זָמַם
za.mam (H2161)
to plan
AI Word Study
# זָמַם (zamam): Planning and Intention in Biblical Hebrew The Hebrew verb zamam denotes the mental activity of planning or devising, appearing thirteen times throughout the biblical text. This term captures the moment when someone conceives a course of action in their mind—the formulation of intent before execution. The word operates at the cognitive level, describing the internal deliberation that precedes decision-making and action. The relatively modest frequency of zamam's occurrence in the Bible suggests it served a specific communicative purpose: to highlight moments when intentionality and forethought were narratively significant. By using this verb, biblical writers could distinguish between spontaneous acts and those that involved calculation or deliberate scheming. This makes zamam particularly valuable in contexts where the moral or dramatic weight of a character's premeditation matters to the story being told. Though the lexicon data provided does not detail the specific biblical contexts, the thirteen occurrences likely distribute across narratives where planning—whether righteous or malicious—forms a crucial element of the plot. Understanding zamam enriches recognition of how biblical Hebrew vocabulary allows writers to portray human psychology and decision-making processes with nuance and precision.
AI synthesis uses only provided lexicon data -- never training knowledge.
Yahweh said, “Behold, they are one people, and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do. Now nothing will be withheld from them, which they intend to do.
then you shall do to him as he had thought to do to his brother. So you shall remove the evil from among you.
You have proved my heart. You have visited me in the night. You have tried me, and found nothing. I have resolved that my mouth shall not disobey.
For I have heard the slander of many, terror on every side, while they conspire together against me, they plot to take away my life.
“If you have done foolishly in lifting up yourself, or if you have thought evil, put your hand over your mouth.
She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.
For this the earth will mourn, and the heavens above be black, because I have spoken it. I have planned it, and I have not repented, neither will I turn back from it.”
Set up a standard against the walls of Babylon! Make the watch strong! Set the watchmen, and prepare the ambushes; for Yahweh has both purposed and done that which he spoke concerning the inhabitants of Babylon.
Yahweh has done that which he planned. He has fulfilled his word that he commanded in the days of old. He has thrown down, and has not pitied. He has caused the enemy to rejoice over you. He has exalted the horn of your adversaries.
But my words and my decrees, which I commanded my servants the prophets, didn’t they overtake your fathers? “Then they repented and said, ‘Just as Yahweh of Armies determined to do to us, according to our ways, and according to our practices, so he has dealt with us.’ ”
For Yahweh of Armies says: “As I thought to do evil to you, when your fathers provoked me to wrath,” says Yahweh of Armies, “and I didn’t repent;
so again I have thought in these days to do good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. Don’t be afraid.