### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word H2558 (חֹמֶץ, chômets) primarily denotes "vinegar." Its etymological root is H2556 (חָמֵץ, chamets), a verb meaning "to be sour," "to be leavened," or "to ferment." This etymological connection highlights that chômets is a product of fermentation, specifically a liquid that has turned acidic and sour, often from wine or other strong drinks. The semantic range is quite narrow, consistently referring to this specific sour liquid. In the ancient Near East, vinegar was a common substance, used for various purposes including as a condiment, a refreshing (when diluted) or sometimes medicinal drink, and occasionally in ritual contexts. Its defining characteristic is its sharp, pungent, and acidic taste.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
H2558 appears in five distinct contexts within the Hebrew Bible, each revealing a different facet of its significance:
* **[[Numbers 6:3]]:** In the regulations for the Nazirite vow, individuals consecrated to the Lord were forbidden from drinking "vinegar of wine" (חֹמֶץ יַיִן) or "vinegar of strong drink" (חֹמֶץ שֵׁכָר). This prohibition underscores the Nazirite's separation from common practices and their commitment to ritual purity. The avoidance of fermented products, including vinegar, symbolized a life set apart and consecrated to God, distinct from the revelry or corruption sometimes associated with such beverages.
* **[[Ruth 2:14]]:** Boaz, showing kindness to Ruth, invites her to "dip your morsel in the vinegar" (וְטָבַלְתְּ פִּתֵּךְ בַּחֹמֶץ). Here, chômets is presented as a common condiment or relish, used to add flavor to bread, especially during a meal in the field. This demonstrates its practical, everyday use as part of a simple diet, and highlights an act of hospitality and provision.
* **[[Psalm 69:21]]:** This prophetic psalm describes the suffering of the afflicted one: "They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink." In this context, chômets symbolizes extreme cruelty and mockery. To offer a sour, unrefreshing drink to someone dying of thirst is an act of profound contempt and a denial of basic human compassion, intensifying the suffering described. This verse is widely understood as a direct prophecy of the Messiah's passion.
* **[[Proverbs 10:26]]:** "As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him." Here, chômets is used metaphorically to describe something unpleasant and irritating. The sharp, jarring sensation of vinegar on the teeth serves as an analogy for the vexation and inefficiency caused by a lazy or unreliable messenger. It highlights the disruptive and annoying nature of idleness.
* **[[Proverbs 25:20]]:** "As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to a heavy heart." This proverb employs a chemical reaction as an analogy. "Nitre" (נָתֶר, nater, likely sodium carbonate) reacts effervescently with acid (vinegar), producing a violent fizzing. This unsettling reaction symbolizes the inappropriate and jarring effect of offering cheerful songs or levity to someone in deep sorrow. It underscores the importance of empathy, discernment, and sensitivity to another's emotional state.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **H2556 (חָמֵץ, chamets):** The verbal root from which chômets is derived, meaning "to be sour," "to be leavened." This connection is vital, as it links vinegar to the process of fermentation and, by extension, to the biblical concept of leaven (often symbolizing corruption or sin, particularly in Passover contexts).
* **H3196 (יַיִן, yayin):** Wine, the most common source from which vinegar was produced.
* **H7941 (שֵׁכָר, shekar):** Strong drink, another source for vinegar, as noted in the Nazirite vow.
* **Sourness/Bitterness:** The defining sensory characteristic of chômets links it to broader biblical themes of taste, which are often used metaphorically for experiences (e.g., "bitter" experiences), words, or spiritual conditions.
* **Purity/Defilement:** The Nazirite prohibition of chômets places it within the sphere of ritual purity and separation unto God.
* **Suffering/Mockery:** The use of chômets in Psalm 69 and its New Testament fulfillment strongly connects it to themes of profound suffering, rejection, and contempt.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of chômets is multifaceted:
* **Consecration and Holiness:** In the Nazirite vow, the abstinence from "vinegar of wine" and "vinegar of strong drink" symbolizes a life set apart for God ([[Numbers 6:3]]). This act of self-denial underscores the principle of holiness, where certain common indulgences are forsaken to achieve a higher state of spiritual dedication and purity, reflecting a distinct identity as God's chosen.
* **Divine Provision and Human Kindness:** Boaz's invitation to Ruth to dip her bread in vinegar ([[Ruth 2:14]]) illustrates a practical act of hospitality and provision. It subtly points to the Lord's care for the vulnerable through the kindness of His people, transforming a simple condiment into a symbol of grace and welcome within the covenant community.
* **Messianic Suffering and Atonement:** The most profound theological implication of chômets lies in its prophetic and historical connection to the crucifixion of Jesus. [[Psalm 69:21]] foretells the suffering Messiah being offered vinegar in His thirst. This prophecy is explicitly fulfilled in the Gospels ([[Matthew 27:48]], [[Mark 15:36]], [[Luke 23:36]], [[John 19:29-30]]), where Jesus is given sour wine (vinegar) on the cross. This act of cruelty, offering a bitter and unrefreshing drink to the dying Savior, epitomizes the depth of human sin and rejection of God's Anointed. Yet, in Jesus' acceptance of it, it signifies the completion of His atoning work, fulfilling all prophecy and demonstrating His utter identification with humanity's suffering for the sake of redemption.
* **Wisdom and Discernment:** The metaphorical uses in Proverbs ([[Proverbs 10:26]], [[Proverbs 25:20]]) offer practical theological insights into human conduct. Chômets here symbolizes that which is unpleasant, irritating, or ill-timed. These proverbs teach the importance of wisdom, discernment, and empathy in interpersonal relationships, warning against actions or attitudes that cause distress or are counterproductive to harmonious living.
### Summary
The Hebrew word H2558 (חֹמֶץ, chômets), meaning "vinegar," transcends its literal definition to convey significant theological truths within the biblical narrative. Derived from the verb "to be sour," it first appears as an element of **consecration and holiness** in the Nazirite vow, signifying a life set apart from common practices. In the book of Ruth, it represents **divine provision and human kindness**, illustrating a simple act of hospitality. Most profoundly, chômets becomes a powerful symbol of **Messianic suffering and atonement**, prophetically foreshadowing and literally fulfilling the cruel treatment of Jesus on the cross, highlighting the depth of His sacrifice and human rejection. Finally, in the wisdom literature, it serves metaphorically to teach **discernment and the consequences of inappropriate actions**, likening the discomfort of vinegar to the irritation caused by a sluggard or ill-timed cheer. Thus, chômets is a humble yet potent word, rich with meaning concerning separation, compassion, suffering, and wisdom in God's redemptive plan.
TRV