חָפַשׁ
to spread loose; figuratively, to manumit
Definition
The Hebrew verb חָפַשׁ (châphash) fundamentally means 'to be free' or 'to be set loose.' Its primary sense is legal and social, referring to the act of manumission—the formal release of a person from bondage or servitude. In its single biblical occurrence in Leviticus 19:20, it describes a female slave who has not been 'freed' or 'set at liberty' by her master. The term carries a strong connotation of a change in legal status from bondage to autonomy. While its usage is limited, the concept is central to biblical themes of liberation.
Biblical Usage
This verb is used only once in the Old Testament, in Leviticus 19:20. It appears within a specific legal context concerning a female slave who is designated for another man but has not been granted her freedom. The usage is entirely in the context of Israelite civil and religious law, highlighting the legal procedures and status surrounding servitude. There are no other patterns of usage across different books or literary forms.
Etymology
חָפַשׁ is a primitive root in Hebrew, meaning its etymology is not derived from another known Hebrew word. It is likely related by concept to other Semitic roots for freedom or release. The core idea of the root is 'to be loose' or 'to spread out,' from which the figurative and legal sense of manumission naturally develops.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, this word is theologically significant as it directly engages with the biblical theme of liberation. It provides a concrete Hebrew term for the act of setting someone free, a concept that finds its ultimate expression in God's redemption of Israel from Egypt and, in Christian theology, in spiritual salvation from sin. Understanding this specific legal term enriches the reading of broader passages about freedom, justice, and redemption, such as the Jubilee laws in Leviticus 25.
In its ancient Near Eastern context, manumission was a formal legal act. A slave did not simply 'escape' but was officially released by their owner, changing their social and economic status. Leviticus 19:20 reflects this precise legal reality, distinguishing between a slave who is owned and one who has been legally manumitted. This differs from a modern, more generalized idea of 'freedom' and underscores the importance of legal standing in Israelite society.
גָּאַל (gā'al, H1350) — to redeem or act as a kinsman-redeemer, focusing on family obligation and payment. פָּדָה (pādâ, H6299) — to ransom or redeem by payment, often used of God redeeming Israel. שָׁלַח (shālach, H7971) — to send away or release, a more general term for letting go.
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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