חֵמָר
bitumen (as rising to the surface)
Definition
The Hebrew word חֵמָר (chêmâr) refers specifically to bitumen, a naturally occurring, sticky, tar-like substance used as a waterproof adhesive and mortar in the ancient Near East. In Genesis 11:3, it describes the mortar used in the construction of the Tower of Babel. In Genesis 14:10, it characterizes the terrain of the Valley of Siddim, which was full of 'slime pits' (bitumen pits). In Exodus 2:3, it is the waterproofing material used by Moses's mother to coat his basket before placing him in the Nile River.
Biblical Usage
חֵמָר is used only three times in the Old Testament, always as a noun referring to bitumen. It appears in narrative contexts describing construction (Genesis 11:3), treacherous geography (Genesis 14:10), and a protective coating (Exodus 2:3). Its usage spans the books of Genesis and Exodus, consistently depicting a practical, adhesive substance derived from the earth.
Etymology
The noun חֵמָר is derived from the root verb חָמַר (H2560, châmar), meaning 'to boil up' or 'to ferment.' This etymology reflects the substance's natural origin, as bitumen often seeps or bubbles up to the surface of the earth or water, such as in the Dead Sea region.
Semantic Range
While חֵמָר itself is a mundane material, its specific biblical uses carry symbolic weight. In Genesis 11:3, it represents human technological pride and unity in rebellion at Babel. In Exodus 2:3, the same substance is used providentially to protect the infant Moses, the future deliverer, foreshadowing God's preservation of His people. Thus, a common material highlights the contrast between human schemes and divine salvation.
Bitumen was a crucial natural resource in Mesopotamia and Egypt, widely used for waterproofing boats, sealing baskets, and as mortar for bricks. The 'slime pits' of Genesis 14:10 likely refer to natural asphalt seeps around the Dead Sea, a known geological feature. This substance was sticky and treacherous, making pits a significant hazard in battle, and its waterproof qualities made it ideal for the basket in Exodus 2:3.
זֶפֶת (zepheth, H2203) — a more general term for pitch or asphalt, used for waterproofing (e.g., Noah's ark in Genesis 6:14).
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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