What does חָמֵץ mean in the Bible?
e. e.
Hebrew · H2556
חָמֵץ
To be pungent ; i.e. in taste ( sour , i.e. literally fermented , or figuratively, harsh ), in color ( dazzling )
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חָמֵץH2556
What does חָמֵץ mean in the Bible?
חָמֵץ is a Hebrew word meaning "to be pungent ; i.e. in taste ( sour , i.e. literally fermented , or figuratively, harsh ), in color ( dazzling )".
Full entry for חָמֵץ (H2556) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H2556?
The BSB source-word alignment has 6 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include and ruthless (1), it was leavened (1), leaven (1), the rising (1), was grieved (1).
Where does חָמֵץ appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Exodus 12:34. Its strongest book concentrations include Exodus (2), Psalms (2), Hosea (1), Isaiah (1).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itand ruthless1×Psalms 71:4
it was leavened1×Exodus 12:34
leaven1×Exodus 12:39
the rising1×Hosea 7:4
was grieved1×Psalms 73:21
with crimson-stained1×Isaiah 63:1
Show sample aligned rows
Exodus 12:34יֶחְמָ֑ץtoit was leavenedVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularExodus 12:39חָמֵ֑ץtoleavenVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularPsalms 71:4וְחוֹמֵץ׃toand ruthlessConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singularPsalms 73:21יִתְחַמֵּ֣ץtowas grievedVerb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine singularIsaiah 63:1חֲמ֤וּץtowith crimson-stainedNoun - masculine singular constructHosea 7:4חֻמְצָתֽוֹ׃tothe risingVerb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowExodus 12:34
Aligned rows6
Books represented4
Exodus2Psalms2Isaiah1Hosea1
Source forms
וְחוֹמֵץ׃1xwə·ḥō·mēṣPsalms 71:4
חֲמ֤וּץ1xḥă·mūṣIsaiah 63:1
חָמֵ֑ץ1xḥā·mêṣExodus 12:39
חֻמְצָתֽוֹ׃1xḥum·ṣā·ṯōwHosea 7:4
יֶחְמָ֑ץ1xyeḥ·māṣExodus 12:34
יִתְחַמֵּ֣ץ1xyiṯ·ḥam·mêṣPsalms 73:21
Parsing patterns
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular1xPsalms 71:4
Noun - masculine singular construct1xIsaiah 63:1
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine singular1xPsalms 73:21
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular1xExodus 12:34
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular1xHosea 7:4
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular1xExodus 12:39
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. to be pungent ; i.e. in taste ( sour , i.e. literally fermented , or figuratively, harsh ), in color ( dazzling )
Source Gloss
to be pungent ; i.e. in taste ( sour , i.e. literally fermented , or figuratively, harsh ), in color ( dazzling )
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
to be pungent; i.e. in taste (sour, i.e. literally fermented, or figuratively, harsh), in color (dazzling) BDB: be sour Usage: cruel (man), dyed, be grieved, leavened.
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups2Aligned forms4
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense3×
ImperfectExod 12:341×
PerfectExod 12:391×
Participle passiveIsa 63:11×
Hithpaelreflexive or reciprocal — the subject acts on itself or mutually with others1×
ImperfectPs 73:211×
Word Origins
חָמֵץ is a primitive root - no further derivation.
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.