### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic word **chămar**, represented by `{{H2562}}`, is the term for **wine**. It appears 6 times across 6 unique verses in the Bible. Its use in scripture highlights a stark contrast, appearing both as a provision for sacred worship and as an instrument of profane celebration and sacrilege.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The biblical usage of `{{H2562}}` is split between two distinct contexts. In the book of Ezra, **wine** is listed as a necessary supply for the priests in Jerusalem, provided for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven [[Ezra 6:9]]. It is specified as part of a royal decree to support the temple, with a provision of "an hundred baths of **wine**" [[Ezra 7:22]]. Conversely, in the book of Daniel, **wine** is central to Belshazzar's great feast [[Daniel 5:1]]. The king commanded that **wine** be drunk from the sacred temple vessels, an act of defiance that included his lords, wives, and concubines [[Daniel 5:2]]. This consumption of **wine** was directly linked to the praise of false gods of gold, silver, and stone ([[Daniel 5:4]], [[Daniel 5:23]]).
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help clarify the context of **chămar**:
* `{{H8355}}` **shᵉthâh** (to imbibe (literally or figuratively); drink): This Aramaic verb is consistently paired with `{{H2562}}` in the Daniel narrative. It describes the action of Belshazzar and his court as they **drank** **wine** from the holy vessels in an act of desecration [[Daniel 5:4]].
* `{{H4887}}` **mᵉshach** (oil): This term appears alongside **wine** in the decrees found in Ezra. Both **wine** and **oil** are listed as essential provisions for the priests and the services at the temple in Jerusalem, highlighting their role as sanctioned commodities for worship ([[Ezra 6:9]], [[Ezra 7:22]]).
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H2562}}` is demonstrated through its opposing roles.
* **Sacred Provision:** In Ezra, **wine** is shown to be a legitimate and required element for the worship of God, supplied for the burnt offerings according to the appointment of the priests [[Ezra 6:9]]. It functions as a state-sanctioned supply for maintaining proper religious observance.
* **Instrument of Profanity:** In Daniel, the act of drinking **wine** from the temple vessels is a pivotal part of Belshazzar's sin. This use of **wine** is explicitly tied to idolatry, as they "drank **wine**, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver" [[Daniel 5:4]]. It symbolizes a deliberate act of lifting oneself up against the Lord of heaven [[Daniel 5:23]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H2562}}` provides a powerful illustration of how an object's purpose is defined by its use. While the Aramaic term simply means **wine**, its biblical occurrences sharply contrast its function as a consecrated item for the worship of God in Ezra with its role as a tool for idolatry and sacrilege in the story of Belshazzar. The usage of **chămar** underscores the critical distinction between the holy and the profane.
TRV