Hebrew · H3898, G5595 · unreviewed

לָחַם

To feed on ; figuratively, to consume ; by implication, to battle (as destruction) · to feed/dole out

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Words in this compound — expand to study each participant

לָחַם H3898 to feed on ; figuratively, to consume ; by implication, to battle (as destruction)
Pronunciation lāḥam
To consume or devour, either literally as food or figuratively as destructive conflict and warfare.
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ψωμίζω G5595 to feed/dole out
Pronunciation psōmízō
Feeding with small portions, emphasizing nourishment of the vulnerable rather than mere provision.
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What does לָחַם (lacham) mean in the Bible?

לָחַם · ψωμίζω is a Hebrew word meaning "to provide food or nourishment".

Full entry for לָחַם (H3898, G5595) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

to provide food or nourishment
Grammatical Forms

How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.

Niphal passive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action 52×
Perfect 1Chr 18:10 · 1Kgs 14:19 · 1Kgs 22:46 · 2Chr 20:29 · 2Chr 27:5 · 2Kgs 13:12 · 2Kgs 14:15 · 2Kgs 14:28 · 2Sam 8:10 · Isa 30:32 · Isa 63:10 · Josh 10:14 · Josh 10:42 · Judg 9:17 · Judg 11:25 · Num 21:26 24×
Participle active 1Sam 17:19 · 1Sam 23:1 · 1Sam 25:28 · 1Sam 28:15 · 1Sam 31:1 · 2Kgs 6:8 · 2Kgs 19:8 · Exod 14:25 · Isa 37:8 · Jer 21:2 · Jer 21:4 · Jer 34:1 · Jer 34:7 · Josh 10:25 · Judg 9:45 15×
Imperfect 1Kgs 22:31 · 2Chr 11:4 · 2Chr 18:30 · Deut 1:42 · Jer 32:5 · Deut 1:30 · Exod 14:14 · Neh 4:14 · 1Kgs 20:23 · Zech 14:14 10×
Jussive 2Chr 13:12
Sequential imperfect Exod 17:9
Infinitive absolute Judg 11:25
Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense
Participle active Ps 56:2 · Ps 56:3
Sequential imperfect Prov 9:5 · Ps 35:1
Perfect Prov 4:17
Jussive Prov 23:6
Imperfect Ps 141:4
Hebrew Verb Forms

How this verb appears across 59 occurrences in the Hebrew OT (OSHB Leningrad Codex).

Aspect / Form
Perfect 25 Participle 17 Imperfect 13 Imperative 3 Infinitive absolute 1
Stem
Niphal 52 Qal 7
Mood
Indicative 25 Indicative/jussive 9 Imperative 3 Indicative/cohortative 2 Jussive 2
OT Occurrences
Exod 14:14 Niphal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive Exod 14:25 Niphal · Participle Exod 17:9 Niphal · Imperative · Imperative Num 21:26 Niphal · Perfect · Indicative Deut 1:30 Niphal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive Deut 1:42 Niphal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive Josh 10:14 Niphal · Perfect · Indicative Josh 10:25 Niphal · Participle Josh 10:42 Niphal · Perfect · Indicative Judg 5:19 Niphal · Perfect · Indicative Judg 5:19 Niphal · Perfect · Indicative Judg 5:20 Niphal · Perfect · Indicative Judg 5:20 Niphal · Perfect · Indicative Judg 9:17 Niphal · Perfect · Indicative Judg 9:45 Niphal · Participle Judg 11:5 Niphal · Perfect · Indicative Judg 11:25 Niphal · Infinitive absolute Judg 11:25 Niphal · Perfect · Indicative 1 Sam 17:19 Niphal · Participle 1 Sam 23:1 Niphal · Participle 1 Sam 25:28 Niphal · Participle 1 Sam 28:15 Niphal · Participle 1 Sam 31:1 Niphal · Participle 2 Sam 8:10 Niphal · Perfect · Indicative 2 Sam 12:27 Niphal · Perfect · Indicative 1 Kgs 14:19 Niphal · Perfect · Indicative 1 Kgs 20:23 Niphal · Imperfect · Indicative/cohortative 1 Kgs 22:31 Niphal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive 1 Kgs 22:46 Niphal · Perfect · Indicative 2 Kgs 6:8 Niphal · Participle 2 Kgs 13:12 Niphal · Perfect · Indicative 2 Kgs 14:15 Niphal · Perfect · Indicative 2 Kgs 14:28 Niphal · Perfect · Indicative 2 Kgs 19:8 Niphal · Participle 1 Chr 10:1 Niphal · Perfect · Indicative 1 Chr 18:10 Niphal · Perfect · Indicative 2 Chr 11:4 Niphal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive 2 Chr 13:12 Niphal · Imperfect · Jussive 2 Chr 17:10 Niphal · Perfect · Indicative 2 Chr 18:30 Niphal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive +19 more occurrences

Aspect in Hebrew reflects grammatical form, not tense. "Perfect" (Perfective) typically denotes completed action; "Imperfect" (Imperfective) denotes incomplete or ongoing action. Stem modifies the action type (Qal=simple, Niphal=passive, Piel=intensive, etc.).

Morphology: OSHB WLC (Open Scriptures, CC BY 4.0) · STEPBible TEHMC (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0)

Word Pictures (Robertson)

A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.

A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain

Sources