זָמַר
za.mar
to sing
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
Supported# Biblical Hebrew Word: Zamár (זָמַר) The Hebrew verb *zamár* denotes the act of singing and appears 45 times throughout the biblical text. Its basic semantic function is straightforward: to produce song. This verb represents one of the primary vocabulary choices in Hebrew when expressing musical vocalization, establishing it as a fundamental term in biblical discourse about worship, celebration, and artistic expression. The frequency of occurrence (45 instances) indicates that singing held considerable importance in ancient Israelite life and religious practice. The word's consistent use across the biblical corpus suggests it was a standard, recognizable activity worthy of repeated mention and emphasis. Rather than being an obscure or specialized term, *zamár* appears to have been a common way to describe a regular human activity, likely encompassing both formal religious contexts and informal social occasions where song would naturally occur. Without additional contextual data from specific passages, the lexical entry establishes only that *zamár* refers to singing as a discrete, identifiable action. Its presence in the biblical vocabulary underscores that vocal music was integral to Israelite culture and religious life, though the precise nuances of when, where, and in what manner this singing occurred would require examination of individual biblical passages employing the term.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
45 total occurrences across the text
I will give thanks to Yahweh according to his righteousness, and will sing praise to the name of Yahweh Most High.
Psalms 9:2I will be glad and rejoice in you. I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
Psalms 9:11Sing praises to Yahweh, who dwells in Zion, and declare among the people what he has done.
Psalms 18:49Therefore I will give thanks to you, Yahweh, among the nations, and will sing praises to your name.
Psalms 21:13Be exalted, Yahweh, in your strength, so we will sing and praise your power.
Psalms 27:6Now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me. I will offer sacrifices of joy in his tent. I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to Yahweh.
Psalms 30:4Sing praise to Yahweh, you saints of his. Give thanks to his holy name.
Psalms 30:12to the end that my heart may sing praise to you, and not be silent. Yahweh my God, I will give thanks to you forever!
Psalms 33:2Give thanks to Yahweh with the lyre. Sing praises to him with the harp of ten strings.
Psalms 47:6Sing praises to God! Sing praises! Sing praises to our King! Sing praises!
Psalms 47:6Sing praises to God! Sing praises! Sing praises to our King! Sing praises!
Psalms 47:6Sing praises to God! Sing praises! Sing praises to our King! Sing praises!
Psalms 47:6Sing praises to God! Sing praises! Sing praises to our King! Sing praises!
Psalms 47:7For God is the King of all the earth. Sing praises with understanding.
Psalms 57:7My heart is steadfast, God. My heart is steadfast. I will sing, yes, I will sing praises.
Psalms 57:9I will give thanks to you, Lord, among the peoples. I will sing praises to you among the nations.
Psalms 59:17To you, my strength, I will sing praises. For God is my high tower, the God of my mercy.
Psalms 61:8So I will sing praise to your name forever, that I may fulfill my vows daily.
Psalms 66:2Sing to the glory of his name! Offer glory and praise!
Psalms 66:4All the earth will worship you, and will sing to you; they will sing to your name.”
Psalms 66:4All the earth will worship you, and will sing to you; they will sing to your name.”
Psalms 68:4Sing to God! Sing praises to his name! Extol him who rides on the clouds: to Yah, his name! Rejoice before him!
Psalms 68:32Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth! Sing praises to the Lord!
Psalms 71:22I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, my God. I sing praises to you with the lyre, Holy One of Israel.
Psalms 71:23My lips shall shout for joy! My soul, which you have redeemed, sings praises to you!
Psalms 75:9But I will declare this forever: I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
Psalms 92:1It is a good thing to give thanks to Yahweh, to sing praises to your name, Most High,
Psalms 98:4Make a joyful noise to Yahweh, all the earth! Burst out and sing for joy, yes, sing praises!
Psalms 98:5Sing praises to Yahweh with the harp, with the harp and the voice of melody.
Psalms 101:1I will sing of loving kindness and justice. To you, Yahweh, I will sing praises.
Psalms 104:33I will sing to Yahweh as long as I live. I will sing praise to my God while I have any being.
Psalms 105:2Sing to him, sing praises to him! Tell of all his marvelous works.
Psalms 108:1My heart is steadfast, God. I will sing and I will make music with my soul.
Psalms 108:3I will give thanks to you, Yahweh, among the nations. I will sing praises to you among the peoples.
Psalms 135:3Praise Yah, for Yahweh is good. Sing praises to his name, for that is pleasant.
Psalms 138:1I will give you thanks with my whole heart. Before the gods, I will sing praises to you.
Psalms 144:9I will sing a new song to you, God. On a ten-stringed lyre, I will sing praises to you.
Psalms 146:2While I live, I will praise Yahweh. I will sing praises to my God as long as I exist.
Psalms 147:1Praise Yah, for it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant and fitting to praise him.
Psalms 147:7Sing to Yahweh with thanksgiving. Sing praises on the harp to our God,
Psalms 149:3Let them praise his name in the dance! Let them sing praises to him with tambourine and harp!
Isaiah 12:5Sing to Yahweh, for he has done excellent things! Let this be known in all the earth!
Judges 5:3“Hear, you kings! Give ear, you princes! I, even I, will sing to Yahweh. I will sing praise to Yahweh, the God of Israel.
2 Samuel 22:50Therefore I will give thanks to you, Yahweh, among the nations, and will sing praises to your name.
1 Chronicles 16:9Sing to him. Sing praises to him. Tell of all his marvelous works.