# tsemach (צֶמַח)

pronounced: TSEH-makh


**“Branch, shoot” — the prophets’ name for the coming King from David’s line; the Greek word also means dawn**

Tsemach means “branch” or “shoot” in Hebrew. In the Greek translation of Zechariah 6:12, the word for the Branch can also mean “dawn.” Luke uses the same Greek word in Luke 1:78, where some English Bibles say “dayspring.”

## In Scripture

> and speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says Yahweh of Armies, “Behold, the man whose name is the Branch: and he shall grow up out of his place; and he shall build Yahweh’s temple;
> — Zechariah 6:12 (The man whose name is the Branch will build the temple; the Greek translation renders the name with its word for the dawn.)

> because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the dawn from on high will visit us,
> — Luke 1:78 (Luke’s word for the dawn is the one the Greek Old Testament used for the Branch.)


## How to read this entry

The definition comes from the IsraelForYou lexicon. Scripture quotations and their translation are named below; later tradition or modern usage is identified when it appears.


https://israelforyou.com/hebrew/tsemach/