Shamir
/ʃəˈmɪər/noun
A legendary substance in Jewish tradition said to be able to cut stone or other hard materials.
Did you know?In rabbinic tradition, the Shamir was so potent that it was used for Temple construction without metal tools, making it a symbol of divine power over matter.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Hebrew
Hebrew
שָׁמִיר
“A hard stone, thorn, or a legendary cutting substance”
Rabbinic Period
Aramaic/Hebrew
שמירא
“A wondrous cutting agent in Jewish lore”
Medieval Jewish Literature
Hebrew
שָׁמִיר
“The miraculous substance used to cut stone for sacred purposes”
Modern English
English
shamir
“A legendary substance said to cut hard materials”