Lexical Summary
chamushim: Armed, equipped
Original Word:חָמֻשׁ
Part of Speech:Adjective
Transliteration:chamush
Pronunciation:khah-moo-sheem
Phonetic Spelling:(khaw-moosh')
KJV: armed (men), harnessed
NASB:battle array, army, martial array
Word Origin:[passive participle of the same asH2570 (חוֹמֶשׁ - belly)]
1. staunch, i.e. able-bodied soldiers
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
armed men, harnessed
Passive participle of the same aschomesh; staunch, i.e. Able-bodied soldiers -- armed (men), harnessed.
see HEBREWchomesh
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom an unused word
Definitionin battle array
NASB Translationarmy (1), battle array (2), martial array (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
, always this form,
Exodus 13:18 (E),
Joshua 1:14;
Joshua 4:12 (both D),
Judges 7:11 +
Numbers 32:17 (JE), see .
(√ of following; meaning unknown; Mv and others, very improbably, from Arabic
grow rancid, putrid; see on formation, LagBN 154).
Topical Lexicon
Meaning and Scopeחָמֻשׁ (chamush) denotes persons who are equipped or arrayed for battle. The four Old Testament occurrences cluster around pivotal moments when the Lord musters, directs, or reassures His covenant people at a decisive juncture. The term therefore gathers the ideas of preparedness, order, and divine authorization for conflict.
Exodus 13:18 — The Exodus as a Martial Procession
“So God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea, and the Israelites left the land of Egypt in battle formation” (Exodus 13:18). At the very birth-moment of the nation, Israel is not portrayed as a disorderly mob fleeing oppression but as a disciplined host leaving Egypt under God’s command. Chamush underscores that redemption carries with it the call to readiness. Even before Sinai, the people are organized for holy warfare against the coming challenges in Canaan (compareExodus 15:3).
Joshua 1:14; 4:12 — Transjordan Tribes in the Vanguard
Moses had granted land east of the Jordan to Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, but with the stipulation that their “fighting men” would cross first to aid their brothers (Numbers 32:20-22). Joshua’s commission enforces that earlier vow:
“Your wives, your young children, and your livestock may remain in the land Moses gave you east of the Jordan, but all you who are valiant warriors are to cross over in battle formation before your brothers and help them” (Joshua 1:14).
“And about forty thousand equipped for battle crossed over before the LORD to the plains of Jericho for war” (Joshua 4:12-13).
Chamush here stresses covenant solidarity. Possessing rest in one’s own inheritance never excuses withdrawal from the corporate struggle of God’s people. The Transjordan tribes model sacrificial service: secure at home, yet still first in line to fight.
Judges 7:11 — Gideon’s Covert Confirmation
At the cusp of the clash with Midian, the Lord sends Gideon to overhear enemy soldiers “armed in the camp.” Hearing a dream and its interpretation, Gideon worships (Judges 7:11). The presence of chamush among the Midianites magnifies God’s power: even a well-arrayed foe is no match for divinely chosen instruments. Chamush therefore frames both sides of the narrative—Israel’s call to be prepared and the reminder that human preparedness, detached from the Lord, cannot prevail (comparePsalm 33:16-17).
Historical and Ministry Significance
1. Nation-forming discipline: God never shepherds His people aimlessly. From the Exodus onward He molds them into a unified, mobile army capable of advancing His purposes.
2. Corporate responsibility: Chamush in Joshua underscores that personal or tribal security is subordinate to the collective mission. Ministry today likewise demands that believers who have found rest employ their gifts for the welfare of the whole body (Philippians 2:4).
3. Divine initiative over human strength: Gideon’s narrative reminds ministers that preparedness is necessary yet insufficient; victory belongs to the LORD (Proverbs 21:31).
4. Spiritual warfare imagery: New Testament exhortations to “put on the full armor of God” (Ephesians 6:11) echo the principle embodied in chamush—active, disciplined readiness rooted in faith.
Applications for Contemporary Discipleship
• Intentional Equipping: Churches should cultivate doctrinal clarity and practical training, reflecting Israel’s ordered departure from Egypt.
• Mutual Support: Believers who have entered “rest” in Christ (Hebrews 4:3) remain obligated to advance the gospel alongside less-settled brethren.
• Confidence in God’s Sovereignty: Facing cultural or personal opposition, Christians remember that even well-armed adversaries fall when God intervenes.
Chamush thus weaves through salvation history as a quiet yet potent reminder that God’s redeemed people are both saved and sent—armed, not in their own strength, but in obedience to the Commander of the hosts of Heaven.
Forms and Transliterations
הַחֲמֻשִׁ֖ים החמשים וַחֲמֻשִׁ֛ים וחמשים חֲמֻשִׁ֔ים חֲמֻשִׁ֜ים חמשים chamuShim ha·ḥă·mu·šîm ḥă·mu·šîm hachamuShim haḥămušîm ḥămušîm vachamuShim wa·ḥă·mu·šîm waḥămušîm
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