### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word *chuphshâh* (`{{H2668}}`) is derived from the verb *chaphash* (`{{H2658}}`), which primarily means "to search," "to examine," or "to investigate." However, in its nominal form as *chuphshâh*, the meaning shifts specifically to "liberty" or "freedom," with a strong emphasis on emancipation from slavery or servitude. It denotes the legal and social status of an individual who has been released from bondage, contrasting sharply with the state of being enslaved. Its semantic range is precise, focusing on the act or state of being set free from a condition of servitude, rather than a general philosophical concept of freedom.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term *chuphshâh* (`{{H2668}}`) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible:
* **[[Leviticus 19:20]]**: "And if a man lies carnally with a woman who is a female slave, betrothed to a husband, but not yet ransomed or given her freedom (*chuphshâh*), there shall be an inquiry; they shall not be put to death, because she was not free."
* In this unique occurrence, *chuphshâh* is used to describe the legal status of a female slave (*'amah*, `{{H519}}`) who is betrothed but has not yet been "ransomed" (פָּדָה, *padah*, `{{H6299}}`) or "given her freedom" (*chuphshâh*). The passage details a specific legal scenario concerning sexual misconduct. The fact that the woman is "not free" (לֹא חֻפְשָׁה) is the crucial factor that mitigates the penalty for the man involved from capital punishment to a lesser inquiry and restitution. This highlights that *chuphshâh* represents a definitive legal status, the absence of which has direct consequences under Mosaic Law. It underscores the Torah's intricate legal framework, which differentiated between various degrees of servitude and freedom, even for those within the system of slavery.
### Related Words & Concepts
* ***chaphash* (`{{H2658}}`):** The root verb, meaning "to search," "to examine," or "to set free." The connection between "searching" and "freedom" in this root may imply that freedom is a state achieved through careful discernment or a deliberate act of seeking out and releasing.
* ***d'rôr* (`{{H1865}}`):** Also translated as "liberty," but typically in a broader, more programmatic sense, especially associated with the Year of Jubilee (e.g., [[Leviticus 25:10]], [[Jeremiah 34:8]], [[Isaiah 61:1]]). While both *chuphshâh* and *d'rôr* convey freedom, *d'rôr* often refers to a divinely ordained, societal-wide release from debt and servitude, whereas *chuphshâh* is more focused on the individual's legal status of being unenslaved.
* ***padah* (`{{H6299}}`) / *ga'al* (`{{H1350}}`):** Verbs meaning "to redeem" or "to ransom." These actions are often the means by which *chuphshâh* is achieved. As seen in [[Leviticus 19:20]], the slave woman had not yet been "ransomed" (*padah*) or "given her freedom" (*chuphshâh*), indicating that *chuphshâh* is the desired outcome of redemption.
* **Slavery/Servitude (e.g., *'eved* `{{H5650}}`, *'amah* `{{H519}}`):** The concept of *chuphshâh* is fundamentally defined by its opposition to slavery. It represents the state of being *not* a slave, underscoring the stark contrast between bondage and liberty in ancient Israelite society.
### Theological Significance
Despite its singular occurrence, *chuphshâh* (`{{H2668}}`) carries significant theological weight within the broader biblical narrative. The very existence of a term for "freedom from slavery" within the Mosaic Law reflects a divine concern for human dignity and justice, even within the regulated institution of ancient slavery.
* **Divine Liberation as Paradigm:** Israel's foundational narrative is one of liberation from Egyptian bondage (e.g., [[Exodus 20:2]]). This historical experience profoundly shaped their understanding of God as the ultimate deliverer and informed their legal and ethical standards regarding freedom and servitude. While *chuphshâh* addresses a specific legal status, it resonates with this overarching theme of divine liberation.
* **Nuance in Justice:** The passage in [[Leviticus 19:20]] demonstrates the meticulous and nuanced nature of God's law. The legal consequences for a transgression are directly tied to the victim's precise legal status—whether she possesses *chuphshâh* or not. This highlights a divine concern for exact justice and the careful consideration of an individual's standing within the community, even for those in vulnerable positions.
* **Value of Emancipation:** The inclusion of provisions for emancipation and the clear legal distinction of "freedom" (as represented by *chuphshâh*) underscores the biblical value placed on human liberty. While slavery was permitted under specific regulations, the Law provided pathways out of it and sought to mitigate its harshness, reflecting a divine inclination towards freedom as a preferred state for humanity.
### Summary
The Hebrew word *chuphshâh* (`{{H2668}}`) denotes "liberty" or "freedom," specifically in the context of emancipation from slavery. Its sole appearance in [[Leviticus 19:20]] is highly illustrative, where the absence of *chuphshâh* for a betrothed female slave directly impacts the legal ramifications of a transgression. This highlights the term's precise legal significance within the Mosaic Law, underscoring the meticulous attention to individual status and justice. While distinct from the broader concept of "liberty" found in *d'rôr* (`{{H1865}}`), *chuphshâh* nevertheless reflects the profound biblical value of human dignity and liberation, rooted in Israel's foundational experience of being set free by God from Egyptian bondage. It serves as a testament to the divine concern for the nuanced realities of human freedom and accountability within God's righteous legal framework.
TRV