Date
Meaning & History
Zoram has five plausible etymologies, though only the first etymology given below is attested in an ancient Semitic source (see below). The first three of the five are only slightly different from each other: "The Rock is the (divine) kinsman," "Rock of the people," and "Their Rock." These three plausible etymologies will be discussed in that order, with the first discussion supplying most of the basic information.
In the first of the five etymologies, the only etymology with an attested ancient Semitic instance, the first part of Zoram is the Hebrew word ṣûr, meaning "rock, cliff face," but is used metaphorically for the God of Israel, as in 2 Samuel 22:47, "The Lord liveth; and blessed be my rock ṣûr; and exalted be the God of the rock ṣû] of my salvation." The vocable ṣûr also appears in several biblical personal names, such as Zur ṣûr "Rock" (Numbers 25:15), Zuriel, ṣûrî-ʾēl "El (God) is my rock" (Numbers 3:35).
The second part of Zoram could come from the common Semitic vocable ʿām, meaning "father's brother," "(divine) kinsman," and "people." The vocable ʿām is qutie common in ancient Semitic name giving. As an element in Hebrew names, there is no question that it is a theophoric element, appearing in names such as Jekameam, yĕqam-ʿām (1 Chronicles 23:19). In addition to appearing as the final element, it also can be found at the beginning of names, e.g., Amminadab, ʿammî-nādāb (Numbers 1:7), "my father's brother is generous."
In the first of the five etymologies, the only etymology with an attested ancient Semitic instance, the first part of Zoram is the Hebrew word ṣûr, meaning "rock, cliff face," but is used metaphorically for the God of Israel, as in 2 Samuel 22:47, "The Lord liveth; and blessed be my rock ṣûr; and exalted be the God of the rock ṣû] of my salvation." The vocable ṣûr also appears in several biblical personal names, such as Zur ṣûr "Rock" (Numbers 25:15), Zuriel, ṣûrî-ʾēl "El (God) is my rock" (Numbers 3:35).
The second part of Zoram could come from the common Semitic vocable ʿām, meaning "father's brother," "(divine) kinsman," and "people." The vocable ʿām is qutie common in ancient Semitic name giving. As an element in Hebrew names, there is no question that it is a theophoric element, appearing in names such as Jekameam, yĕqam-ʿām (1 Chronicles 23:19). In addition to appearing as the final element, it also can be found at the beginning of names, e.g., Amminadab, ʿammî-nādāb (Numbers 1:7), "my father's brother is generous."