Lexical Summary
zamam: To plan, devise, consider, purpose
Original Word:זָמַם
Part of Speech:Verb
Transliteration:zamam
Pronunciation:zah-MAHM
Phonetic Spelling:(zaw-mam')
KJV: consider, devise, imagine, plot, purpose, think (evil)
NASB:purposed, considers, intended, plots, plotted, purpose, schemed
Word Origin:[a primitive root]
1. to plan, usually in a bad sense
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
Definitionto consider, purpose, devise
NASB Translationconsiders (1), intended (1), plots (1), plotted (1), purpose (1), purposed (7), schemed (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
(Aramaic in derived conjugations; compare Arabic
speak, talk (rare); Aramaic
is
sonuit, resonavit, the noun
is
tinnitus, strepitus) — only
PerfectDeuteronomy 19:19 2t.;Lamentations 2:17;Proverbs 31:16;Proverbs 30:32;Jeremiah 4:28 but alsoZechariah 8:14,15;Psalm 17:3 either belongs here with irregular accent (see De), or is Infinitive after analogue of e.g. comparePsalm 77:10 (Hi Ri); Checritical note reads ;Psalm 31:14;ImperfectGenesis 11:6 (Ges§ 67, R. 11); on possibleInfinitivePsalm 17:3 see above;ParticiplePsalm 37:12; —
consider, fix thought upon, with accusative of concrete objectProverbs 31:16.
purpose, devise:
especially of Yahweh's purpose in punishmentJeremiah 4:28 (absolute),Jeremiah 51:12 followed by + accusative ("" ),Lamentations 2:17 (followed by )Zechariah 1:6 (with followed by infinitive),Zechariah 8:14 (id.); of blessing onlyZechariah 8:15 (opposed toZechariah 8:14).
Genesis 11:6;Deuteronomy 19:19 (with + infinitive),Psalm 31:14 (followed by infinitive); absoluteProverbs 30:32 ("" ),Psalm 17:3have I (i.e. if I have)devised evil (so De); followed by person (=against)Psalm 37:12. the text ofProverbs 30:32 is questioned by Frankenb Toy and others; see on II. , below.
Topical Lexicon
Range of Meaning and UsageThe 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:
• “They conspire against me and plot to take my life” (Psalm 31:13).
• “The wicked scheme against the righteous” (Psalm 37:12).
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.
• “I have spoken, I have purposed, and I will not relent” (Jeremiah 4:28).
• “The LORD has both planned and accomplished what He spoke against the people of Babylon” (Jeremiah 51:12).
• “The LORD has done what He purposed; He has fulfilled His word” (Lamentations 2:17).
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).
2. The Limits of Human Autonomy: Babel’s planners appear unstoppable, yet the scattering that follows proves God alone governs history.
3. The Triumph of Divine Counsel: From Babylon’s fall to Jerusalem’s future peace, every prophetic “purpose” is realized in exact detail, vindicating Scripture’s trustworthiness.
Ministry Implications
• Preaching: Expose hidden sins of the mind; call congregations to align desires with the Lord’s revealed will.
• Counseling: Encourage believers that God sees hostile plots against them and will vindicate (Psalms 31, 37).
• Leadership: Model prudent, prayer-saturated planning as exemplified by theProverbs 31 woman, while rejecting manipulative scheming.
• Intercession: Plead for communities to experienceZechariah 8:15—“I have resolved again…to do good”—by repentance and faith.
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 zōmêm
Links
Interlinear Greek •
Interlinear Hebrew •
Strong's Numbers •
Englishman's Greek Concordance •
Englishman's Hebrew Concordance •
Parallel Texts
