### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term חַמָּן (chammân), Strong's number `{{H2553}}`, is derived from the root חַמָּה (chammâh, `{{H2552}}`), meaning "sun" or "heat." This etymological connection is crucial, indicating that a chammân is fundamentally a "sun-pillar" or "sun-image." Its semantic range extends to encompass any idol or image associated with sun worship, or more broadly, a specific type of pagan cultic object. Unlike a general "idol" (e.g., פֶּסֶל, `{{H6459}}`), chammân carries the specific connotation of an object dedicated to or representing a solar deity, often taking the form of a standing stone or pillar.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term chammân appears eight times in the Old Testament, always in the plural (חַמָּנִים), and consistently in contexts condemning idolatry and commanding its eradication.
1. **[[Leviticus 26:30]]**: Here, God warns of the consequences of covenant disobedience, stating, "And I will destroy your high places and cut down your incense altars and cast your dead bodies upon the dead bodies of your idols, and my soul will abhor you." The chammânim are listed among other idolatrous objects and practices that will be demolished as divine judgment.
2. **[[Isaiah 17:8]]**: In a prophecy concerning the judgment of Damascus and Ephraim, the text states, "And he shall not look to the altars, the work of his hands, neither shall respect that which his fingers have made, the groves and the images." The chammânim are linked with "groves" (אֲשֵׁרִים, Asherah poles, `{{H842}}`), emphasizing their role in pagan worship structures.
3. **[[Isaiah 27:9]]**: This verse speaks of Jacob's iniquity being purged, stating, "when he maketh all the stones of the altar as chalkstones that are beaten in sunder, the groves and images shall not stand up." Again, chammânim are paired with Asherah poles, indicating their removal is a sign of national repentance and purification.
4. **[[Ezekiel 6:4]]**: As part of a prophecy against the idolatrous mountains of Israel, God declares, "And your altars shall be desolate, and your images broken: and I will cast down your slain men before your idols." The breaking of chammânim signifies the utter destruction of the idolatrous system.
5. **[[Ezekiel 6:6]]**: This reiterates the judgment, "In all your dwellingplaces the cities shall be laid waste, and the high places shall be desolate; that your altars may be laid waste and made desolate, and your idols may be broken and cease, and your images may be cut down, and your works may be abolished." The cutting down of chammânim is a comprehensive act of divine judgment and cleansing.
6. **[[2 Chronicles 14:5]]**: Describing King Asa's reforms, it states, "Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the images: and the kingdom was quiet before him." Asa's removal of the chammânim is presented as an act of faithfulness that brought peace and divine favor.
7. **[[2 Chronicles 34:4]]**: This recounts King Josiah's extensive religious reforms, noting, "And they brake down the altars of Baalim in his presence; and the images, that were on high above them, he cut down; and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images, he brake in pieces, and made dust of them, and strewed it upon the graves of them that had sacrificed unto them." Josiah's zealous destruction of chammânim underscores their profound offense to Yahweh.
8. **[[2 Chronicles 34:7]]**: Further describing Josiah's actions, "And when he had broken down the altars and the groves, and had beaten the graven images into powder, and cut down all the images throughout all the land of Israel, he returned to Jerusalem." The comprehensive nature of the destruction of chammânim across the land highlights their pervasive presence and the thoroughness required for spiritual purity.
Across these occurrences, chammânim are consistently associated with high places, altars, and Asherah poles, forming part of the illicit religious landscape that Israel was commanded to dismantle. Their destruction is a recurring theme in prophetic warnings and accounts of righteous kings' reforms, signifying a return to exclusive worship of Yahweh.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is חַמָּה (chammâh, `{{H2552}}`), the direct root meaning "sun" or "heat," confirming the solar association of chammân. This links chammân to the broader phenomenon of sun worship, a common ancient Near Eastern practice (e.g., Egyptian Ra, Mesopotamian Shamash).
Other related terms include:
* מַצֵּבָה (matstsebah, `{{H4676}}`): "pillar" or "standing stone," often used for idolatrous purposes (e.g., Baal pillars). The chammân likely took the form of such a pillar, specifically dedicated to the sun.
* אֲשֵׁרָה (asherah, `{{H842}}`): "Asherah pole" or "grove," representing the Canaanite goddess Asherah. chammânim are frequently mentioned alongside Asherah poles, indicating their concurrent use in syncretistic worship.
* פֶּסֶל (pesel, `{{H6459}}`): "graven image" or "idol," a more general term for a carved cultic object.
* מַסֵּכָה (massekah, `{{H4572}}`): "molten image," referring to an idol cast from metal.
* בַּעַל (Ba'al, `{{H1168}}`): The primary Canaanite storm god, often worshipped alongside Asherah and other deities, including solar ones.
The consistent pairing of chammânim with Asherah poles and altars to Baal suggests their integration into a wider Canaanite religious system that Israel adopted.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of chammân is profound, underscoring several core tenets of Israelite faith:
1. **Exclusive Worship of Yahweh**: The very existence of chammânim represents a direct violation of the First Commandment ([[Exodus 20:3]]), "You shall have no other gods before me," and the Second Commandment ([[Exodus 20:4-5]]), prohibiting the making and worship of images. The chammân symbolizes the allure and danger of syncretism and polytheism, which constantly threatened Israel's unique covenant relationship with Yahweh.
2. **Divine Jealousy and Judgment**: God's repeated command to destroy chammânim and the severe judgments pronounced against those who tolerated them (e.g., [[Leviticus 26:30]]) highlight His holy jealousy for His people's exclusive devotion. The presence of chammânim provoked divine wrath, leading to exile and desolation.
3. **Purity of the Land and Worship**: The removal and destruction of chammânim by righteous kings like Asa and Josiah (e.g., [[2 Chronicles 14:5]], [[2 Chronicles 34:4]]) were acts of national purification, aimed at cleansing the land of idolatry and restoring pure worship. This act symbolized a renewal of the covenant and a return to faithfulness.
4. **Rejection of Pagan Influence**: As objects of sun worship, chammânim represent the pagan religious practices of the surrounding nations, particularly the Canaanites. Their eradication was essential for Israel to maintain its distinct identity as a people set apart for Yahweh.
### Summary
The Hebrew word חַמָּן (chammân, `{{H2553}}`) refers to a "sun-pillar" or "sun-image," a specific type of idol associated with solar worship. Found exclusively in the plural in the Old Testament, chammânim are consistently depicted as objects of abhorrent idolatry, often paired with Asherah poles and altars to Baal. Their presence signifies Israel's apostasy and syncretism, drawing divine judgment. Conversely, their destruction, as commanded by God and carried out by reforming kings, represents a vital act of covenant faithfulness, national purification, and a reaffirmation of Yahweh's exclusive sovereignty over His people. The study of chammân thus illuminates the constant struggle against idolatry in ancient Israel and underscores the biblical imperative for exclusive devotion to the one true God.
TRV