or חֲמִשִּׁי; ordinal from חָמֵשׁ; fifth; also a fifth; fifth (part).
Transliteration:chămîyshîy
Pronunciation:kham-ee-shee'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word châmîyshîy (`{{H2549}}`) is an ordinal number derived from the cardinal number chamesh (`{{H2568}}`), meaning "five." Its primary and most frequent meaning is "fifth" in sequence, indicating a specific position within a series. Beyond its ordinal function, châmîyshîy can also denote "a fifth part" or "one-fifth" of something, signifying a fractional portion or a specific percentage. Grammatically, it functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to denote their sequential position, or as a substantive, referring to the fifth item itself or the fifth portion.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
châmîyshîy (`{{H2549}}`) appears numerous times throughout the Hebrew Bible, primarily in contexts of enumeration, chronology, and legal stipulations.
* **Creation Account:** One of its most significant appearances is in the creation narrative, marking the "fifth day" of God's creative work: "And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after their kind: and God saw that it was good... And the evening and the morning were the fifth day" ([[Genesis 1:21]], [[Genesis 1:23]]). This highlights the systematic and progressive nature of divine creation.
* **Chronological Markers:** The word frequently denotes the "fifth month" in historical and prophetic contexts, often associated with significant events: "And in the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month, which is the nineteenth year of king Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, came Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, a servant of the king of Babylon, unto Jerusalem" ([[2 Kings 25:8]]). This fifth month was a period of national mourning due to the destruction of the Temple ([[Zechariah 7:3]], [[Zechariah 8:19]]).
* **Numerical Lists and Divisions:** châmîyshîy is used to specify the fifth item in various enumerations:
* The fifth son in a lineage: "And Leah conceived again, and bare Jacob the fifth son" ([[Genesis 30:19]]).
* The fifth offering or division in Levitical instructions: "Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD" ([[Leviticus 23:16]]).
* The fifth lot or course for priestly and Levitical service: "The fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin" ([[1 Chronicles 24:9]]).
* The fifth military commander or official in various administrative lists: "The fifth captain for the fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite: and in his course were twenty and four thousand" ([[1 Chronicles 27:8]]).
* **Fractional Use ("A Fifth Part"):** In several instances, châmîyshîy denotes a "fifth part" or "one-fifth," particularly in legal and economic contexts:
* Joseph's policy in Egypt: "And it shall come to pass in the increase, that ye shall give the fifth part unto Pharaoh, and four parts shall be your own, for seed of the field, and for your food, and for them of your households, and for food for your little ones" ([[Genesis 47:24]]). This established a system of taxation or tribute.
* Restitution and Redemption in Mosaic Law: A prominent use is the requirement to add a "fifth part" when making restitution for trespasses or redeeming consecrated items: "And he shall make amends for the harm that he hath done in the holy thing, and shall add the fifth part thereto, and give it unto the priest: and the priest shall make an atonement for him with the ram of the trespass offering, and it shall be forgiven him" ([[Leviticus 5:16]]; also [[Leviticus 27:13]], [[Leviticus 27:15]], [[Leviticus 27:19]], [[Leviticus 27:27]], [[Leviticus 27:31]]). This "added fifth" served as a penalty or premium, emphasizing full restoration and the seriousness of the offense.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **chamesh (`{{H2568}}`):** The cardinal number "five," from which châmîyshîy is directly derived. Understanding the numerical significance of "five" (e.g., often associated with grace, divine power, or responsibility) can provide a broader context, though châmîyshîy itself primarily denotes order.
* **chamishshah (`{{H2569}}`):** Another form of "five," often used when referring to groups of five people.
* **Ordinal Numbers:** châmîyshîy belongs to the category of Hebrew ordinal numbers (e.g., rishon `{{H7223}}` "first", sheniy `{{H8145}}` "second", shelishiy `{{H7992}}` "third", revi `{{H7256}}` "fourth", shishshiy `{{H8345}}` "sixth", shevi `{{H7637}}` "seventh"). These words are foundational for establishing sequence, structure, and order within the biblical narrative, law, and genealogies.
* **"Added Fifth" (Legal Concept):** The concept of adding a fifth part to restitution is a specific legal provision within the Mosaic Law, demonstrating the emphasis on complete atonement, penalty, and the restoration of what was owed or defiled. It reflects a deeper principle of justice beyond mere equivalence.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of châmîyshîy (`{{H2549}}`) is primarily derived from the contexts in which it appears, illuminating aspects of God's character, His dealings with humanity, and the principles of His covenant.
* **Divine Order and Purposeful Creation:** The designation of the "fifth day" in the creation account ([[Genesis 1:23]]) highlights God's meticulous order and purposeful design in bringing the cosmos into being. On this day, God fills the waters and the heavens with abundant life, demonstrating His creative power and provision. It signifies a crucial stage in the unfolding of creation, leading towards its culmination.
* **Justice, Restitution, and Holiness:** The recurring motif of the "added fifth" in Levitical law ([[Leviticus 5:16]], [[Leviticus 27:13]] etc.) carries profound theological weight. It underscores the principles of divine justice, the seriousness of sin, and the necessity of full restitution. This legal requirement teaches that mere repayment for a wrong against God or neighbor is often insufficient; an additional measure is required to signify repentance, to restore what was broken, and to uphold the sanctity of God's law and the holiness of His people. It emphasizes God's demand for complete and thorough reconciliation.
* **Divine Sovereignty in History:** The use of châmîyshîy as a chronological marker for significant historical events (e.g., the "fifth month" associated with the destruction of Jerusalem) serves as a reminder of God's sovereign control over time and history, even amidst judgment and national calamity. These precise datings ground the biblical narrative in a divinely ordained timeline, demonstrating that God's plans unfold according to His perfect schedule.
* **Thematic Resonance with "Five":** While châmîyshîy is an ordinal, its connection to the cardinal number chamesh (`{{H2568}}`) can subtly evoke broader theological themes sometimes associated with "five," such as grace, divine power, and completeness (e.g., the five books of the Torah as God's complete instruction, the five fingers symbolizing human capacity or divine interaction). The abundant life created on the "fifth day" can be seen as an act of divine grace and overflowing provision.
### Summary
The Hebrew word châmîyshîy (`{{H2549}}`) fundamentally means "fifth" or "a fifth part," derived from the cardinal number chamesh (`{{H2568}}`). Its biblical usage is diverse, serving as a chronological marker (e.g., the "fifth day" of creation in [[Genesis 1:23]], the "fifth month" in historical records), a positional indicator in various lists (e.g., sons, priestly courses), and significantly, as a descriptor for the "added fifth" in legal contexts of restitution and redemption within the Mosaic Law ([[Leviticus 5:16]]). Theologically, châmîyshîy highlights God's meticulous order in creation, His unwavering principles of justice and the demand for full restoration in the covenant, and His sovereign hand in the unfolding of historical events. While primarily a numerical and positional term, the contexts in which châmîyshîy appears imbue it with profound insights into divine design, legal requirements, and the purposeful progression of God's plan.
TRV