### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew adjective `{{H2525}}` (חָם, *châm*) carries the primary meaning of "hot" or "warm." Its etymological root is the verb `{{H2552}}` (חָמַם, *châmam*), which means "to be hot," "to grow warm," or "to be inflamed." As an adjective, חָם describes a physical state of elevated temperature. Its semantic range is quite narrow, focusing exclusively on the literal sensation or condition of heat. There is no direct evidence in its adjectival usage to extend its meaning to abstract concepts like passion, anger, or intensity, although the root verb `{{H2552}}` can sometimes carry such connotations in other forms or contexts (e.g., "to be inflamed with anger"). For חָם, the focus remains on the tangible experience of warmth or heat.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The adjective `{{H2525}}` appears in the Hebrew Bible in a limited number of instances, consistently denoting a physical temperature:
* **[[Exodus 16:21]]**: "And when the sun waxed hot (וְחַם הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ), it melted." This verse describes the daily phenomenon of the manna, God's miraculous provision for Israel in the wilderness. The manna, which appeared on the ground each morning, would melt away once the sun became hot. This detail highlights a specific condition of God's provision, necessitating daily gathering and preventing hoarding, thereby cultivating dependence on God. The "hot" sun here is a natural agent acting according to God's established order.
* **[[Job 37:17]]**: "How thy garments are warm (חַמִּים) when he quieteth the earth by the south wind?" In Elihu's discourse on God's power and wisdom in creation, he uses this rhetorical question to illustrate the tangible effects of God's control over the weather. The south wind, often associated with warmth in the ancient Near East, causes garments to become warm, providing comfort or indicating a change in atmospheric conditions. This usage underscores God's intricate orchestration of natural phenomena.
In both occurrences, חָם serves a purely descriptive function, referring to the physical sensation or state of heat, whether from the sun or a warm wind, and is integrated into descriptions of God's providential care and sovereign control over creation.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word to `{{H2525}}` is its verbal root:
* `{{H2552}}` (חָמַם, *châmam*): "to be hot," "to grow warm," "to be inflamed." This verb is the foundation for חָם and appears more frequently, sometimes with figurative meanings related to anger or passion (e.g., [[Psalm 39:3]]).
Other semantically related terms include:
* `{{H2527}}` (חֹם, *chôm*): A masculine noun meaning "heat" or "warmth," often used abstractly or collectively (e.g., [[Haggai 1:6]] "none warm," referring to lack of warmth from clothing).
* `{{H2530}}` (חָמָן, *chaman*): A related term, possibly denoting a "sun-pillar" or "sun-image," pointing to the sun as a source of heat and light.
In contrast, concepts of "cold" or "chill" would be antonymous, such as `{{H7120}}` (קָר, *qar*) or `{{H7119}}` (קֹר, *qor*). The word חָם thus exists within a lexical field describing temperature and its effects on the natural world and human experience.
### Theological Significance
While `{{H2525}}` itself is a simple descriptive adjective, its limited occurrences in Scripture are not devoid of theological resonance. Rather, they subtly highlight aspects of God's character and interaction with His creation:
* **Divine Providence and Order:** In [[Exodus 16:21]], the hot sun is not a random occurrence but part of the divinely ordained natural order that governed the manna. This detail underscores God's meticulous care in providing for His people while simultaneously teaching them daily dependence and obedience. The "hot" sun, by melting the manna, prevents hoarding and reinforces the lesson that God's provision is fresh and sufficient for each day, not for accumulation.
* **God's Sovereignty over Nature:** [[Job 37:17]] places the "warm" garments within Elihu's grand exposition of God's omnipotent control over the elements. The warmth provided by the south wind is not merely a meteorological event but an example of how God orchestrates the intricate workings of the natural world. It serves as a testament to God's wisdom and power, which are beyond human comprehension, inviting awe and reverence.
* **The Physical World as a Testimony:** The use of חָם in these contexts reminds us that even the most basic physical properties of creation (like temperature) are part of God's design. They serve His purposes, whether in sustaining life, teaching spiritual lessons, or demonstrating His majesty.
Thus, חָם contributes to a broader biblical theology that sees God as the ultimate source and controller of all natural phenomena, using them to reveal His character and guide humanity.
### Summary
The Hebrew adjective `{{H2525}}` (חָם, *châm*) means "hot" or "warm," deriving from the verb `{{H2552}}` (חָמַם, *châmam*). Its biblical occurrences are few, found primarily in [[Exodus 16:21]] and [[Job 37:17]]. In both instances, חָם describes a literal physical temperature: the hot sun melting manna and garments becoming warm from the south wind. While a simple descriptive term, its usage subtly points to profound theological truths. In the context of the manna, the hot sun underscores God's structured provision and the necessity of daily dependence. In Job, the warm garments exemplify God's sovereign control over all natural elements. חָם therefore, though a common descriptor, contributes to the biblical witness of God's meticulous ordering of the physical world, His providential care, and His ultimate power over creation, all of which invite human trust and worship.
TRV