Lexical Summary Tsemarayim: Tsemarayim Original Word: צְמָרַיִם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Zemaraim Dual of tsemer; double fleece; Tsemarajim, a place in Palestine -- Zemaraim. see HEBREW tsemer NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as tsemer Definition a place in Benjamin, also a mountain in Ephraim NASB Translation Zemaraim (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs צְמָרַיִם proper name, of a location 1. in Benjamin Joshua 18:22, Σαρα, A Σεμριμ, ᵐ5L Σαμαρειμ, perhaps Es-samra, north of Jericho BuhlGeogr. 180. 2 ׳הַרצֿ mountain in Ephraim 2 Chronicles 13:4, Σομορων, unknown. Topical Lexicon Biblical References Joshua 18:22; 2 Chronicles 13:4 Geographical Setting Zemaraim appears first as one of the towns allotted to Benjamin. The Benjamin-Ephraim border ran through rugged limestone hills overlooking the Jordan Valley, with Bethel to the north and Jericho to the east. The same name surfaces later as “Mount Zemaraim” in the hill country of Ephraim, indicating either an elevated outcrop linked to the Benjaminite town or a nearby ridge marking the tribal boundary line. In either case, the location commands broad views toward both the northern and southern kingdoms, making it a fitting stage for Abijah’s declaration. Place within the Tribal Allotment (Joshua 18:22) When Joshua apportioned Canaan, Benjamin received a strategic yet vulnerable corridor between the dominant houses of Ephraim and Judah. Zemaraim’s inclusion in the list emphasizes the completeness of the inheritance and God’s faithfulness to each tribe. Though the verse offers no narrative, it anchors the town’s identity among covenant people whose boundaries were set “by lot before the LORD at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting” (Joshua 19:51). Platform for a Covenant Appeal (2 Chronicles 13:4) “Then Abijah stood on Mount Zemaraim in the hill country of Ephraim and said, ‘Hear me, O Jeroboam and all Israel!’” From this elevation the king of Judah confronted the northern kingdom’s army of eight hundred thousand. His speech centers on four truths: 1. The LORD’s covenant with David (2 Chronicles 13:5). Abijah’s stance on Zemaraim visually and verbally asserts that true authority rests not in numbers or politics but in covenant fidelity. Historical Outcomes The confrontation ended with the northern forces routed, five hundred thousand casualties recorded, and Jeroboam “never again regain[ing] power during Abijah’s lifetime” (2 Chronicles 13:20). Zemaraim thus marks a decisive moment when the Davidic line, though weakened, was publicly vindicated. Theological Themes and Ministry Application • Boundary and Identity: Zemaraim’s position on a tribal border reminds believers that God-given identity must be guarded even when surrounded by stronger influences. Archaeological and Historical Insights No definitive excavation has located Zemaraim, but proposals cluster near modern Ras ez-Zamrah or Khirbet es-Sumeiriya, both overlooking the Wadi Suweinit. The absence of monumental remains fits its profile as a modest Benjaminite town, yet its prominence in the Chronicler’s narrative underscores how God often chooses ordinary settings for extraordinary purposes. See Also Bethel (Genesis 28:19), Mount Gerizim (Deuteronomy 27:12), Covenant with David (2 Samuel 7:12-16), Idolatry of Jeroboam (1 Kings 12:25-33). Forms and Transliterations וּצְמָרַ֖יִם וצמרים צְמָרַ֔יִם צמרים ṣə·mā·ra·yim ṣəmārayim tzemaRayim ū·ṣə·mā·ra·yim ūṣəmārayim utzemaRayimLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 18:22 HEB: וּבֵ֧ית הָֽעֲרָבָ֛ה וּצְמָרַ֖יִם וּבֵֽית־ אֵֽל׃ NAS: and Beth-arabah and Zemaraim and Bethel, KJV: And Betharabah, and Zemaraim, and Bethel, INT: and Beth-arabah and Zemaraim and Bethel 2 Chronicles 13:4 2 Occurrences |
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