from חָם; heat; by implication, the sun; heat, sun.
Transliteration:chammâh
Pronunciation:kham-maw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word חַמָּה (chammâh, `{{H2535}}`) is derived from the root חָם (chām, `{{H2527}}`), which means "to be hot" or "to grow warm." Its primary semantic range therefore centers on "heat," particularly intense or scorching heat. By a natural metonymic extension, חַמָּה also refers to "the sun" itself, as the preeminent source of such heat. This dual meaning allows the word to describe both the physical sensation or condition of heat and the celestial body responsible for it. The nuance often leans towards the powerful, sometimes oppressive, aspect of the sun's rays, rather than merely its warmth or light.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
חַמָּה occurs 31 times in the Old Testament, exhibiting its dual meaning across various contexts.
1. **Literal Heat:** In some instances, חַמָּה refers to the physical sensation or atmospheric condition of heat. For example, in [[Genesis 18:1]], Abraham is described as sitting "in the heat of the day," indicating the hottest part of the afternoon. Similarly, [[2 Samuel 4:5]] mentions resting "at the heat of the day," and [[Jeremiah 17:8]] speaks of a tree whose "leaf is green and will not be anxious in the year of drought nor cease from yielding fruit," even "when heat comes."
2. **The Sun Itself:** More frequently, חַמָּה denotes the sun as a celestial body, often emphasizing its powerful, pervasive, or scorching effect.
* In [[Psalm 19:6]], the psalmist proclaims the sun's circuit, stating, "and there is nothing hidden from its heat," clearly referring to the sun's all-encompassing influence.
* [[Jonah 4:8]] vividly portrays the sun's intensity: "When the sun rose, God appointed a scorching east wind, and the sun beat down on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint." Here, חַמָּה is the direct cause of Jonah's distress.
* [[Isaiah 49:10]] uses חַמָּה in parallel with שֶׁמֶשׁ (shemesh, `{{H8121}}`, the more common word for sun) to emphasize the intensity: "They will not hunger or thirst, nor will the scorching heat or sun strike them down." This verse highlights the destructive potential of the sun's heat.
* A significant occurrence is in [[Psalm 121:6]], a declaration of divine protection: "The sun will not strike you by day, nor the moon by night." This verse encapsulates the protective aspect of Yahweh against the potentially harmful effects of חַמָּה.
The contexts demonstrate that חַמָּה often carries a connotation of intensity, whether literal heat or the sun's powerful presence, which can be either beneficial (as part of God's creation) or detrimental (as a source of discomfort or danger).
### Related Words & Concepts
* **חָם (chām, `{{H2527}}`):** The verbal root "to be hot," from which חַמָּה is directly derived. This foundational connection underscores the core meaning of heat.
* **חֹם (chom, `{{H2528}}`):** A masculine noun also meaning "heat," often used interchangeably with חַמָּה in its sense of warmth or heat.
* **שֶׁמֶשׁ (shemesh, `{{H8121}}`):** The most common Hebrew word for "sun." While חַמָּה can also mean "sun," שֶׁמֶשׁ is a more general term for the celestial body, often used in contexts of light, timekeeping (sunrise/sunset), or as an object of worship. חַמָּה, when referring to the sun, specifically emphasizes its thermal, often scorching, quality. The two words can appear together to intensify the description of the sun's power, as seen in [[Isaiah 49:10]].
* **אוֹר (or, `{{H216}}`):** "Light" in a broader sense, encompassing the sun's light but not limited to it. חַמָּה focuses on the *heat* aspect, not primarily the illumination.
* **צֵל (tsel, `{{H6738}}`):** "Shade" or "shadow," often presented as a direct antithesis to חַמָּה. Shade offers relief and protection from the sun's intensity, highlighting the vulnerability of living beings to חַמָּה and the need for shelter (e.g., [[Psalm 121:6]]).
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of חַמָּה is multifaceted, touching upon divine providence, human vulnerability, and the nature of blessing and judgment.
1. **Divine Sovereignty and Protection:** The sun, as חַמָּה, is a powerful force of nature. Its ability to scorch and distress underscores human fragility. Yet, the biblical narrative consistently places this powerful entity under God's ultimate control. [[Psalm 121:6]] stands as a profound theological statement, assuring the believer that "The sun will not strike you by day, nor the moon by night." This verse powerfully articulates God's active, vigilant protection over His people against the potentially harmful elements of His own creation. It speaks to Yahweh's meticulous care and His ability to shield His elect from the very forces He commands.
2. **Symbol of Hardship and Judgment:** In certain prophetic passages, the intense heat of חַמָּה can symbolize periods of distress, hardship, or divine judgment. The absence of such scorching heat, conversely, signifies blessing, restoration, and a state of peace and well-being, as promised in [[Isaiah 49:10]] for the redeemed.
3. **Creation and Sustenance:** While capable of harm, חַמָּה is also an integral part of God's created order, essential for life on earth. Its consistent rising and setting, and its pervasive heat, testify to the Creator's wisdom and power in establishing and maintaining the cosmos.
### Summary
חַמָּה (chammâh, `{{H2535}}`) is a Hebrew noun primarily meaning "heat," and by extension, "the sun," particularly emphasizing its intense or scorching quality. Derived from the root חָם (to be hot), it appears 31 times in the Old Testament, referring to both literal physical heat (e.g., [[Genesis 18:1]]) and, more commonly, the sun as the source of that heat (e.g., [[Jonah 4:8]]). While שֶׁמֶשׁ (`{{H8121}}`) is the general term for "sun," חַמָּה accentuates the sun's powerful, often oppressive, thermal effect. Theologically, חַמָּה serves as a potent symbol within the biblical narrative, highlighting God's providential care and protection against the harshness of creation, as powerfully expressed in [[Psalm 121:6]]. It underscores human vulnerability and dependence on the Creator, who orchestrates both the beneficial and challenging aspects of the natural world, ultimately for His glory and the good of His people.
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