### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **çam**, represented by `{{H5561}}`, refers to a **sweet spice** or an **aroma**. It appears 17 times across 15 verses in the Bible. Derived from a root meaning "to smell sweet," this term is almost exclusively used to describe a key ingredient in the sacred incense prepared for worship in the tabernacle and temple.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In biblical contexts, `{{H5561}}` is consistently linked to the holy rituals of Israel. It is a primary component of the "sweet incense" (`{{H7004}}`) that was to be burned daily on a dedicated altar [[Exodus 30:7]]. God gave Moses a specific recipe for this incense, commanding him to take "**sweet spices**" along with stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense [[Exodus 30:34]]. This mixture was considered so holy that it was prepared by an apothecary and was part of the priest's duties, such as when Aaron was to bring a censer full of "**sweet** incense" within the vail [[Leviticus 16:12]]. The term is also used to identify the "altar of **sweet** incense," a central fixture in the tabernacle [[Leviticus 4:7]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words provide a fuller picture of the aromatic substances used in worship:
* `{{H7004}}` **qᵉṭôreth** (incense): This word is almost always found alongside **çam** and refers to the incense itself, which was burned as a form of fumigation. It could be seen as an abomination when offered improperly [[Isaiah 1:13]] but was a key part of priestly duties [[1 Chronicles 6:49]].
* `{{H6999}}` **qâṭar** (to burn incense): This primitive root describes the act of turning a substance into fragrance by fire as an act of worship. It was commanded for priests like Aaron to **burn incense** before the Lord [[1 Chronicles 23:13]], but it was also wrongly used to worship false gods [[Jeremiah 7:9]].
* `{{H3828}}` **lᵉbôwnâh** (frankincense): A specific ingredient in the holy incense [[Exodus 30:34]], frankincense was a valuable aromatic substance often paired with offerings and sacrifices [[Leviticus 2:1]].
* `{{H1314}}` **besem** (spice): A more general term for spicery or fragrance. Unlike **çam**, which is reserved for sacred incense, **besem** can refer to valuable gifts of **spices** [[2 Chronicles 9:1]] or pleasant scents in a garden [[Song of Solomon 4:16]].
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H5561}}` is rooted in its exclusive and mandated use in approaching God.
* **Prescribed Worship:** The use of **çam** was not a human invention but a divine command. It was a component of the "**sweet** incense for the holy place," which was to be made exactly "according to all that I have commanded thee" [[Exodus 31:11]].
* **Sacred Consecration:** As an ingredient in the "pure incense of **sweet spices**," it was created alongside the holy anointing oil (`{{H4888}}`) [[Exodus 37:29]]. It was listed among the sacred furnishings of the tabernacle, highlighting its role in consecrating the space for God's presence [[Exodus 35:15]].
* **Atonement and Access:** The altar of **sweet** incense, where this aroma was offered, was where the priest placed the blood of the sin offering [[Leviticus 4:7]]. This links the pleasing aroma directly to the rites of atonement necessary for fellowship with God.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H5561}}` is not merely a generic term for a spice but a specific, sacred substance. Its meaning is inseparable from the "sweet incense" commanded by God for tabernacle worship. It represents the divinely specified "aroma" that was to accompany prayers and sacrifices, symbolizing a pleasing and acceptable offering in the holy presence of the Lord. Its use underscores the detailed and holy nature of the worship God required of His people.
TRV