### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic term chămar (חֲמַר), transliterated as chămar, carries the primary meaning of "wine." As explicitly stated in its base definition, it directly corresponds to the Hebrew word `{{H2561}}` (חֶמֶר), which also signifies "wine." This linguistic congruence across Hebrew and Aramaic underscores a shared understanding and usage of this fermented beverage in the ancient Near East. The root of chămar and `{{H2561}}` is often associated with concepts like "to foam," "to boil up," or "to be red," likely referring to the effervescence and characteristic color of wine during fermentation. Thus, the semantic range is tightly focused on the beverage itself, encompassing its physical properties and its role in various societal and religious contexts.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
As an Aramaic word, chămar appears exclusively in the Aramaic portions of the Old Testament, specifically in the books of Ezra and Daniel. Its occurrences provide a striking contrast in their contextual applications:
* **Ezra 6:9** and **Ezra 7:22**: In these passages, chămar refers to wine provided for the temple service in Jerusalem. In Ezra 6:9, King Darius issues a decree stipulating that provisions, including "wine" (חֲמַר), be given to the priests for burnt offerings at the rebuilt temple. Similarly, in Ezra 7:22, King Artaxerxes authorizes Ezra to draw unlimited amounts of "wine" (חֲמַר) for the service of the house of God. Here, wine is depicted as a necessary and divinely sanctioned element for cultic worship, symbolizing sustenance and the means of offering to God.
* **Daniel 5:1, 5:2, 5:4, 5:23**: The occurrences of chămar in Daniel 5 paint a starkly different picture. These verses describe Belshazzar's notorious feast, where "wine" (חֲמַר) is consumed in great quantities. The king, in his drunken revelry, orders the sacred vessels from the Jerusalem temple to be brought out so that he and his nobles, wives, and concubines might drink "wine" (חֲמַר) from them. This act of sacrilege, fueled by the consumption of wine, leads directly to the divine judgment inscribed on the wall. In this context, chămar is associated with excess, idolatry, blasphemy, and the prelude to divine wrath.
The dual portrayal of chămar in these books highlights the contrasting ways in which a common substance can be used: for sacred devotion and for profane indulgence, with vastly different consequences.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word to chămar is its Hebrew counterpart, `{{H2561}}` (חֶמֶר), which shares the exact same meaning of "wine" and is likely etymologically linked. Beyond this direct correspondence, chămar is semantically related to:
* `{{H3196}}` (יַיִן - yayin): The most common Hebrew word for "wine," frequently appearing throughout the Old Testament in various contexts, from offerings to intoxication.
* `{{H6071}}` (עָסִיס - asis): New wine or must, often associated with blessing or prophetic imagery.
* `{{H8492}}` (תִּירוֹשׁ - tirosh): New wine, often linked with agricultural produce and divine blessing.
Conceptually, chămar is intertwined with:
* **Feasting and Revelry:** As seen in Daniel 5, wine is central to celebratory or indulgent gatherings.
* **Offerings and Libations:** Its use in the temple (Ezra) connects it to ritual worship and covenantal practices.
* **Intoxication and Drunkenness:** The potential for misuse is inherent in the nature of wine, leading to impaired judgment and sin.
* **Divine Provision:** In its positive use, wine represents God's provision for His people and their worship.
* **Judgment:** In contexts of misuse, wine can become a symbol or catalyst for divine reckoning.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of chămar lies primarily in its dual representation within the biblical narrative. On one hand, chămar (wine) is presented as a legitimate and even necessary component of worship and divine provision. In Ezra, the Persian kings' decrees to supply wine for the temple underscore God's sovereign hand in providing for His people's spiritual needs, even through gentile rulers. This context elevates wine to a sacred element, part of the joyful and reverent service due to God. It symbolizes the abundance of God's blessings and the means by which His people can draw near to Him in worship.
On the other hand, the portrayal of chămar in Daniel 5 serves as a potent theological warning. Here, wine is inextricably linked with human hubris, sacrilege, and impending judgment. Belshazzar's drunken feast, culminating in the desecration of sacred vessels, illustrates the profound danger of misusing divine provisions and defying God. The wine-fueled revelry becomes a symbol of spiritual blindness and moral decay, directly preceding the "Mene, Mene, Tekel, Parsin" inscription and the king's demise.
Thus, chămar encapsulates a profound theological truth: a substance that can be consecrated for divine purposes and symbolize blessing can also become an instrument or catalyst for sin, leading to severe consequences when used in defiance of God's holiness. It highlights the human responsibility in stewardship and the stark contrast between reverent worship and profane indulgence.
### Summary
chămar (חֲמַר) is an Aramaic term meaning "wine," directly corresponding to the Hebrew `{{H2561}}`. Its biblical occurrences are limited to the Aramaic portions of Ezra and Daniel, where it carries significant, contrasting connotations. In Ezra, chămar represents essential provisions for sacred temple worship, symbolizing divine blessing and the means of reverent offering. Conversely, in Daniel, chămar is central to Belshazzar's impious feast, symbolizing excess, sacrilege, and the catalyst for divine judgment. This stark duality underscores the biblical theme of human accountability in the use of God's provisions, demonstrating how a substance can be either consecrated for God's glory or profaned through human sin, leading to either blessing or severe consequence.
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