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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJames Hastings Dictionary of the Bible: Chemarim
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CHEMARIM.—In EV [Note: English Version.] this word is found only in Zep_1:4; but the original of which it is the transliteration is used also at 2Ki_23:5 and Hos_10:5, and in both instances Chĕmârim is placed in the margin of AV [Note: Authorized Version.] and RV [Note: Revised Version.] . Chômer, of which Chĕârim is the plural, is of Aram. [Note: Aramaic.] origin, and when used in Syr. carries no unfavourable connotation. In the Heb. of the OT, however, Chĕârim always has a bad sense; it is applied to the priests who conducted the worship of the calves (2Ki_23:5, Hos_10:5), and to those who served the Baalim (Zep_1:4). Kimchi believed the original significance of the verbal form was ‘to be black,’ and explained the use of the noun by the assertion that the idolatrous priests wore black garments. Others take the root to mean, ‘to be sad,’ the chumra being a sad, ascetic person, a monk or priest.