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. INT: all which purpose to do Deuteronomy 19:19 Psalm 17:3 Psalm 31:13 Psalm 37:12 Proverbs 30:32 Proverbs 31:16 Jeremiah 4:28 Jeremiah 51:12 Lamentations 2:17 Zechariah 1:6 Zechariah 8:14 Zechariah 8:15 13 Occurrences |
    |