Lexical Summary
tsemach: Branch, Sprout, Shoot
Original Word:צֶמַח
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:tsemach
Pronunciation:tseh'-makh
Phonetic Spelling:(tseh'-makh)
KJV: branch, bud, that which (where) grew (upon), spring(-ing)
NASB:Branch, growth, heads, plants, sprouting, sprouts, what grew
Word Origin:[fromH6779 (צָּמַח - grow)]
1. (usually concrete) a sprout
{literal or figurative}
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
branch, bud, that which where grew upon, springing
Fromtsamach; a sprout (usually concrete), literal or figurative -- branch, bud, that which (where) grew (upon), spring(-ing).
see HEBREWtsamach
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
tsamachDefinitiona sprout, growth
NASB TranslationBranch (5), growth (1), heads (1), plants (1), sprouting (1), sprouts (1), what grew (1), where it grew (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
Jeremiah 23:5 ; — absolute
Hosea 8:7 +,
Zechariah 3:8; construct
Genesis 19:25+; suffix
Ezekiel 17:9 +; —
collectivesprouting, growth,Genesis 19:25 (J),Ezekiel 16:7 (simile), compareIsaiah 61:11;Psalm 65:11; soIsaiah 4:2, absoluteHosea 8:7;growth (= foliage) of vine,Ezekiel 17:9.
growth, of vine,Ezekiel 17:10 =the beds where it grew.
sprout from Davidic tree (comparePsalm 132:17)Jeremiah 23:5a righteous sprout, shoot, =Jeremiah 33:15; hence (as proper name)Zechariah 3:8, of ZerubbabelZechariah 6:12.
see . see . below,
(√ of following; compare Arabic
draw together, or
bandage (a wound),be compact; Late Hebrewpress;Jer Palpel, Ithpalpelveil (? denominative)).
Topical Lexicon
Range of Meaning and Imageryצֶמַח spans the literal sphere of vegetation and the prophetic sphere of covenant hope. In everyday speech it denotes any natural sprouting, bud, or fresh growth. In prophetic texts it becomes a title—“the Branch”—for the promised Davidic ruler through whom the LORD will renew His people and His land.
Occurrences in Narrative and Wisdom Literature
•Genesis 19:25 places צֶמַח among the objects destroyed with Sodom, underscoring total judgment: “He overthrew…all that grew on the ground.”
•Psalm 65:10 celebrates agricultural blessing: “You soften it with showers and bless its growth.” The term highlights the LORD’s sustaining providence over creation.
Prophetic Usage: Judgment and Restoration
Several prophets use צֶמַח to portray both devastation and revival:
•Ezekiel 16:7 pictures abandoned Jerusalem maturing “like a plant of the field,” a growth later imperiled by sin.
•Ezekiel 17:9–10 portrays withering sprouts to warn Zedekiah of impending exile.
•Hosea 8:7 laments covenant infidelity: “The stalk has no bud; it will yield no grain,” pointing to fruitlessness outside of obedience.
•Isaiah 61:11 employs agricultural metaphor to proclaim eschatological flourishing: “So the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.”
The Messianic Title “The Branch”
Four key passages use צֶמַח as a proper title for the coming King:
•Isaiah 4:2 – “On that day the Branch of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious.” The image links moral beauty with restored land.
•Jeremiah 23:5; 33:15 – “I will raise up to David a righteous Branch…He will administer justice and righteousness in the land.” The title unites royal lineage, righteousness, and effective rule.
•Zechariah 3:8 – “I am going to bring My servant, the Branch.” Here צֶמַח is God’s servant who removes iniquity (3:9).
•Zechariah 6:12 – “Here is a man whose name is the Branch, and He will branch out from His place and build the temple of the LORD.” The Branch both extends His rule (“branch out”) and mediates worship (“build the temple”).
These texts locate the Branch before, during, and after the exile, showing a continuous divine promise. The Davidic monarchy appears cut down, yet a fresh shoot will rise from the stump, embodying covenant faithfulness and ushering in a renewed creation.
Theological Themes
1. Providence: Natural צֶמַח growth testifies to the Creator’s daily care (Psalm 65:10).
2. Total Judgment: The eradication of all צֶמַח inGenesis 19:25 warns that sin invites comprehensive ruin.
3. Covenant Reciprocity: Fertility or barrenness of צֶמַח mirrors Israel’s obedience or rebellion (Hosea 8:7;Ezekiel 17:9–10).
4. Messianic Hope: The Branch integrates kingship, priesthood, and temple restoration, foreshadowing the Messiah’s dual role as King-Priest (Zechariah 6:13).
5. Eschatological Renewal:Isaiah 61:11 affirms that global righteousness will sprout just as surely as seeds in tilled soil.
Relevance for Preaching and Ministry
• Assurance of Christ’s Reign: The Branch prophecies ground confidence in Jesus Christ as the righteous, wise King who fulfills Davidic promises (Luke 1:32–33).
• Call to Fruitfulness: The contrast between flourishing sprouts and withered buds urges believers toward abiding obedience that yields spiritual harvest (John 15:5 echoes the motif).
• Hope amid Ruin: Like post-exilic Judah, contemporary congregations can cling to the certainty that God brings new life out of apparent dead ends.
• Holistic Restoration: The Branch’s temple-building work invites believers to participate in a redeemed community that integrates worship, justice, and mission.
Summary
צֶמַח moves from field to throne, from literal sprouts to the regal, priestly Branch. Every occurrence, whether describing vegetation, judgment, or the Messiah, converges on one truth: the LORD sovereignly brings life out of barrenness, culminating in the righteous Branch who secures both fertile land and redeemed hearts.
Forms and Transliterations
וְצֶ֖מַח וצמח כְּצֶ֤מַח כצמח צִמְחָ֔הּ צִמְחָ֖הּ צִמְחָ֥הּ צִמְחָהּ֙ צֶ֚מַח צֶ֣מַח צֶ֤מַח צֶֽמַח׃ צמח צמח׃ צמחה kə·ṣe·maḥ kəṣemaḥ keTzemach ṣe·maḥ ṣemaḥ ṣim·ḥāh ṣimḥāh Tzemach tzimChah veTzemach wə·ṣe·maḥ wəṣemaḥ
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