from an unused root probably meaning to grind; flour; flour, meal.
Transliteration:qemach
Pronunciation:keh'-makh
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term קֶמַח (qemach, `{{H7058}}`) derives from an unused root that likely conveys the action of grinding. This etymological root directly informs its primary and almost exclusive meaning: "flour" or "meal." It refers to grain, typically wheat or barley, that has been finely ground, making it suitable for baking and other culinary uses. Unlike broader terms for grain, *qemach* specifically denotes the processed product, emphasizing its readiness for consumption or ritual application. Its semantic range is therefore quite narrow, consistently pointing to this fundamental staple.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term *qemach* appears frequently in the Hebrew Bible, primarily within contexts related to daily sustenance and, significantly, cultic ritual.
In the realm of daily life, *qemach* represents essential food provision. For instance, in times of famine, it is a precious commodity, as seen in the account of the widow of Zarephath, whose meager supply of "flour" and oil was miraculously sustained by God through Elijah ([[1 Kings 17:12]], [[1 Kings 17:14]], [[1 Kings 17:16]]). Similarly, Elisha uses flour to counteract the poison in a stew, demonstrating its capacity for life-giving transformation ([[2 Kings 4:41]]). These narratives underscore *qemach*'s role as a basic necessity and a medium through which divine provision and intervention are manifested.
The most pervasive use of *qemach* is within the sacrificial system, particularly in the description of grain offerings (*minchah*, `{{H4503}}`). The meticulous instructions in Leviticus frequently specify "fine flour" (סֹלֶת, *solet*, `{{H5560}}`) as the required ingredient for various offerings, including the regular grain offering ([[Leviticus 2:1]]), the sin offering for the poor ([[Leviticus 5:11]]), and the jealousy offering ([[Numbers 5:15]]). While *solet* denotes the highest quality, *qemach* can be used more broadly for meal. The inclusion of *qemach* in these rituals highlights its purity and value as an offering to Yahweh, symbolizing dedication, thanksgiving, and atonement for unintentional sins. Its presence in these sacred acts connects the mundane act of grinding grain to the profound act of worship and covenantal relationship.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of *qemach* is enriched by examining its relationship with other biblical terms and concepts:
* **Grain and its products:** *Qemach* is intrinsically linked to the raw materials from which it is derived, such as "grain" (*dagan*, `{{H1715}}`), "wheat" (*chittah*, `{{H2406}}`), and "barley" (*se'orah*, `{{H8184}}`). It represents the processed form of these agricultural staples.
* **Offerings:** The most significant conceptual link is to the "grain offering" (*minchah*, `{{H4503}}`), where *qemach* serves as the primary component. Other related terms include "drink offering" (*nesek*, `{{H5207}}`) which often accompanied grain offerings, and "incense" (*levonah*, `{{H3828}}`) and "oil" (*shemen*, `{{H8081}}`), which were frequently mixed with the flour in offerings.
* **Bread:** As flour is the main ingredient for "bread" (*lechem*, `{{H3899}}`), there is a direct conceptual connection to the ultimate product of baking, which serves as a fundamental symbol of sustenance and life.
* **Purity and Holiness:** Especially when "fine flour" (*solet*) is specified for offerings, *qemach* takes on connotations of purity and the quality deemed appropriate for divine worship.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of *qemach* extends beyond its literal meaning, touching upon several core biblical themes:
* **Divine Provision and Sustenance:** *Qemach* is a tangible symbol of God's faithful provision for His people. Its presence, whether in the daily diet or in miraculous multiplication, testifies to Yahweh as the sustainer of life ([[Psalm 104:14-15]]). The need for *qemach* underscores human dependence on God's blessing for the harvest and daily bread.
* **Sacrifice and Atonement:** In the sacrificial system, *qemach* in the form of grain offerings represents a bloodless offering, often associated with thanksgiving, dedication, and the atonement for certain unintentional sins. The "fine flour" requirement emphasizes the need for offerings of purity and excellence before a holy God. It signifies the worshiper's willingness to give of their livelihood, acknowledging God's ultimate ownership and sovereignty.
* **Humility and Simplicity:** The very nature of flour—a simple, ground grain—can symbolize humility. In the instance of the poor man's sin offering ([[Leviticus 5:11]]), flour was accepted as an alternative to animals, demonstrating God's gracious provision for all, regardless of economic status, and His acceptance of a humble offering from a contrite heart.
* **Life and Transformation:** The stories of Elijah and Elisha using *qemach* to sustain life or purify poisoned food illustrate its role as a medium for divine power, transforming scarcity into abundance and death into life. This highlights God's ability to work through ordinary means to accomplish extraordinary ends.
### Summary
The Hebrew word *qemach* (`{{H7058}}`) denotes "flour" or "meal," a finely ground grain product. Its usage in the Bible highlights its dual significance: as an indispensable staple for daily sustenance, emblematic of God's faithful provision, and as a crucial component in the cultic grain offerings. In rituals, *qemach* symbolizes purity, dedication, and the worshiper's acknowledgment of divine sovereignty. Its presence in narratives of miraculous provision further underscores God's power to sustain life through humble means. Ultimately, *qemach* serves as a tangible link between the mundane necessities of life and profound theological truths concerning divine provision, human dependence, and the nature of worship and sacrifice.
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