Lexical Summary timarah: Column, Pillar, Palm tree Original Word: תִּימָרָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance pillar Or timarah {tee-maw-raw'}; from the same as tamar; a column, i.e. Cloud -- pillar. see HEBREW tamar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as tomer Definition (palm-like) column NASB Translation columns (2). Topical Lexicon Scriptural Occurrences Song of Solomon 3:6 and Joel 2:30 constitute the entire written record of תִּימָרָה. The first passage evokes a royal procession emerging “like a pillar of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense”, while the second foretells eschatological portents of “blood and fire and columns of smoke” (Joel 2:30). Together they frame the word within both nuptial celebration and apocalyptic judgment. Historical Setting Song of Solomon portrays a bridal scene in the united monarchy era or shortly thereafter; the fragrance-laden column likely recalls the rising incense of a festive entourage or sacrificial worship (cf. Exodus 30:34-38). Joel prophesies to post-exilic Judah, where pillars of smoke evoke battlefield devastation or volcanic upheaval. Each context would have been vivid to ancient hearers familiar with desert caravans and the smoke-plumes of warfare. Imagery and Symbolism 1. Cultic Memory: Israel’s wilderness wanderings were guided by the divine pillar of cloud and fire (Exodus 13:21-22). תִּימָרָה intentionally echoes that memory—whether celebrating covenant love or warning of covenant sanctions. Theological Themes • Covenant Fidelity: The fragrant column in Song of Solomon shows the faithfulness of the Groom-King toward His beloved, prefiguring Christ’s love for the Church. Ministry Implications 1. Preaching Christ in Song of Solomon: The perfumed pillar guides sermons toward the fragrant victory of the cross—His offering ascending to God (Ephesians 5:2). Related Biblical Motifs Exodus 19:18; Judges 20:40; Isaiah 4:5; Revelation 8:4 illustrate how smoke signifies divine manifestation. Each text enriches the understanding of תִּימָרָה, tying it to God’s guidance, holiness, and ultimate triumph. Summary תִּימָרָה, though sparse in occurrence, binds together celebration and catastrophe, intimacy and awe. It invites worshipers to behold the King emerging in fragrant victory and to heed the warning plumes that precede His day of judgment. In both cases, the upward surge of smoke calls hearts to lift their gaze from earth to heaven, anchoring hope in the faithfulness and sovereignty of the LORD. Forms and Transliterations וְתִֽימֲר֖וֹת ותימרות כְּתִֽימֲר֖וֹת כתימרות kə·ṯî·mă·rō·wṯ ketimaRot kəṯîmărōwṯ vetimaRot wə·ṯî·mă·rō·wṯ wəṯîmărōwṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Songs 3:6 HEB: מִן־ הַמִּדְבָּ֔ר כְּתִֽימֲר֖וֹת עָשָׁ֑ן מְקֻטֶּ֤רֶת NAS: up from the wilderness Like columns of smoke, KJV: out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, INT: from the wilderness columns of smoke Perfumed Joel 2:30 2 Occurrences |
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