masculine חֲמִשָּׁה; a primitive numeral; five; fif(-teen), fifth, five ([idiom] apiece).
Transliteration:châmêsh
Pronunciation:khaw-maysh'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word חָמֵשׁ (châmêsh), Strong's `{{H2568}}`, functions primarily as a primitive cardinal numeral denoting "five." Its base definition indicates a straightforward quantitative meaning. The entry notes its masculine form, חֲמִשָּׁה (chamishshah), indicating that the form חָמֵשׁ is often used for feminine nouns or as a general numeral. Beyond the simple count, it forms the root for related numerical concepts, such as "fifteen" (e.g., חֲמִשָּׁה עָשָׂר, literally "five and ten") and the ordinal "fifth" (חֲמִישִׁי, `{{H2570}}`). The definition also highlights an idiomatic usage, "five (apiece)," suggesting a distributive application where five units are allotted to each member of a group.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The number five appears frequently throughout the Old Testament, primarily serving as a precise quantifier, but often in contexts that imbue it with deeper significance.
* **Quantification:** Most commonly, חָמֵשׁ simply enumerates objects, people, or periods. Examples include the five cities of the plain ([[Genesis 14:8]]), Jacob sending five of his brothers to Joseph ([[Genesis 45:22]]), and David choosing five smooth stones to face Goliath ([[1 Samuel 17:40]]). These instances underscore its fundamental role in providing specific numerical detail.
* **Law and Ritual:** The number five holds particular prominence in the Mosaic Law and the design of the Tabernacle, suggesting a deliberate divine pattern.
* The Tabernacle's construction frequently incorporates "five": the altar of burnt offering was five cubits long and five cubits wide ([[Exodus 27:1]]), the Tabernacle curtains were joined in sets of five ([[Exodus 26:3]]), and the entrance to the Tent of Meeting had five pillars ([[Exodus 26:37]]). This recurring numerical pattern points to divine precision and order in the sacred space.
* The Pentateuch, foundational to Israelite faith, comprises five books (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy), often referred to as the Torah or the "Five Books of Moses."
* While not explicitly stated as "five offerings," the first five chapters of Leviticus detail five primary types of sacrifices (burnt, grain, peace, sin, and guilt offerings), which were central to Israel's worship and atonement system.
* **Proportion and Completeness:** As half of ten, five can sometimes denote a partial measure or, in specific contexts, a complete, manageable unit. Its frequent pairing with ten (e.g., in numbers like fifteen or fifty, `{{H2572}}`) suggests a relationship of foundational units.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **Other Numerals:**
* `{{H6240}}` (עֶשֶׂר - 'eser): Ten, as five is half of ten, often appearing in conjunction or as a foundational unit for larger numbers (e.g., fifteen).
* `{{H2572}}` (חֲמִשִּׁים - chamishshim): Fifty, a significant multiple of five and ten, notably in the context of the Year of Jubilee.
* `{{H2570}}` (חֲמִישִׁי - chamishi): Fifth, the ordinal form of five, used for sequence or order.
* **Numerical Patterns in Scripture:** The study of biblical numerology often examines the recurrence of numbers like five. While not a direct "related word," the concept of numerical patterns is crucial for understanding the potential symbolic or theological weight attached to חָמֵשׁ. The consistent appearance of five in sacred dimensions and foundational texts invites deeper reflection on divine design.
* **Biblical Law and Architecture:** The significance of "five" in the Tabernacle's design and the structure of the Pentateuch highlights its deep connection to divine revelation, the blueprint for worship, and the establishment of the covenant community.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of חָמֵשׁ (châmêsh) is primarily derived from its contextual usage, particularly its prominent role in divine instructions and sacred structures, rather than an inherent symbolic meaning within the word itself.
* **Divine Order and Precision:** The meticulous use of "five" in the Tabernacle's dimensions and components (e.g., [[Exodus 26:3, 26:37, 27:1]]) strongly suggests a deliberate divine blueprint. This points to God's meticulousness, His precise design for worship, and the exact nature of His commands for atonement and fellowship. The five books of the Torah similarly represent the foundational, divinely ordained law given to Israel, establishing the framework for their relationship with God.
* **Divine Provision and Grace:** While not explicitly stated as symbolic of "grace," the five major offerings detailed in Leviticus provide the means for atonement and maintaining covenant fellowship with God. This system, divinely instituted, underscores God's gracious provision for dealing with human sin and allowing access to His presence. The New Testament account of the five loaves feeding thousands, while using a Greek term for "five," draws on this conceptual link of limited human resources multiplied by divine power and provision.
* **Human Capacity and Responsibility:** The number five, often associated with the five fingers on a hand or the five senses, can subtly underscore human capacity for action, perception, and responsibility within God's plan. David's choice of five smooth stones ([[1 Samuel 17:40]]) against Goliath exemplifies human agency and faith operating within divine enablement.
### Summary
The Hebrew word חָמֵשׁ (châmêsh), Strong's `{{H2568}}`, fundamentally denotes the cardinal number "five." While its primary function in the Hebrew Bible is quantitative, its recurring presence in specific, highly significant contexts imbues it with a deeper theological resonance. Most notably, its consistent appearance in the divine specifications for the Tabernacle's construction and the foundational structure of the Mosaic Law (the five books of the Torah and the five primary offerings) points to God's meticulous order, precise design, and gracious provision within His covenant relationship with humanity. Thus, while not inherently symbolic in its lexical definition, the contextual usage of חָמֵשׁ underscores themes of divine instruction, human responsibility, and the structured, deliberate nature of God's interaction with His creation.
TRV