חָמוֹץ (cha.mots)
cha.mots
oppression
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun chamots refers to a person who acts with ruthlessness, specifically an oppressor who exploits others without mercy. It appears only once in the Old Testament, in Isaiah 1:17. In this context, it describes the kind of people God commands His followers to defend against, highlighting a stark contrast between those who abuse power and those who are vulnerable.
The word is closely related to terms for bitterness or sourness, suggesting that such oppression often stems from a hardened heart. Translators typically render it as "the oppressor" or "the ruthless," capturing the active cruelty inherent in the term. This single usage underscores the prophetic call to justice, urging believers to seek out and protect those targeted by such harsh treatment.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word chamots describes a person who uses power to crush others without mercy. In Isaiah, God calls His people to stand against this kind of cruelty. It is not just about feeling sorry for those who suffer, but actively stepping in to protect them. This call reminds us that faith involves action, especially when the vulnerable are targeted by the strong.
When we see injustice, we are invited to respond with compassion and courage. God’s heart is for those who have no voice, and He asks us to join Him in defending them. This is a practical expression of love, showing that our faith is lived out in how we treat the least protected among us.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] oppressor1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חָמ֑וֹץ1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 1:17
Learn to do well. Seek justice. Relieve the oppressed. Defend the fatherless. Plead for the widow.”
This verse commands believers to actively relieve the chamots, defining the word as an object of protective action rather than just a general concept of suffering.