חָם (cham)
cham
father-in-law
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun cham refers specifically to a father-in-law, or more precisely, the husband’s father. It appears in only four verses across the Old Testament, with its most notable usage found in Genesis and 1 Samuel. This term distinguishes the male parent of one’s spouse from other family relations, anchoring the concept of kinship through marriage.
Its occurrence in Genesis 24:50-51 is particularly significant, where it describes the father-in-law relationship between Abraham’s servant and Bethuel, highlighting the formal bonds established in ancient Near Eastern marriage customs. In 1 Samuel 24:21, David refers to Saul as his father-in-law, underscoring the political and familial ties that complicated their conflict. The word carries no inherent emotional valence; it simply denotes a legal and social connection.
Translators consistently render cham as "father-in-law" or "husband’s father," avoiding ambiguity with terms for biological fathers. This precision reflects the importance of clear kinship designations in biblical narratives, where marital alliances often drive plot developments. The rarity of the word suggests it was a standard, unremarkable term in its context, requiring no special explanation for ancient audiences.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word cham points to a specific relational bond: the father of one's spouse. In the ancient world, marriage was not just a union of two people but a merging of families. This term highlights the formal ties that connected households, creating obligations and alliances that extended beyond individual feelings. It reminds us that our relationships are woven into a larger social fabric where kinship carries weight and responsibility.
When we look at how this word is used, we see it in moments of high tension. In Genesis 38, Tamar sends items to her father-in-law to prove the identity of the child she carries. This act was a direct appeal to his authority and duty as the head of the family line. It shows that even in difficult circumstances, these familial bonds required acknowledgment and action.
For your faith life, this word invites reflection on how we honor our extended family and the connections we have through marriage or community. It suggests that respecting these ties is part of living faithfully within our communities. Whether relationships are smooth or strained, acknowledging the role others play in our lives can be a step toward peace and understanding.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- father-in-law/ her3×
- father-in-law/ your1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חָמִ֖י/הָ2×
- חָמִ֛י/ךְ1×
- חָמִ֙י/הָ֙1×
Key Verses
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Genesis 38:13
Tamar was told, “Behold, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep.”
This verse establishes the practical reality of the relationship when Tamar is informed that her father-in-law is traveling, setting the stage for her subsequent actions.
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Genesis 38:25
When she was brought out, she sent to her father-in-law, saying, “I am with child by the man who owns these.” She also said, “Please discern whose these are—the signet, and the cords, and the staff.”
Here cham is central to a legal plea, as Tamar sends evidence to her father-in-law to clarify the paternity of her child and secure justice.
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I Samuel 4:19
His daughter-in-law, Phinehas’ wife, was with child, near to giving birth. When she heard the news that God’s ark was taken and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and gave birth; for her pains came on her.
The news that her father-in-law is dead triggers the final stages of childbirth, linking the loss of this family head directly to a moment of profound personal tragedy.