חֹ֫מֶשׁ (cho.mesh)
cho.mesh
fifth
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 cho.mesh simply means a fifth part. It appears only once in the entire Old Testament, in Genesis 47:26. This single occurrence describes Joseph’s arrangement with the people of Egypt and Canaan regarding grain harvests.
In this context, the term specifies that one-fifth of their produce belonged to Pharaoh. The word is straightforward and numerical, lacking the abstract or theological weight found in other biblical terms for portions or tithes. It serves as a precise legal detail in the narrative of famine management.
Its rarity highlights how specific administrative decisions are recorded in Scripture. While ten percent (a tenth) was common for temple support later in Israel’s history, this fifth portion reflects a distinct political arrangement under Egyptian rule. The word anchors the story in concrete economic reality.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word cho.mesh means 'fifth' and appears just once in Scripture, in Genesis 47:26. Joseph arranged for one-fifth of Egypt's harvest to go to Pharaoh during the famine. This was not a spiritual tithe but a practical survival strategy under foreign rule.
Even in times of crisis, God works through human systems and laws. The Bible records this economic detail honestly, showing that faithfulness does not ignore reality. We can trust that God sees our needs and provides, even when circumstances feel heavy or unfair.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to the/ fifth part1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לַ/חֹ֑מֶשׁ1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 47:26
Joseph made it a statute concerning the land of Egypt to this day, that Pharaoh should have the fifth. Only the land of the priests alone didn’t become Pharaoh’s.
This verse uses cho.mesh to specify the exact one-fifth portion of grain that Joseph assigned to Pharaoh as a legal statute during the famine.