tsa.ma denotes bodily need for water and the distress or deprivation associated with it.

The attested use concerns bodily need for water, whether people or animals suffer from its absence, a land is described as dry, or water is supplied to meet that need. The noun occurs in descriptions of danger and affliction as well as in accounts of water given or available for relief.

1. Need for water and its deprivation · dominant

   The singular noun marks bodily want of water in settings of danger or lack: in Exodus 17:3 the people complain that they may die when water is absent, and in Judges 15:18 the speaker fears death after becoming very thirsty. In Nehemiah 9:15 and Psalm 104:11, construct forms occur where water is given from the rock or animals quench the need; Isaiah 41:17 presents needy people seeking water while their tongue is dry.

   Exodus 17:3Judges 15:18Isaiah 41:17Nehemiah 9:15Nehemiah 9:20Psalm 104:11

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB commonly presents the surrounding clauses with "thirst," as in Exodus 17:3 and Nehemiah 9:15, and also uses "thirsty" or "dry with thirst" in descriptions of persons or land. These renderings identify the verse-level presentation rather than a fixed English equivalent in every occurrence.