Strong's Lexicon
chamets: To be leavened, to be sour
Original Word:חָמֵץ
Part of Speech:Verb
Transliteration:chamets
Pronunciation:khaw-mates'
Phonetic Spelling:(khaw-mates')
Definition:To be leavened, to be sour
Meaning:to be pungent, in taste, in color
Word Origin:A primitive root
Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries:The Greek equivalent often associated with the concept of leaven is ζύμη (Strong's Greek 2219 - zyme), which also refers to leaven or yeast and is used metaphorically in the New Testament to describe moral and doctrinal corruption (e.g., Matthew 16:6, 1 Corinthians 5:6).
Usage:The Hebrew verb "chamets" primarily means to be leavened or to become sour. In the context of the Hebrew Bible, it often refers to the process of fermentation, particularly in bread-making, where dough is allowed to rise due to the presence of yeast or other leavening agents. This term is used both literally, in reference to food, and metaphorically, to describe moral or spiritual corruption.
Cultural and Historical Background:In ancient Israelite culture, leaven (chamets) was a significant element in daily life, especially in bread-making. However, during certain religious observances, such as the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Chag HaMatzot), leaven was strictly prohibited. This feast commemorates the Israelites' exodus from Egypt, during which they left in haste and did not have time to let their bread rise. The absence of leaven during this period symbolizes purity and separation from sin, as leaven is often associated with corruption and impurity in biblical symbolism.
Brown-Driver-Briggs
I. (Late Hebrew
id., Pi`el Hiph`il
make sour, leaven; Arabic
be sour; Aramaic
be sour, leavened,
be leavened) —
PerfectExodus 12:39;ImperfectExodus 12:34;Infinitive suffixHosea 7:4 +; —be leavened, of dough (),Exodus 12:34,39 (E), compareHosea 7:4.
be soured, embittered,Psalm 73:21 ("" ).
II. [] (? compare Aramaic
Ethpa`alblush, be ashamed, possibly originallybe red); —
Passive participle constructred of garmentsIsaiah 63:1; possibly alsoImperfect3feminine singularPsalm 68:24that thy foot may be red with blood (for ; so Krochm Hi Gr; most, however, read see ).
III. [] (dubious √; perhaps by-form of ; perhaps erroneous for it; identification by most with I. ,be sour, hencesharp, violent, but connection improbable) — only
Participle activePsalm 71:4from the hand of the unjust and ruthless ("" ).
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
cruel man, dyed, be grieved, leavened
A primitive root; to be pungent; i.e. In taste (sour, i.e. Literally fermented, or figuratively, harsh), in color (dazzling) -- cruel (man), dyed, be grieved, leavened.
Forms and Transliterations
וְחוֹמֵץ׃ וחומץ חֲמ֤וּץ חָמֵ֑ץ חֻמְצָתֽוֹ׃ חמוץ חמץ חמצתו׃ יִתְחַמֵּ֣ץ יֶחְמָ֑ץ יחמץ יתחמץ chaMetz chaMutz chumtzaTo ḥā·mêṣ ḥă·mūṣ ḥāmêṣ ḥămūṣ ḥum·ṣā·ṯōw ḥumṣāṯōw vechometz wə·ḥō·w·mêṣ wəḥōwmêṣ yechMatz yeḥ·māṣ yeḥmāṣ yiṯ·ḥam·mêṣ yitchamMetz yiṯḥammêṣ
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