The Hebrew word chammâh, represented by H2535, is defined as heat and by implication, the sun. It is a specific term that appears 6 times across 5 unique verses in scripture, often in poetic or prophetic contexts to describe the literal sun or its powerful heat.
In its biblical usage, H2535 primarily refers to the sun as a celestial body. In a prophecy of future glory, the light of the sun is described as becoming sevenfold Isaiah 30:26. It is also used metaphorically to convey intense emotion or divine judgment, as when the sun is "ashamed" before the reign of the LORD Isaiah 24:23. The term is a standard for beauty and brightness, as seen in the description of a woman who is "clear as the sun" Song of Solomon 6:10. The word can also refer to the sun's physical effect, as in Psalms 19:6, which states that nothing is hidden from its heat. In a state of deep sorrow, Job describes himself as mourning "without the sun" Job 30:28.
Several related words are used in conjunction with H2535 to describe celestial light and purity:
- H3842 lᵉbânâh (the moon): Defined as "(the) white, i.e. the moon," this word frequently appears alongside H2535 to contrast the two great luminaries, as in Isaiah 24:23 and Song of Solomon 6:10.
- H216 ʼôwr (light): This word for "illumination or (concrete) luminary" is used to describe the output of the sun H2535, such as when "the light of the sun shall be sevenfold" Isaiah 30:26.
- H1249 bar (clear, pure): Meaning "beloved; also pure, empty; choice, clean, clear, pure," this term is used to qualify the sun's appearance in the comparison "clear as the sun" Song of Solomon 6:10.
- H7837 shachar (morning, dawn): This word for "dawn" is used to build a sequence of celestial imagery, leading up to the comparison with the sun in Song of Solomon 6:10.
The theological weight of H2535 is seen in its powerful symbolic applications.
- Eschatological Sign: The sun's state is used as a marker for God's ultimate judgment and restoration. It is "ashamed" when the LORD reigns Isaiah 24:23, but its light is dramatically intensified when He heals His people Isaiah 30:26.
- Standard of Purity and Glory: In the Song of Solomon, being "clear as the sun" Song of Solomon 6:10 is the pinnacle of a person's magnificent appearance, establishing the sun as a metaphor for ultimate purity and brightness.
- Symbol of Despair's Antithesis: The absence of the sun is used by Job to convey the depth of his suffering, indicating that its presence represents normalcy, life, and well-being Job 30:28.
- Emblem of Pervasive Power: The inescapable heat of the sun in its circuit illustrates a power in creation from which nothing can be hidden, a theme explored in Psalms 19:6.
In summary, H2535 chammâh is a focused and evocative term for the sun and its heat. While used sparingly in the Old Testament, its appearances are significant, providing powerful imagery in both prophetic and poetic literature. It functions not only as a literal descriptor of the celestial body but also as a profound symbol for divine power, purity, judgment, and restoration.
TRV