What does חֹמֶץ (chomets) mean in the Bible?
חֹמֶץ (chomets) is a Hebrew word meaning "vinegar".
Hebrew · H2558
חֹמֶץ
Vinegar
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through the Connect page. Screenshots are helpful.
חֹמֶץ H2558
Pronunciation chomets
What does חֹמֶץ (chomets) mean in the Bible?
חֹמֶץ (chomets) is a Hebrew word meaning "vinegar".
Full entry for חֹמֶץ (H2558) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H2558?
The BSB source-word alignment has 6 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include . . . (1), and gave me vinegar (1), into the vinegar sauce (1), Like vinegar (1), or vinegar (1).
Where does חֹמֶץ (chomets) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Numbers 6:3. Its strongest book concentrations include Numbers (2), Proverbs (2), Psalms (1), Ruth (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 It . . . 1× Numbers 6:3
and gave me vinegar 1× Psalms 69:21
into the vinegar sauce 1× Ruth 2:14
Like vinegar 1× Proverbs 10:26
or vinegar 1× Proverbs 25:20
vinegar 1× Numbers 6:3
Show sample aligned rows
Numbers 6:3 חֹ֥מֶץ to vinegar Noun - masculine singular construct Numbers 6:3 וְחֹ֥מֶץ to . . . Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct Ruth 2:14 בַּחֹ֑מֶץ to into the vinegar sauce Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular Psalms 69:21 חֹֽמֶץ׃ to and gave me vinegar Noun - masculine singular Proverbs 10:26 כַּחֹ֤מֶץ׀ to Like vinegar Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular Proverbs 25:20 חֹ֣מֶץ to or vinegar Noun - masculine singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned row Numbers 6:3
Aligned rows 6
Books represented 4
Numbers 2 Ruth 1 Psalms 1 Proverbs 2
Source forms
בַּחֹ֑מֶץ 1x ba·ḥō·meṣ Ruth 2:14
וְחֹ֥מֶץ 1x wə·ḥō·meṣ Numbers 6:3
חֹ֥מֶץ 1x ḥō·meṣ Numbers 6:3
חֹ֣מֶץ 1x ḥō·meṣ Proverbs 25:20
חֹֽמֶץ׃ 1x ḥō·meṣ Psalms 69:21
כַּחֹ֤מֶץ׀ 1x ka·ḥō·meṣ Proverbs 10:26
Parsing patterns
Noun - masculine singular 2x Psalms 69:21, Proverbs 25:20
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct 1x Numbers 6:3
Noun - masculine singular construct 1x Numbers 6:3
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular 1x Ruth 2:14
Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular 1x Proverbs 10:26
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. vinegar
Source Gloss
vinegar
Extended definition Source: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
vinegar Usage: vinegar.
Grammatical Forms
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
Selected Scripture Witness
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
Old Testament Witnesses
sour wine or vinegar
Showing 1 selected witness from 6 lexical occurrence verses.
Word Origins
Why This Word Matters
The metaphor communicates sharp irritation and discomfort. Proverbs 10:26
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.
Sources
MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0
Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) source-word alignment - CC0 Public Domain