Strong's Lexicon chamets: To be leavened, to be sour Original Word: חָמֵץ Word Origin: A primitive root Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Greek equivalent often associated with the concept of leaven is ζύμη (Strong's Greek 2219 - zyme), which also refers to leaven or yeast and is used metaphorically in the New Testament to describe moral and doctrinal corruption (e.g., Matthew 16:6, 1 Corinthians 5:6). Usage: The Hebrew verb "chamets" primarily means to be leavened or to become sour. In the context of the Hebrew Bible, it often refers to the process of fermentation, particularly in bread-making, where dough is allowed to rise due to the presence of yeast or other leavening agents. This term is used both literally, in reference to food, and metaphorically, to describe moral or spiritual corruption. Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Israelite culture, leaven (chamets) was a significant element in daily life, especially in bread-making. However, during certain religious observances, such as the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Chag HaMatzot), leaven was strictly prohibited. This feast commemorates the Israelites' exodus from Egypt, during which they left in haste and did not have time to let their bread rise. The absence of leaven during this period symbolizes purity and separation from sin, as leaven is often associated with corruption and impurity in biblical symbolism. Brown-Driver-Briggs I. חָמֵץ verb be sour, leavened (Late Hebrew id., Pi`el Hiph`il make sour, leaven; Arabic  be sour; Aramaic חֲמַע be sour, leavened,  be leavened) — Qal Perfect חָמֵץ Exodus 12:39; Imperfect יֶחְמָ֑ץ Exodus 12:34; Infinitive suffix חֻמְצָתוֺ Hosea 7:4 +; — be leavened, of dough (בָּצֵק), Exodus 12:34,39 (E), compare Hosea 7:4. Hitph. be soured, embittered, Psalm 73:21 ("" כִּלְיוֺתַי אֶשְׁתּוֺנָן). II. [חמץ] verb be red (? compare Aramaic Qal Passive participle construct חֲמוּץ בְּגָדִים red of garments Isaiah 63:1; possibly also Imperfect3feminine singular תֶּחֱמַץ Psalm 68:24 that thy foot may be red with blood (for ᵑ0 תמחץ; so Krochm Hi Gr; most, however, read תרחץ see רחץ). III. [חמץ] verb be ruthless (dubious √; perhaps by-form of חמס; perhaps erroneous for it; identification by most with I. חמץ, be sour, hence sharp, violent, but connection improbable) — only Qal Participle active מִכַּף מְעַוֵּל וְחוֺמֵץ Psalm 71:4 from the hand of the unjust and ruthless ("" מִיַּד רָשָׁע). Strong's Exhaustive Concordance cruel man, dyed, be grieved, leavened A primitive root; to be pungent; i.e. In taste (sour, i.e. Literally fermented, or figuratively, harsh), in color (dazzling) -- cruel (man), dyed, be grieved, leavened. Forms and Transliterations וְחוֹמֵץ׃ וחומץ חֲמ֤וּץ חָמֵ֑ץ חֻמְצָתֽוֹ׃ חמוץ חמץ חמצתו׃ יִתְחַמֵּ֣ץ יֶחְמָ֑ץ יחמץ יתחמץ chaMetz chaMutz chumtzaTo ḥā·mêṣ ḥă·mūṣ ḥāmêṣ ḥămūṣ ḥum·ṣā·ṯōw ḥumṣāṯōw vechometz wə·ḥō·w·mêṣ wəḥōwmêṣ yechMatz yeḥ·māṣ yeḥmāṣ yiṯ·ḥam·mêṣ yitchamMetz yiṯḥammêṣLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 12:34 HEB: בְּצֵק֖וֹ טֶ֣רֶם יֶחְמָ֑ץ מִשְׁאֲרֹתָ֛ם צְרֻרֹ֥ת NAS: before it was leavened, [with] their kneading bowls KJV: their dough before it was leavened, their kneadingtroughs INT: their dough before leavened their kneading bound Exodus 12:39 Psalm 71:4 Psalm 73:21 Isaiah 63:1 Hosea 7:4 6 Occurrences |
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Ethpa`al blush, be ashamed, possibly originally be red); — 
