The Hebrew word chămishshîym, represented by H2572, is the numeral for fifty. It is defined as a multiple of H2568 châmêsh, or five. This number appears 162 times across 141 unique verses, where it is used to quantify people, time, measurements, and currency, establishing order in civil, military, and sacred contexts.
The construction of H2572 as a plural form of the cardinal "fifty" highlights its role not merely as a quantity but often as a marker of a complete or significant grouping. While H2568 châmêsh (five) forms its base, the multiplication to fifty frequently denotes a substantial, yet manageable, unit for administration, measurement, or a period of time. This makes H2572 a number that balances large-scale organization with practical application, serving as a significant interval or threshold in various contexts.
In biblical narratives, H2572 is used in several significant ways. It establishes administrative and military structure, as seen in the appointment of "rulers of fifties" to govern the people Exodus 18:21. It is central to the account of Elijah, who called down fire from heaven to consume two captains and their "fifty" men 2 Kings 1:10. The number also defines important measurements, such as the "fifty cubits" height of the gallows Haman prepared for Mordecai Esther 5:14 and the "fifty shekels" weight of the wedge of gold Achan coveted Joshua 7:21. Furthermore, it marks the duration of sacred service for the Levites, who were to work in the tabernacle until they were "fifty years old" Numbers 4:3.
H2572 frequently appears in the meticulous enumeration of Israelite tribes and clans, particularly in the books of Numbers and Ezra-Nehemiah, where it contributes to precise demographic records, such as the fifty-nine thousand three hundred men of Simeon Numbers 1:23 or the total of six hundred thousand three thousand five hundred and fifty men numbered for military service Numbers 1:46. Beyond population, the number is crucial in establishing precise architectural dimensions for sacred and royal structures. Noah's ark, for instance, was specified with a breadth of "fifty cubits" Genesis 6:15. Similarly, the intricate plans for the tabernacle court mandated specific lengths and breadths of "fifty cubits" for its hangings and overall dimensions Exodus 27:12, Exodus 27:18. This precision extends to Solomon's temple and the visionary temple in Ezekiel, where "the length thereof was fifty cubits" for various gates and chambers Ezekiel 40:21.
In matters of finance and social law, chămishshîym denotes significant values, such as the "fifty shekels of silver" paid by David for Araunah's threshingfloor and oxen 2 Samuel 24:24, or the penalty of "fifty shekels of silver" for a man who violates an unbetrothed virgin Deuteronomy 22:29. It also quantifies military strength, as seen in Absalom's retinue of "fifty men to run before him" 2 Samuel 15:1, or the reduced cavalry of Jehoahaz, left with only "fifty horsemen" after Syrian depredations 2 Kings 13:7. These varied contexts underscore its pervasive function in establishing order, value, and capacity within ancient Israelite society.
Several related numbers provide a framework for understanding the scale and organization described in scripture:
- H2568 châmêsh (five): The primitive numeral from which fifty is derived.
- H6235 ʻeser (ten): This numeral often appears alongside fifty in organizational structures, such as "captains over fifties, and captains over tens" Deuteronomy 1:15.
- H3967 mêʼâh (hundred): This term is frequently used in parallel with fifty to structure the people of Israel under rulers Exodus 18:25.
- H505 ʼeleph (thousand): This represents the largest unit in the administrative hierarchy that also includes rulers of fifties 1 Samuel 8:12.
- H2549 chămîyshîy (fiftieth): This ordinal form specifies the position in a sequence, often used interchangeably with chămishshîym when denoting the fiftieth item or year, such as the significant Year of Jubilee.
The theological weight of H2572 is particularly evident in its application to sacred time and divine action.
- The Year of Jubilee: The fiftieth year was to be hallowed as a time to "proclaim liberty throughout all the land," signifying ultimate restoration and return to one's family and possessions Leviticus 25:10.
- Sacred Service and Valuation: The number sets the upper age limit for Levites serving in the tabernacle Numbers 4:3. It also serves as a standard for valuation, such as the "fifty shekels of silver" for a male dedicated to the LORD Leviticus 27:3.
- Divine Judgment and Power: It appears in dramatic accounts of God's power, including the fire from heaven that consumed the king's soldiers sent to Elijah 2 Kings 1:10 and the fire that devoured the men in Korah's rebellion Numbers 26:10.
- Structure and Provision: The number is used to organize people for governance Deuteronomy 1:15 and to describe God's provision, as when Obadiah hid and fed the LORD's prophets by "fifty in a cave" 1 Kings 18:4.
- Consequences of Profaning the Sacred: The number fifty also marks instances of severe divine judgment when the sacred is profaned. The LORD smote "fifty thousand and threescore and ten men" of Bethshemesh for looking into the ark of the LORD, demonstrating the extreme holiness of divine objects and the strict requirements for their handling 1 Samuel 6:19. This underscores the serious consequences of disobedience and disrespect towards God's commands regarding the holy.
- Intercession and Divine Mercy: In Abraham's intercession for Sodom, the initial plea is for the city to be spared if "fifty righteous" are found within it Genesis 18:24. This narrative highlights God's willingness to listen to intercession and His profound mercy, even in the face of impending judgment, demonstrating that the presence of a significant number of righteous individuals can influence divine action.
The numeral H2572 chămishshîym serves as a profoundly versatile and significant quantity within the Hebrew Bible, extending far beyond simple enumeration. Derived from H2568 châmêsh (five), it functions as a critical unit for establishing order and structure across various facets of Israelite life, from the administrative hierarchy of "rulers of fifties" Exodus 18:21 to the precise demographic counts of tribes and clans, such as the fifty-nine thousand three hundred men of Simeon Numbers 1:23. It delineates crucial architectural dimensions for sacred spaces like the tabernacle and Noah's ark, ensuring adherence to divine specifications Exodus 27:18, Genesis 6:15.
Beyond its role in organization and measurement, chămishshîym marks pivotal temporal and monetary values. The fiftieth year of Jubilee, a cornerstone of Israelite social justice, mandates liberty and restoration Leviticus 25:10, while it also sets the age limit for Levites' tabernacle service Numbers 4:3. Financially, it quantifies significant transactions, from David's purchase of Araunah's threshingfloor for "fifty shekels of silver" 2 Samuel 24:24 to penalties in social law Deuteronomy 22:29.
Theologically, chămishshîym underpins dramatic narratives of divine power and judgment, as seen in the fire consuming Elijah's adversaries 2 Kings 1:10 and the catastrophic judgment upon those who profaned the Ark of the Covenant 1 Samuel 6:19. Yet, it equally highlights divine mercy, exemplified in Abraham's intercession for Sodom, where the prospect of finding "fifty righteous" could avert destruction Genesis 18:24. Thus, chămishshîym is not merely a numerical value but a rich symbol, articulating divine principles of order, justice, holiness, and grace throughout the biblical narrative.
TRV