### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term חֹמֶשׁ (chômesh, `{{H2569}}`) derives directly from the root חָמַשׁ (chamash, `{{H2567}}`), which signifies "to be five" or "to divide into five parts." As a noun, חֹמֶשׁ specifically denotes "a fifth part" or "one-fifth." Its semantic range is primarily restricted to this precise numerical proportion, almost exclusively appearing in contexts related to a tax, tribute, or an additional surcharge. It represents a fixed percentage, namely twenty percent, of a whole. This numerical precision is crucial to its meaning, distinguishing it from general concepts of offering or payment.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term חֹמֶשׁ (chômesh, `{{H2569}}`) appears seven times in the Hebrew Bible, consistently carrying its meaning of "a fifth part." Its occurrences can be broadly categorized into two primary contexts:
1. **State Taxation (Genesis):**
* In [[Genesis 47:24]] and [[Genesis 47:26]], חֹמֶשׁ refers to the "fifth part" of the produce of the land that Joseph instituted as a tax for Pharaoh in Egypt. This policy, established after the seven years of famine, ensured the economic stability of the state by requiring that twenty percent of all agricultural yield be given to Pharaoh. This was a permanent statute, reflecting a pragmatic and provident administrative measure designed to secure resources for the government and, by extension, the welfare of the people. It demonstrates a system of centralized resource management during a time of crisis and beyond.
2. **Cultic/Legal Surcharge (Leviticus & Numbers):**
* In [[Leviticus 27:15]], [[Leviticus 27:19]], and [[Leviticus 27:31]], חֹמֶשׁ is the "fifth part" that must be added to the assessed value when a person wishes to redeem property (a house or a field) that they had consecrated to the Lord. This additional fifth serves as a surcharge or penalty, emphasizing the sacredness of what was dedicated and the cost associated with reclaiming it for common use. It discourages rash vows and underscores the principle that what is given to God is not to be lightly taken back.
* In [[Numbers 5:7]], חֹמֶשׁ is again an "additional fifth" required in cases of trespass against another person, specifically when restitution is being made. The one who has committed the trespass must not only restore the principal amount but also add a fifth part to it, giving it to the one wronged. This provision ensures full and complete restitution, serving as a punitive measure that reinforces the seriousness of the offense and the necessity of making amends beyond mere compensation. It elevates the act of repentance by making it costly.
In both contexts, the "fifth" is a precise and significant proportion, demonstrating principles of order, accountability, and the seriousness of obligations, whether to the state or in matters of sacred law and interpersonal justice.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related words to חֹמֶשׁ (chômesh, `{{H2569}}`) are those from its immediate root and numerical family:
* **חָמַשׁ** (chamash, `{{H2567}}`): The verbal root meaning "to be five" or "to arm oneself" (perhaps related to being one of five in a military unit, or a five-part division).
* **חָמֵשׁ** (chamesh, `{{H2572}}`): The cardinal number "five."
* **חֲמִשִּׁי** (chamishshi, `{{H2568}}`): The ordinal number "fifth."
Beyond the direct linguistic family, חֹמֶשׁ connects to broader biblical concepts:
* **Taxation and Tribute:** Concepts like מַס (mas, forced labor/tribute), מִנְחָה (minchah, offering/tribute), and מֶכֶס (mekhes, tax/tribute) represent the general idea of obligatory payments. While חֹמֶשׁ specifies a *proportion*, these terms describe the *nature* of the payment.
* **Redemption and Restitution:** The concept of גָּאַל (ga'al, to redeem) and שָׁלַם (shalam, to make whole, repay) are central to the cultic and legal contexts where the "fifth" is added. חֹמֶשׁ adds a specific numerical requirement to these acts.
* **Tithing:** While חֹמֶשׁ is a fifth (20%), the concept of מַעֲשֵׂר (ma'aser, a tenth, `{{H4643}}`) is another prominent biblical proportion for offerings and taxes. Both demonstrate the principle of giving a fixed percentage, but חֹמֶשׁ represents a significantly larger proportion, often tied to specific, more stringent obligations or penalties.
### Theological Significance
The precise and recurring use of חֹמֶשׁ (chômesh, `{{H2569}}`) carries significant theological weight:
1. **Divine Providence and Order:** Joseph's implementation of the "fifth" tax in Egypt, though a human policy, is presented within the broader narrative of God's providential care for His people and the nations. The collection of a fifth part of the harvest ensured the state's ability to store grain and distribute it during the famine, thereby saving lives. This highlights God's working through human systems to bring about His purposes, emphasizing wise stewardship and orderly governance as reflections of divine order.
2. **Justice, Restitution, and Atonement:** In the legal and cultic contexts, the addition of a "fifth" goes beyond mere compensation. It underscores the seriousness of sin and the necessity of complete and costly restitution. For consecrated items, it highlights the sanctity of what belongs to God; reclaiming it requires an acknowledgment of its sacred status through an added cost. For trespasses against one's neighbor, it ensures that the act of repentance is not merely transactional but involves a tangible penalty that reinforces the gravity of the offense and encourages true reconciliation. This "fifth" makes the act of making amends more burdensome, thereby deepening the sense of accountability and the desire to avoid future transgressions. It signifies a premium placed on integrity and the restoration of relationships.
3. **Holiness and Consecration:** The requirement to add a fifth when redeeming consecrated property underscores the principle that what has been dedicated to the Lord is set apart and possesses a unique holiness. This surcharge serves as a deterrent against treating sacred vows lightly and reinforces the distinction between the holy and the common. It teaches reverence for God's claims.
In essence, חֹמֶשׁ speaks to a divine economy where precise numerical obligations are tied to principles of justice, holiness, and the orderly administration of both human and sacred affairs. It reflects a God who demands not just compliance, but a full and often costly commitment to righteousness and restoration.
### Summary
The Hebrew word חֹמֶשׁ (chômesh, `{{H2569}}`) precisely denotes "a fifth part" or "one-fifth." Its usage in the biblical text falls into two main categories: a state tax on agricultural produce, as implemented by Joseph in Egypt ([[Genesis 47:24]], [[Genesis 47:26]]), and an additional surcharge required for the redemption of consecrated property ([[Leviticus 27:15]], [[Leviticus 27:19]], [[Leviticus 27:31]]) or for making restitution for trespasses ([[Numbers 5:7]]). Theologically, חֹמֶשׁ underscores principles of divine providence and wise stewardship in governance, as well as the profound biblical emphasis on justice, complete restitution, and the sanctity of consecrated things. The addition of this "fifth" makes acts of repentance and redemption costly, thereby reinforcing the seriousness of sin, the value of holiness, and the necessity of full and meaningful reconciliation.
TRV