Lexical Summary chamai: On the ground, to the ground Original Word: χαμαί Strong's Exhaustive Concordance on the ground. Adverb perhaps from the base of chasma through the idea of a fissure in the soil; earthward, i.e. Prostrate -- on (to) the ground. see GREEK chasma NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. adverb Definition on or to the ground NASB Translation ground (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5476: χαμαίχαμαί, adverb; a. on the ground, on the earth. b. to the ground; in both senses from Homer down; in the latter sense John 9:6 (where, however, English idiom retains on); Chamai denotes movement or position “on the ground” or “to the ground,” highlighting a transition from an elevated or neutral state to earth level. In Scripture, this adverb never stands alone; it always frames a decisive action that either anticipates divine intervention or displays divine authority. Canonical Appearances 1. John 9:6 — “When Jesus had said these things, He spat on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and applied it to the man’s eyes.” Theological and Symbolic Themes Ground imagery recalls humanity’s origin from dust (Genesis 2:7) and its relation to humility (Psalm 113:7). In John 9, the ground becomes the medium of new creation as the blind man receives sight, echoing the Creator’s fashioning of Adam. In John 18, the ground testifies to Christ’s sovereign identity; armed men collapse before the unarmed Messiah, underlining Philippians 2:10, where “every knee should bow.” Thus chamai functions both as a platform for restorative grace and as a stage for divine majesty. Historical and Cultural Context Jewish tradition regarded spittle as ceremonially unclean, yet some Greco-Roman medical texts assigned curative value to saliva. Jesus subverts taboo while surpassing superstition; He uses common earth and saliva not as magic but as tangible signs that healing mercy penetrates ordinary matter. The soldiers’ fall reflects near-eastern motifs of prostration before royalty, underscoring that even Rome’s cohort must yield to Israel’s King. Ministry and Discipleship Implications • Humility: Like soil, the disciple recognizes creaturely dependence, positioning heart and body “low” so God may act. Related Old Testament Imagery • Dust of creation (Genesis 2:7) – life formed from ground. Summary Chamai frames two pivotal Johannine moments where Jesus reveals Himself as Creator and Lord. Whether raising a blind beggar or bringing soldiers low, He touches the ground of human existence and redefines it by His power, inviting every generation to humble faith and confident service. Englishman's Concordance John 9:6 AdvGRK: εἰπὼν ἔπτυσεν χαμαὶ καὶ ἐποίησεν NAS: He spat on the ground, and made KJV: he spat on the ground, and INT: having said he spat on [the] ground and made John 18:6 Adv |
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