חׇפְשִׁי (choph.shi)
choph.shi
free
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 16 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew word chophshi describes a state of being free, specifically from the constraints of slavery or compulsory labor. It appears sixteen times in the Old Testament, with a notable concentration in Exodus and Jeremiah. In these texts, the term marks the transition from bondage to liberty, emphasizing the restoration of personal autonomy and dignity.
Its meaning extends beyond physical release to include freedom from financial burdens. The sources indicate it can refer to exemption from taxes or other obligations, highlighting a comprehensive liberation that affects both social status and economic responsibility. This dual usage underscores the holistic nature of freedom in biblical thought, where legal and material constraints are removed alongside physical captivity.
The word carries significant theological weight, particularly in passages where God delivers Israel from Egyptian servitude. It is not merely a change of location but a fundamental shift in identity and rights. Translators often render it as "free" or "liberty," capturing the essence of release from oppressive systems. This concept remains central to understanding the biblical narrative of redemption and justice.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word chophshi points to a profound state of liberation, specifically from the heavy burdens of slavery or compulsory labor. In the Old Testament, this term marks a decisive shift from bondage to liberty, restoring personal dignity and autonomy to those who had been oppressed. It is not merely about physical release but involves a complete removal of social and economic constraints, such as taxes or debts.
For your faith life, this word reminds us that God’s deliverance is holistic. He cares about the whole person, freeing us from systems that crush human worth. When we read of servants going out free without paying anything, it reflects a justice that values people above profit. This freedom is a gift of grace, offering rest and a new identity in community.
Even when people fail to uphold these laws, as seen in Jeremiah, the ideal remains clear: true freedom restores relationships and dignity. We can trust that God desires our flourishing, not our confinement. May you find peace in knowing that your worth is secure in Him, free from the weight of unnecessary burdens.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 16 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- free [people]5×
- a free [person]5×
- to <the>/ free [person]3×
- free2×
- [is] free1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חָפְשִׁ֖י4×
- לַֽ/חָפְשִׁ֥י2×
- חָפְשִׁ֔ים2×
- חָפְשִׁ֑ים2×
- לַֽ/חָפְשִׁ֖י1×
- חָפְשִׁי֙1×
- חָפְשִֽׁי\׃1×
- חָפְשִׁ֥י1×
- חָפְשִׁ֖ים1×
- חָפְשִׁ֑י1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 21:2
“If you buy a Hebrew servant, he shall serve six years, and in the seventh he shall go out free without paying anything.
This verse establishes the foundational principle that Hebrew servants must be released after six years without financial penalty, highlighting freedom as a right rather than a privilege.
-
Deuteronomy 15:13
When you let him go free from you, you shall not let him go empty.
Here the text requires that those set free are not sent away empty-handed, showing that true liberation includes provision and care for the future.
-
Isaiah 58:6
“Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to release the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?
The prophet connects this concept of freedom to spiritual practice, urging the release of the oppressed as the kind of fast God chooses.
-
Jeremiah 34:14
At the end of seven years, every man of you shall release his brother who is a Hebrew, who has been sold to you, and has served you six years. You shall let him go free from you. But your fathers didn’t listen to me, and didn’t incline their ear.
This passage recalls the law of release to rebuke Israel for failing to let their servants go free, emphasizing that freedom is a covenant obligation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does chophshi mean in the Bible?
How is chophshi different from other words for freedom?
Where does this word appear most frequently?
Every Occurrence (16 verses across 6 books)
Exodus 4 verses
“If you buy a Hebrew servant, he shall serve six years, and in the seventh he shall go out free without paying anything.
Exodus 21:5But if the servant shall plainly say, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children. I will not go out free;’
Exodus 21:26“If a man strikes his servant’s eye, or his maid’s eye, and destroys it, he shall let him go free for his eye’s sake.
Exodus 21:27If he strikes out his male servant’s tooth, or his female servant’s tooth, he shall let the servant go free for his…