חֲמַר (cha.mar)
cha.mar
wine
A:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:N-M
Word Overview
The term chamār denotes wine in Biblical Aramaic, serving as the direct equivalent of the Hebrew chomer (H2561). It appears exclusively in the later books of the Old Testament, specifically within the Aramaic sections of Daniel and Ezra. In these contexts, it refers to the fermented grape product consumed during communal meals or royal banquets.
Its usage highlights the cultural setting of the Persian empire’s court and administration. For instance, in Daniel 5:1-4, the word describes the wine drunk by Belshazzar as he praises his idols, illustrating a moment of reckless indulgence. Similarly, Ezra 7:27 mentions it among the resources provided for temple worship, showing its role in both secular excess and religious observance.
Translators consistently render chamār as "wine," maintaining the distinction between this Aramaic form and its Hebrew counterpart. The word carries no inherent moral judgment; rather, it simply identifies the beverage. Its presence in texts like Daniel underscores the international scope of the narrative, where Jewish exiles navigate life within a foreign linguistic and political landscape.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Aramaic word chamar simply means wine. It appears in the later books of Daniel and Ezra, reflecting the language of the Persian court where Jewish exiles lived. This term does not carry a moral judgment on its own. Instead, it describes a common beverage used in both royal banquets and temple preparations.
In Daniel 5, Belshazzar drinks this wine while using sacred vessels from Jerusalem, showing how ordinary items can become part of reckless behavior when hearts turn away from God. Yet in Ezra, the same word appears in lists of resources for rebuilding the temple, highlighting its role in community and worship. This duality reminds us that our daily habits matter deeply to God.
Whether in a feast or a ritual offering, wine represents human culture and celebration. We are invited to consider how we use the gifts of this world. Do they draw us closer to gratitude, or do they lead to pride? The text encourages reflection on where our hearts truly rest.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- wine/ the2×
- wine2×
- <the>/ wine2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חַמְרָ֥/א1×
- חַמְרָ֗/א1×
- חַמְרָ֑/א1×
- חַמְרָ/א֮1×
- חֲמַר֙1×
- חֲמַ֣ר1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 5:23
but have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before you, and you and your lords, your wives, and your concubines, have drunk wine from them. You have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which don’t see, or hear, or know; and you have not glorified the God in whose hand your breath is, and whose are all your ways.
This verse contrasts the act of drinking wine with failing to glorify God, highlighting the spiritual danger of using sacred things for profane celebration.
-
Ezra 7:22
up to one hundred talents of silver, and to one hundred cors of wheat, and to one hundred baths of wine, and to one hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much.
Here wine is listed among resources for temple worship, showing its accepted role in sustaining religious community and ritual.
-
Daniel 5:4
They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of bronze, of iron, of wood, and of stone.
The drinking of wine here accompanies the praise of idols, illustrating how a neutral act can become part of rebellion when disconnected from God.