from a primitive root meaning to associate; companionship; hence (concretely) a comrade or kindred man; another, fellow, neighbour.
Transliteration:ʻâmîyth
Pronunciation:aw-meeth'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term H5997 (עָמִית, ʻâmîyth) derives from a primitive root signifying the act of "associating" or "coming together." As a noun, its primary meaning encompasses the concept of "companionship." From this abstract sense, it concretely denotes "a comrade," "a kindred man," or more broadly, "another" person with whom one shares a common bond, identity, or proximity. Its semantic range extends to "fellow" and "neighbor," particularly emphasizing a relationship within a defined community or shared social sphere. Unlike a mere acquaintance, H5997 often implies a shared status, heritage, or covenantal connection, highlighting mutual responsibility and relational obligation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term H5997 primarily appears in the Pentateuch, especially in the legal and ethical codes of Leviticus, and a few times in the prophetic books. Its usage consistently underscores the importance of righteous conduct within the Israelite community.
In Leviticus, H5997 frequently appears in contexts demanding justice, integrity, and truthfulness among fellow Israelites:
* [[Leviticus 6:2]] (MT 5:21) states, "If a person sins and commits a trespass against the Lord by dealing falsely with his neighbor (H5997) in a matter of deposit or security..." This verse explicitly links injustice against one's H5997 with a trespass against God, highlighting the sacred dimension of intra-community relations.
* [[Leviticus 19:15]] commands, "You shall do no injustice in judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor nor defer to the great, but in righteousness you shall judge your neighbor (H5997)." Here, H5997 refers to any fellow Israelite appearing before a judge, emphasizing impartial justice for all within the community.
* [[Leviticus 25:14]], [[Leviticus 25:15]], and [[Leviticus 25:17]] use H5997 in the context of buying and selling land, strictly prohibiting defrauding one's fellow Israelite. The repeated use reinforces the ethical framework for economic transactions within the covenant.
Beyond the Pentateuch, H5997 appears in Zechariah:
* [[Zechariah 8:16]] exhorts, "These are the things you shall do: Speak each man the truth to his neighbor (H5997); give judgment in your gates for truth and peace." This prophetic call for integrity and truth-telling among fellow citizens echoes the ethical demands found in the Law, applying them to the post-exilic community.
Across its occurrences, H5997 consistently points to individuals who are part of the same collective, whether by shared nationality, covenant, or community, and thus subject to specific ethical and legal duties towards one another.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field surrounding H5997 includes several terms for interpersonal relationships, each with nuanced distinctions:
* `{{H7453}}` (rea'): Often translated "friend" or "neighbor," this term can denote a broader range of associations, from intimate friendship to general acquaintance. While H5997 and `{{H7453}}` are sometimes used interchangeably in translation, H5997 tends to carry a stronger sense of "one's own kind" or "fellow member of the community," particularly in legal and ethical contexts where shared identity and mutual obligation are paramount. H5997 specifically highlights the shared status within the covenantal framework.
* `{{H251}}` ('ach): "Brother," indicating a familial or very close tribal bond. While a brother is certainly an H5997, the latter is a broader category encompassing any fellow Israelite.
* `{{H7934}}` (shachen): "Dweller" or "neighbor" in terms of physical proximity. This word focuses on geographical closeness, whereas H5997 emphasizes a shared social or covenantal identity.
Conceptually, H5997 is deeply intertwined with:
* **Covenant:** The relationship it describes is often framed within the covenant between God and Israel, where ethical treatment of H5997 is a direct reflection of faithfulness to God.
* **Justice (`{{H6664}}`, tsedeq):** Many occurrences are in legal contexts, underscoring the divine demand for equity and fairness among those who are "fellows."
* **Truth (`{{H571}}`, emeth):** The call to speak truth to one's H5997 highlights the foundational role of honesty in communal life.
* **Community:** H5997 fundamentally defines the internal dynamics and responsibilities within the collective body of Israel.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H5997 is profound, particularly in shaping the ethical landscape of the Old Testament. It underscores the divine expectation for how members of God's covenant community are to interact with one another.
Firstly, the concept embedded in H5997 elevates the treatment of one's fellow Israelite to a matter of divine concern. Injustice or falsehood directed towards one's H5997 is not merely a social transgression but a "trespass against the Lord" ([[Leviticus 6:2]]). This establishes a direct link between horizontal human relationships and vertical relationship with God, suggesting that one's integrity within the community is a barometer of one's faithfulness to the covenant.
Secondly, H5997 defines the scope of specific ethical commands. The prohibitions against defrauding, bearing false witness, or judging unjustly are explicitly applied to one's "fellow" or "neighbor," emphasizing the internal solidarity and mutual accountability required within the chosen people. This forms a foundational ethic of communal responsibility, where the well-being and rights of each member are to be upheld by all others.
Finally, while the famous command to "love your neighbor as yourself" ([[Leviticus 19:18]]) uses `{{H7453}}` (rea'), the ethical precepts surrounding H5997 provide the practical framework for such love. By demanding truth, justice, and fair dealing among "fellows," the Law cultivates the very conditions necessary for a community characterized by genuine care and righteous conduct. The integrity of the covenant community, and its witness to the surrounding nations, depended heavily on how its members treated their H5997.
### Summary
H5997 (עָמִית, ʻâmîyth) is a Hebrew term signifying "fellow," "comrade," or "neighbor," emphasizing a shared identity and association within a community. Its core meaning extends from companionship to the concrete reality of one's kindred or fellow human being. Predominantly found in the legal and ethical codes of the Pentateuch, H5997 is crucial for understanding the moral obligations within the Israelite covenant community. It consistently appears in contexts demanding justice, truthfulness, and integrity in dealings among Israelites, making injustice against one's H5997 a direct trespass against God. The term highlights the profound theological principle that how one treats a fellow member of the covenant community directly reflects one's faithfulness to God. H5997 thus serves as a foundational concept for a righteous society, underscoring mutual responsibility and the sacred nature of intra-communal relationships.
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