חוּם
sunburnt or swarthy (blackish)
Definition
The Hebrew word חוּם (chûwm) describes a dark or brownish color, specifically referring to the coat color of sheep and goats. It is best understood as 'brown,' 'dark-colored,' or 'swarthy,' likely indicating animals with a sunburnt or dusky hue. In its biblical usage, it exclusively appears in Genesis 30:32-40, where it distinguishes the colored livestock (brown sheep and speckled/spotted goats) that Jacob would receive as his wages from Laban's flocks. The term does not denote a pure black but a warmer, darker shade, setting it apart from other color terms.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only in the narrative of Jacob's breeding agreement with Laban in Genesis 30. All four occurrences (Genesis 30:32, 33, 35, 40) are in the context of separating livestock by color. It specifically modifies sheep (צֹאן, tso'n), describing those that are not purely white. The usage is highly specific to this pastoral economic setting, with no other appearances in the Old Testament.
Etymology
Derived from an unused Hebrew root meaning 'to be warm' or 'to be hot.' The connection suggests the color is associated with warmth—like something darkened by the sun. Cognates in other Semitic languages, such as Arabic and Aramaic, also relate to heat or darkening, supporting the meaning of a sun-induced brown or dusky hue.
Semantic Range
While the word itself is not theologically loaded, its context in Genesis 30 is significant. It highlights God's faithfulness in Jacob's story, as the Lord providentially causes the 'brown' sheep to multiply for Jacob despite Laban's deception (Genesis 31:7-12). Understanding this specific term enriches the reading by clarifying the precise nature of the animals involved in God's fulfillment of His promise to bless Jacob.
In ancient Near Eastern pastoral societies, livestock colors were economically and symbolically important. Dark-colored sheep like the חוּם were less common than white ones and were often considered less valuable for wool production. Jacob's request for these (along with speckled goats) may have seemed a modest or disadvantageous offer, making God's subsequent multiplication of them a clear demonstration of divine intervention in cultural terms.
שָׁחֹר (shachor, H7838) — denotes a true 'black' color, used for hair (Song of Solomon 5:11) or horses (Zechariah 6:2), darker than חוּם. כָּחֹל (kachol, H3544) — means 'dark' or 'dusky,' used for the color of wine (Proverbs 23:31) or eyes (from kohl eyeliner), suggesting a deep hue but not specifically brown.
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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