a primitive root; to be hot (literally or figuratively); enflame self, get (have) heat, be (wax) hot, (be, wax) warm (self, at).
Transliteration:châmam
Pronunciation:khaw-mam'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew verb `{{H2552}}` (חָמַם, *châmam*) is a primitive root carrying the fundamental meaning "to be hot" or "to become warm." Its semantic range extends from literal physical temperature to figurative states of intense emotion or spiritual condition. In its most basic sense, it describes the acquisition or presence of heat.
Figuratively, *châmam* can denote:
1. **Emotional Intensity:** An internal "heating up" of the heart or spirit, signifying strong emotion such as zeal, distress, or anger.
2. **Passion/Lust:** In certain contexts, particularly in the Hithpael stem, it can refer to the "inflaming" of oneself with illicit desire, often associated with idolatrous practices.
3. **Physical Manifestation:** The warmth associated with life, comfort, or conversely, the lack thereof.
The verb appears in various stems, each subtly nuanced:
* **Qal (simple active):** "to be hot," "to become warm" (e.g., [[Psalm 39:3]]).
* **Nifal (passive/reflexive):** "to be warmed," "to warm oneself."
* **Hithpael (reflexive/intensive):** "to warm oneself," "to make oneself hot," often with a connotation of intense, self-generated heat, sometimes for illicit purposes (e.g., [[Isaiah 57:5]]).
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of `{{H2552}}` in the Hebrew Bible illustrate its diverse applications:
1. **Literal Physical Warmth:**
* In [[1 Kings 1:2]], the concubine Abishag is sought to "warm" King David, providing physical comfort and heat in his old age. This highlights the practical, life-sustaining aspect of warmth.
* [[Jeremiah 36:22]] describes King Jehoiakim "warming himself" by a brazier, a common act of seeking comfort from cold.
* [[Haggai 1:6]] uses *châmam* to lament the futility of human labor without divine blessing: "You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm." Here, the lack of warmth signifies a deeper spiritual and material dissatisfaction, despite effort.
* [[Job 39:14]] describes the ostrich "warming" her eggs in the dust, illustrating a natural, instinctual act of incubation.
2. **Figurative Emotional/Spiritual Heat:**
* One of the most striking figurative uses is found in [[Isaiah 57:5]]: "You who inflame yourselves among the terebinths, under every green tree, who slaughter the children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks." Here, the Hithpael form of *châmam* ("inflame yourselves") graphically depicts the fervent, passionate, and often sexualized nature of idolatrous worship and child sacrifice. It speaks to a self-generated, illicit passion that leads to heinous acts.
* [[Psalm 39:3]] provides insight into the inner emotional state: "My heart grew hot within me; as I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue." The psalmist's heart "heating up" describes an intense inner turmoil, a burning emotion (perhaps indignation or distress) that eventually compels him to speak. This illustrates the internal, psychological dimension of the word.
* In [[Hosea 7:7]], the phrase "all of them are hot like an oven" uses a related noun, *chom*, but the root *châmam* informs the underlying concept of intense, uncontrolled heat, here applied to the burning desire of unfaithfulness or rebellion.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of `{{H2552}}` includes several related Hebrew terms that describe heat, fire, or intense states:
* `{{H3554}}` (*kham*, "hot"): A related adjective derived from the same root, often referring to physical heat.
* `{{H2535}}` (*chammah*, "heat"): Typically refers to the heat of the sun.
* `{{H784}}` (*'esh*, "fire"): The primary word for fire, often associated with divine presence, judgment, or human sacrifice.
* `{{H1197}}` (*ba'ar*, "to burn"): A verb signifying active burning or consumption by fire.
* `{{H2787}}` (*charar*, "to be parched, scorched"): Implies a more intense, destructive heat.
* **Antonym:** `{{H7136}}` (*qarar*, "to be cold"): This root highlights the opposite state, emphasizing the spectrum of temperature and its implications for comfort and life.
Conceptually, *châmam* is linked to:
* **Physical Well-being:** The necessity of warmth for comfort and survival.
* **Human Emotion:** The internal combustion of feelings, whether righteous zeal or destructive passion.
* **Spiritual Condition:** The "heat" of devotion, or conversely, the "inflaming" of oneself in idolatry, revealing the state of the heart before God.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H2552}}` lies primarily in its capacity to describe both the physical needs of humanity and the moral and spiritual temperature of the human heart.
1. **Dependence on Divine Provision:** The literal uses of *châmam* for warmth (e.g., [[1 Kings 1:2]], [[Haggai 1:6]]) subtly underscore human vulnerability and dependence. The lack of warmth in [[Haggai 1:6]] is a consequence of God's withholding of blessing, demonstrating that true satisfaction and comfort come from Him, not merely human effort.
2. **The State of the Human Heart:** The figurative uses are profoundly significant. In [[Psalm 39:3]], the "hot" heart reflects the intense inner life of the believer, where contemplation and distress can lead to a burning desire to speak truth. This points to the dynamic, often turbulent, nature of the human spirit in its relationship with God and the world.
3. **Warning Against Idolatry and Sin:** Most critically, the use in [[Isaiah 57:5]] portrays the terrifying reality of spiritual apostasy. To "inflame oneself" in idolatry is to engage in a self-generated, passionate pursuit of false gods, often involving immoral and destructive practices. This "heat" is not from God but is a perversion of human desire, leading to spiritual adultery and the shedding of innocent blood. It serves as a stark warning against the dangers of unbridled passion directed away from the Creator.
### Summary
The Hebrew verb `{{H2552}}` (*châmam*) is a versatile root meaning "to be hot" or "to become warm." While often describing literal physical warmth for comfort or practical purposes (e.g., [[1 Kings 1:2]], [[Jeremiah 36:22]]), its deeper theological import emerges in its figurative applications. It powerfully illustrates the internal emotional states of the human heart, from the burning distress of a psalmist (e.g., [[Psalm 39:3]]) to the fervent, illicit passions of idolatrous worship (e.g., [[Isaiah 57:5]]). Thus, *châmam* serves as a poignant descriptor of the human condition, revealing both our physical needs and the spiritual "temperature" of our devotion or rebellion before the Almighty.
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