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חֲמוֹר

𐤇𐤌𐤅𐤓

chămôwr

H2543 noun

SILEX Entry

Root חמר to be red, reddish-brown, to ferment, to foam

Definition

A male donkey (Equus asinus), domesticated for work and transportation. In biblical texts, חֲמוֹר refers specifically to the male member of this animal species, distinct from female donkeys (אָתוֹן). The term is commonly used for beasts of burden, valued for their strength, endurance, and role in agrarian and nomadic settings. It can also be used to designate particular animals in personal or narrative contexts, often marking ownership or status.

Semantic Range

male donkey, beast of burden, domesticated working animal, idiomatic references to property or status symbol

Root / Etymology

From the root חמר, which broadly means 'to be red, reddish-brown, or to ferment/foam.' The connection to the meaning 'ass/donkey' is commonly thought to come from the reddish coloration found in some donkeys; this is a semantic extension rather than a direct meaning of the root. The form חֲמוֹר is a masculine noun pattern.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In ancient Israelite society, the חֲמוֹר held practical and symbolic value. Donkeys were integral in agriculture (plowing, carrying loads), travel, and trade. They are frequently mentioned in narratives (Genesis, Judges, Samuel, Kings) as property, transportation, or in connection with legal transactions. Distinction is made between חֲמוֹר (male donkey) and אָתוֹן (female donkey), especially in stories such as Balaam’s (Numbers 22) or narratives involving patriarchs. In translation traditions, 'ass' is the conventional rendering, though modern English translations often prefer 'donkey' to avoid obsolete or potentially pejorative connotations. There are no significant theological associations in earlier texts. In later periods, donkeys could serve as emblems of humility or service, but such interpretations are not explicit in the biblical usage.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or (shortened) חֲמֹר; from חָמַר; a male ass (from its dun red); (he) ass.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

חמר (ḥ-m-r) — to be red, reddish-brown, to ferment, to foam

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2544 חֲמוֹר Hamor
H2560 חָמַר he bubbled up
H2561 חֶמֶר fermenting wine
H2562 חֲמַר he fermented
H2563 חֹמֶר in the clay

Word Forms

23 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2543-09 הַ/חֲמ֔וֹר hachamor HTd/Ncbsa the donkey the male donkey 18
H2543-02 חֲמֹ֣ר chamor HNcbsc donkey male donkey 18
H2543-21 וַ/חֲמֹרִ֔ים vachamorim HC/Ncbpa and donkeys and male donkeys 8
H2543-07 חֲמֹרִ֔ים chamorim HNcbpa of donkeys male donkeys 7
H2543-18 וַ/חֲמ֔וֹר vachamor HC/Ncbsa and donkey and a male donkey 7
H2543-10 הַ/חֲמֹרִ֖ים hachamorim HTd/Ncbpa the donkeys the male donkeys 6
H2543-08 חֲמֹר֔/וֹ chamoro HNcbsc/Sp3ms his donkey his male donkey 5
H2543-23 וְ/הַ/חֲמוֹר֙ vehachamor HC/Td/Ncbsa and the donkey and the male donkey 4
H2543-01 בַּֽ/חֲמֹרִים֙ bachamorim HRd/Ncbpa on donkeys on the male donkeys 3
H2543-04 חֲמֹרֵי/הֶּ֑ם chamoreyhem HNcbpc/Sp3mp their donkeys their male donkeys 3

Occurrences in Scripture

96 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2543-21 Genesis 12:16 וַ/חֲמֹרִ֔ים vachamorim HC/Ncbpa and donkeys and male donkeys
H2543-08 Genesis 22:3 חֲמֹר֔/וֹ chamoro HNcbsc/Sp3ms his donkey his male donkey
H2543-09 Genesis 22:5 הַ/חֲמ֔וֹר hachamor HTd/Ncbsa the donkey the male donkey
H2543-21 Genesis 24:35 וַ/חֲמֹרִֽים vachamorim HC/Ncbpa and donkeys and male donkeys
H2543-21 Genesis 30:43 וַ/חֲמֹרִֽים vachamorim HC/Ncbpa and donkeys and male donkeys
H2543-18 Genesis 32:6 וַ/חֲמ֔וֹר vachamor HC/Ncbsa and donkey and a male donkey
H2543-04 Genesis 34:28 חֲמֹרֵי/הֶּ֑ם chamoreyhem HNcbpc/Sp3mp their donkeys their male donkeys
H2543-10 Genesis 36:24 הַ/חֲמֹרִ֖ים hachamorim HTd/Ncbpa the donkeys the male donkeys
H2543-04 Genesis 42:26 חֲמֹרֵי/הֶ֑ם chamoreyhem HNcbpc/Sp3mp their donkeys their male donkeys
H2543-15 Genesis 42:27 לַ/חֲמֹר֖/וֹ lachamoro HR/Ncbsc/Sp3ms to his donkey to his male donkey
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