חֲמוֹר (cha.mor)
cha.mor
Hamor
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 12 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The noun chamor primarily denotes a male donkey, an animal central to ancient Near Eastern life for transport and labor. Its presence in the biblical text underscores the practical realities of daily existence during the patriarchal and judicial periods, appearing in narratives that range from family genealogies to military campaigns.
A notable linguistic feature is its use as a proper name for Hamor, the Hivite prince of Shechem mentioned in Genesis 33:19. This connection creates an interesting tension between the literal meaning of the word and its application to a human figure, a usage also reflected in the Greek transliteration Emmōr found in Acts 7:16.
While the term itself is straightforward, its occurrence in names like Hamor adds a layer of historical specificity to the accounts of Jacob’s settlement and the subsequent conflict with Shechem. The word serves as a concrete marker of place and person, grounding the theological narratives in tangible, earthly details.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word chamor simply means a male donkey, an animal essential for travel and work in ancient times. It appears frequently in everyday contexts, reminding us that God’s stories are grounded in real, tangible life. Yet it also serves as a proper name for Hamor, the father of Shechem, linking the ordinary creature to significant historical figures.
When we read about Jacob buying land from Hamor’s sons or the later events in Shechem, the name anchors these narratives in specific geography and human relationships. It shows how divine promises unfold through concrete people and places, not just abstract ideas. This word invites us to see the sacred within the ordinary details of history.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 12 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Hamor13×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חֲמ֥וֹר4×
- חֲמוֹר֙3×
- חֲמ֛וֹר2×
- חֲמ֖וֹר2×
- חֲמֽוֹר\׃1×
- חֲמ֑וֹר1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 33:19
He bought the parcel of ground where he had spread his tent, at the hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for one hundred pieces of money.
This verse records Jacob purchasing land from Hamor, establishing a tangible inheritance that becomes central to Israel's later history.
-
Genesis 34:2
Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the land, saw her. He took her, lay with her, and humbled her.
Here Hamor is identified as the Hivite prince, highlighting his political status and the power dynamics involved in the conflict over Dinah.
-
Joshua 24:32
They buried the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up out of Egypt, in Shechem, in the parcel of ground which Jacob bought from the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for a hundred pieces of silver. They became the inheritance of the children of Joseph.
The burial of Joseph’s bones in this specific parcel purchased from Hamor’s sons fulfills an ancient transaction and marks a key moment in Israel's settlement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does chamor mean?
Why is chamor significant in Genesis?
How is chamor related to Joshua 24:32?
Every Occurrence (12 verses across 3 books)
Genesis 10 verses
He bought the parcel of ground where he had spread his tent, at the hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem’s father,…
Genesis 34:2Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the land, saw her. He took her, lay with her, and humbled her.
Genesis 34:4Shechem spoke to his father, Hamor, saying, “Get me this young lady as a wife.”
Genesis 34:6Hamor the father of Shechem went out to Jacob to talk with him.
Genesis 34:8Hamor talked with them, saying, “The soul of my son, Shechem, longs for your daughter. Please give her to him as a wife.
Genesis 34:13The sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father with deceit when they spoke, because he had defiled Dinah their…
Genesis 34:18Their words pleased Hamor and Shechem, Hamor’s son.
Genesis 34:20Hamor and Shechem, his son, came to the gate of their city, and talked with the men of their city, saying,
Genesis 34:24All who went out of the gate of his city listened to Hamor, and to Shechem his son; and every male was circumcised, all…
Genesis 34:26They killed Hamor and Shechem, his son, with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah out of Shechem’s house, and went…