חָמַק (cha.maq)
cha.maq
to turn away
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb chāmaq means to turn away or withdraw. It appears in only two verses in the Old Testament, appearing in both Song of Solomon and Jeremiah. In the Qal stem, it describes a simple act of turning aside or passing by, capturing a sense of movement away from a previous position.
Its usage in the Hithpael stem adds complexity, indicating vacillation or turning hither and thither. This reflexive form suggests hesitation or indecision, as someone shifts back and forth rather than moving with purpose. The word’s rarity makes its specific contexts all the more significant for understanding biblical language.
In Song of Solomon 2:9, the beloved is described as having turned away, a poetic image that conveys sudden movement or departure. In Jeremiah 48:30, the verb appears in a context of national failure, where pride leads to turning away from God’s ways. These examples show how chāmaq can describe both physical motion and spiritual drift.
Translators often render chāmaq as "turn away" or "withdraw," depending on context. The word’s limited occurrence means it does not carry the same theological weight as more common verbs, but its presence in key texts highlights moments of transition or decision. Its root likely relates to motion or direction, though precise etymological details are uncertain.
Understanding chāmaq helps readers appreciate the nuance of biblical Hebrew, where even rare words can carry significant meaning in their specific contexts. The verb’s focus on turning away or vacillating offers insight into how ancient writers described movement, both physical and spiritual.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word chāmaq describes the act of turning away, whether physically stepping aside or spiritually drifting from a path. In Song of Solomon, it captures the sudden absence of the beloved, reminding us that separation can be as vivid and painful as presence. This rare verb invites us to notice how even small movements—turning your head, shifting your focus—can change the entire atmosphere of a relationship.
In Jeremiah, the word appears in a form suggesting hesitation, moving back and forth without direction. It reflects a state of indecision where pride or fear keeps a person from committing fully to God’s ways. This vacillation is not just physical motion but a spiritual drift, where the heart pulls in different directions until it loses its center.
Understanding this word helps us recognize moments when we might be turning away from what matters most. It calls for self-awareness and gentle correction, offering hope that God sees our hesitations and invites us to return with clarity and purpose.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- will you vacillate/ !1×
- he had turned away1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תִּתְחַמָּקִ֔י/ן1×
- חָמַ֣ק1×
Key Verses
-
Song of Solomon 5:6
I opened to my beloved; but my beloved left, and had gone away. My heart went out when he spoke. I looked for him, but I didn’t find him. I called him, but he didn’t answer.
This verse uses the word to describe the beloved’s sudden departure, highlighting the emotional weight of absence in intimate relationships.
-
Jeremiah 31:22
How long will you go here and there, you backsliding daughter? For Yahweh has created a new thing in the earth: a woman will encompass a man.”
Here the verb appears in a reflexive form, depicting Israel’s spiritual vacillation and indecision as they drift away from God.