עָמִית
companionship; hence (concretely) a comrade or kindred man
Definition
The Hebrew word עָמִית (ʻâmîyth) primarily denotes a close associate or companion, often within a covenant community. It refers to a fellow Israelite, a neighbor, or a kinsman with whom one shares social and legal obligations. In Leviticus 6:2 and 19:11, it describes a 'fellow citizen' in contexts of trust and property, while in Leviticus 18:20 and 25:14, it emphasizes a 'neighbor' in moral and economic relationships. The term inherently carries a sense of relational proximity and mutual responsibility under God's law.
Biblical Usage
עָמִית is used exclusively in the legal and moral instructions of Leviticus, appearing ten times. Its usage consistently frames ethical behavior toward one's community members. Key contexts include prohibitions against deceit (Leviticus 6:2, 19:11), adultery (Leviticus 18:20), judicial partiality (Leviticus 19:15), hatred (Leviticus 19:17), and fair economic dealings (Leviticus 25:14-15). This pattern underscores that one's obligations to an עָמִית are comprehensive, covering social, legal, and personal spheres.
Etymology
Derived from the primitive root עמם, meaning 'to associate' or 'to be joined.' This root conveys the idea of companionship and close connection. The noun form עָמִית thus literally signifies 'an associate' or 'one who is joined with another,' reflecting its core meaning of relational fellowship within a community.
Semantic Range
עָמִית is theologically significant as it defines the scope of neighborly love and justice within the covenant community. It grounds key ethical commands in Leviticus 19, which Jesus later cites in the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:39). Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by showing that biblical 'love your neighbor' laws originally applied concretely to fellow covenant members, establishing a foundation for social holiness and mutual accountability before God.
In ancient Israelite culture, an עָמִית was not merely a geographical neighbor but a fellow member of the covenant people bound by the Torah. This created a web of reciprocal duties stronger than modern individualism. The term assumes a shared religious identity and legal framework, making offenses against an עָמִ� a breach of both social and divine law.
רֵעַ (rēaʻ, H7453) — A broader term for 'companion' or 'friend,' often used interchangeably but sometimes with a more personal connotation. אָח (ʼāḥ, H251) — 'Brother,' emphasizing familial or tribal kinship within the nation. שָׁכֵן (shākēn, H7934) — 'Neighbor,' focusing on physical proximity or dwelling near.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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