The Hebrew word chômesh, represented by H2570, refers to the abdomen or fifth rib. According to its base definition, it comes from an unused root word likely meaning to be stout. It is a rare term, appearing only 4 times in 4 unique verses, exclusively within narratives of lethal violence.
In the biblical narrative, H2570 consistently designates the target area for a fatal blow. All occurrences are found in the book of 2 Samuel, marking moments of betrayal, revenge, and political assassination. Abner strikes Asahel under the fifth rib, killing him 2 Samuel 2:23. In an act of revenge, Joab strikes Abner in the very same spot 2 Samuel 3:27. Later, Rechab and Baanah assassinate Ish-bosheth by striking him under the fifth rib 2 Samuel 4:6. Finally, Joab deceptively kills Amasa with a sword to the fifth rib, causing his bowels to spill out 2 Samuel 20:10.
Several related words illuminate the context of these violent acts:
- H5221 nâkâh (to strike): This primitive root means to strike, kill, or smite. It is the verb used in all four instances to describe the action taken against the fifth rib H2570, signifying a deliberate and deadly attack 2 Samuel 3:27.
- H4191 mûwth (to die): This word means to die or be put to death. It is the immediate and inevitable consequence of being smitten in the fifth rib in the provided accounts, as seen when Abner smote Asahel and he died H4191 in that place 2 Samuel 2:23.
- H4578 mêʻeh (bowels): Defined as the intestines or abdomen, this word is anatomically linked to H2570. The strike to the fifth rib is shown to be a disemboweling wound when Joab smote Amasa and "shed out his bowels to the ground" 2 Samuel 20:10.
- H1818 dâm (blood): This word for blood is often connected to bloodshed and guilt. The killing of Abner was motivated by revenge "for the blood of Asahel his brother" 2 Samuel 3:27, linking the physical act to the concept of bloodguilt.
The theological and narrative weight of H2570 is tied to its role in depicting the finality of human violence and betrayal.
- A Symbol of Lethal Vulnerability: A strike to the fifth rib is portrayed as unequivocally fatal. It is a place of vulnerability where a single blow results in certain death H4191, highlighting the brutal efficiency of the violence described 2 Samuel 20:10.
- The Nexus of Betrayal: The attacks targeting this area are often marked by deception. Joab lures Abner aside "to speak with him quietly" before striking him 2 Samuel 3:27, making the fifth rib the focal point of a treacherous act.
- The Cycle of Retribution: The use of H2570 is directly tied to the theme of retribution. Joab's attack on Abner under the fifth rib mirrors Abner's earlier killing of Asahel, and is explicitly done "for the blood H1818 of Asahel" 2 Samuel 3:27.
In summary, H2570 is more than a simple anatomical reference. While it literally means fifth rib or abdomen, its four appearances in Scripture embed it within a specific and severe context. It functions as a narrative marker for a fatal wound, consistently associated with betrayal, assassination, and the brutal consequences of cycles of revenge. The word powerfully illustrates how violence targets the vulnerable core of a person, leading to an immediate and irreversible end.
TRV