Lexical Summary chomets: Vinegar, sour wine Original Word: חֹמֶץ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance vinegar From chamets; vinegar -- vinegar. see HEBREW chamets NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom chamets Definition vinegar NASB Translation vinegar (5). Brown-Driver-Briggs חֹ֫מֶץ noun masculine vinegar — ׳ח absolute Proverbs 10:26 3t.; construct Numbers 6:3 (twice in verse); — a common condiment Ruth 2:14, forbidden to Nazirite (יין ׳ח and שֵׁכָר ׳ח) Numbers 6:3 (twice in verse) (P), offered (in cruelty) to a thirsty man Psalm 69:22 (figurative for harshness lack of sympathy); in simile of sluggard כַּחֹמֶץ לַשִּׁנַּיִם Proverbs 10:26, עַלנָֿ֑תֶר ׳ח Proverbs 25:20 vinegar on nitre (simile of merry songs for the heavy-hearted). Topical Lexicon Substance and Manufactureחֹמֶץ refers to wine or other fermented drink that has turned sour—what English Bibles render “vinegar.” In the ancient Near East it was obtained by allowing grape wine or barley beer to oxidize, producing an acidic liquid useful as a condiment, preservative, thirst-quencher, and cleansing agent. Mixed with oil, water, or herbs, it became a common table dip; mingled with frankincense or gall it served medicinal or anesthetic purposes. Its pungent flavor made it a vivid metaphor for irritation or disappointment. Occurrences in the Old Testament Canon 1. Numbers 6:3 (twice). During a Nazirite vow the worshiper must “abstain from wine and strong drink; he must not drink vinegar made from wine or strong drink”. Holiness unto the LORD demanded separation even from the soured form of what was otherwise a God-given blessing, underscoring the radical nature of consecration.
3. Psalm 69:21. “They gave me poison for food, and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.” David’s lament becomes prophetic of the Messiah’s suffering (Matthew 27:48; John 19:29), demonstrating the unity of redemptive history. 4. Proverbs 10:26. “Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the slacker to those who send him.” The stinging quality of vinegar pictures the frustration caused by unreliable service. 5. Proverbs 25:20. “Like one who removes a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on soda, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.” Vinegar’s effervescence on soda (natron) dramatizes the aggravated pain produced by insensitive cheer. Legal and Liturgical Significance The Nazirite legislation shows that even permissible foods can be set aside for higher devotion. The avoidance of vinegar, unlike outright prohibitions on unclean meats, was temporary and voluntary, teaching that lawful pleasures may be surrendered for focused fellowship with God (compare 1 Corinthians 9:27). Hospitality and Covenant Kindness Boaz’s offer of vinegar-dip to Ruth transforms an everyday condiment into sacramental hospitality: a kinsman-redeemer sustains the needy at his table. The narrative anticipates the faithful kindness of Christ, who invites outsiders to “eat of My bread and drink of the wine I have mixed” (Proverbs 9:5). Prophetic and Christological Dimensions Psalm 69:21 anchors the crucifixion scene where Roman soldiers offer Jesus “wine vinegar” (Greek ὄξος, John 19:29). The correspondence validates the reliability of prophetic Scripture and highlights the Savior’s willingness to taste human bitterness in order to provide the New Wine of the kingdom (Matthew 26:29). Wisdom Motifs Proverbs employs vinegar’s caustic bite to warn against laziness and emotional tactlessness. Both proverbs reveal that conduct incongruous with its context—sloth amid obligation, jollity amid grief—brings discomfort as surely as vinegar sets teeth on edge. These images urge believers toward diligent work and empathetic speech (Ephesians 4:29). Pastoral and Practical Applications • Consecration: Voluntary limits (abstaining even from vinegar) cultivate holiness and sharpen spiritual focus. Conclusion From Nazirite devotion to Calvary’s fulfillment, חֹמֶץ threads through Scripture as both literal sour wine and potent symbol. It clarifies the cost of dedication, the sweetness of covenant kindness, the sting of folly, and the trustworthy detail of divine prophecy. Forms and Transliterations בַּחֹ֑מֶץ בחמץ וְחֹ֥מֶץ וחמץ חֹ֣מֶץ חֹ֥מֶץ חֹֽמֶץ׃ חמץ חמץ׃ כַּחֹ֤מֶץ ׀ כחמץ ba·ḥō·meṣ baChometz baḥōmeṣ Chometz ḥō·meṣ ḥōmeṣ ka·ḥō·meṣ kaChometz kaḥōmeṣ veChometz wə·ḥō·meṣ wəḥōmeṣLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 6:3 HEB: וְשֵׁכָר֙ יַזִּ֔יר חֹ֥מֶץ יַ֛יִן וְחֹ֥מֶץ NAS: no vinegar, whether made from wine KJV: and shall drink no vinegar of wine, INT: and strong shall abstain vinegar wine vinegar Numbers 6:3 Ruth 2:14 Psalm 69:21 Proverbs 10:26 Proverbs 25:20 6 Occurrences |
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