from the same as חוֹמָה; a skin bottle (as tied up); bottle.
Transliteration:chêmeth
Pronunciation:klay'-meth
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma חֵמֶת (chêmeth, `{{H2573}}`) refers primarily to a "skin bottle" or simply "bottle." Its etymological root is linked to חוֹמָה (chômâh, `{{H2346}}`), meaning "wall," which suggests a connection to something "tied up" or "bound," reflecting the method of constructing and sealing these ancient containers. Typically fashioned from the tanned skins of animals like goats or sheep, these bottles were essential for storing and transporting liquids such as water or wine. The semantic range of חֵמֶת is relatively narrow, consistently denoting this specific type of container. The "tied up" aspect refers to the neck of the bottle being sealed, often with a thong or stopper, to prevent spillage.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word חֵמֶת appears a limited number of times in the Old Testament, but each instance provides significant contextual insight:
* **Provision and Scarcity:** In the narrative of Hagar and Ishmael, Abraham gives Hagar "bread and a bottle of water" (חֵמֶת מַיִם) when he sends them away into the wilderness [[Genesis 21:14]]. The subsequent verse notes that "the water in the bottle was spent" (כָּלָה הַמַּיִם מִן־הַחֵמֶת), leading to a desperate situation and God's miraculous intervention [[Genesis 21:15]]. Here, the חֵמֶת is a symbol of essential, yet finite, provision in a harsh environment.
* **Deception:** The Gibeonites famously use "old wine bottles, torn and mended" (חֵמְתֵי יַיִן בָּלוֹת וּמְבֻקָּעוֹת וּמְצֻדָּקִים) to deceive Joshua and the Israelites into believing they had come from a distant land [[Joshua 9:4]], a detail reiterated in [[Joshua 9:13]]. This usage highlights how an everyday item could be manipulated to create a false impression.
* **Hospitality and Treachery:** Jael offers Sisera milk from a "bottle" (חֵמֶת) as an act of hospitality, which precedes her fatal blow [[Judges 4:19]]. This instance underscores the dual nature of the object in human interactions – a vessel for sustenance that can also be part of a deceptive plot.
* **Gift-Giving:** Jesse sends Saul a "bottle of wine" (חֵמֶת יָיִן) along with other provisions [[1 Samuel 16:20]], illustrating its common use as a practical and appropriate gift.
* **Metaphorical Use:** Perhaps the most profound occurrence is in Psalm 56:8, where the psalmist cries out to God, "You have put my tears into Your bottle" (שִׂימָה דִמְעָתִי בְנֹאדֶךָ). While some translations use "bottle," the Septuagint and some Hebrew manuscripts use חֵמֶת here, or a closely related term נֹאדֶךָ (nō'dekā) which also means "skin bottle." This powerful anthropomorphism depicts God as meticulously collecting and remembering every sorrowful tear, transforming a mundane object into a symbol of divine empathy and remembrance.
### Related Words & Concepts
While חֵמֶת specifically denotes a skin bottle, several related Hebrew terms refer to various containers, each with subtle distinctions:
* נֵבֶל (nêḇel, `{{H5035}}`): Also meaning "skin bottle" or "jar," often used interchangeably with חֵמֶת or in similar contexts (e.g., [[1 Samuel 1:24]] refers to a נֵבֶל of wine).
* כַּד (kad, `{{H3537}}`): Refers to a "jar" or "pitcher," typically made of pottery, distinguishing it from the skin bottles.
* בַּקְבּוּק (baqbuq, `{{H1228}}`): A "bottle," specifically a ceramic flask, as seen in [[Jeremiah 19:1]].
Concepts associated with חֵמֶת include:
* **Provisions and Survival:** Essential for journeys and life in arid regions.
* **Fragility and Durability:** While skin bottles were durable for travel, they were susceptible to aging and bursting, as implied by the "new wine in old wineskins" proverb (though חֵמֶת is not explicitly used in that saying, the principle applies).
* **Deception and Appearances:** Its use by the Gibeonites and Jael highlights how ordinary objects can be employed in strategic human schemes.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of חֵמֶת extends beyond its utilitarian function.
* **Divine Providence:** The narrative of Hagar and Ishmael underscores God's ultimate provision. When the חֵמֶת of water is empty, signifying the end of human resources, God intervenes to save them, demonstrating His sovereignty over life and death in the wilderness.
* **God's Intimate Remembrance of Suffering:** The metaphorical use in Psalm 56:8 is profoundly moving. The image of God collecting tears in a חֵמֶת conveys an unparalleled level of divine empathy and attentiveness to human pain. It assures the suffering individual that their sorrows are not overlooked but are meticulously noted and remembered by a compassionate God. This transforms the humble skin bottle into a symbol of God's personal, enduring care for His people.
* **Human Frailty and Deception:** The use of חֵמֶת in the Gibeonite narrative and by Jael serves as a subtle reminder of the human capacity for cunning and deception, even through the manipulation of common, innocent objects.
### Summary
The Hebrew word חֵמֶת (chêmeth, `{{H2573}}`) denotes a "skin bottle," an indispensable container in the ancient world for carrying water or wine. Its biblical occurrences consistently portray it as a practical item, whether for survival provisions, gifts, or even as an instrument in human deception. However, the most profound theological insight into חֵמֶת is found in Psalm 56:8, where it serves as a powerful metaphor for God's meticulous collection and remembrance of human tears. This transforms the simple skin bottle from a mundane object of daily use into a sacred emblem of God's intimate knowledge, profound empathy, and unwavering compassion for His suffering children.
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