קוֹמְמִיּוּת
elevation, i.e. (adverbially) erectly (figuratively)
Definition
The Hebrew noun קוֹמְמִיּוּת (qôwmᵉmîyûwth) fundamentally means 'elevation' or 'standing upright.' It is used figuratively to describe a state of dignity, freedom, and independence, as opposed to being bowed down or enslaved. In its sole biblical occurrence in Leviticus 26:13, it is used adverbially to describe how God brought Israel out of Egypt so they could walk 'upright' or 'with heads held high.' This conveys the complete transformation from a posture of servitude to one of liberated confidence.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Leviticus 26:13, within the context of God's covenant blessings. It appears in a series of promises God makes if Israel remains obedient, contrasting their former slavery in Egypt with their new, dignified status as a free people under His authority. The usage is highly figurative and symbolic, describing a national condition rather than a physical posture.
Etymology
The word is a feminine noun derived from the root קוּם (qûm, H6965), which means 'to arise,' 'to stand up,' or 'to establish.' This root is very common in Hebrew, forming many words related to rising, standing, and confirmation. The specific form קוֹמְמִיּוּת is an abstract noun, emphasizing the state or quality of being erect or elevated.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it encapsulates a core theme of redemption in the Exodus narrative. It moves beyond mere physical liberation to describe the restored dignity and honorable status God grants His people. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of Leviticus 26:13 by highlighting that God's salvation aims for holistic restoration—freeing people not just from external oppression but also from an internal spirit of subjugation, enabling them to stand confidently before Him and others.
In the ancient Near Eastern context, to walk 'upright' or with 'heads held high' was a powerful image of freedom, honor, and victory. Slaves, prisoners, and the defeated were often depicted as bowed down, prostrate, or with heads lowered. God's promise reverses this cultural symbol, declaring that His redeemed people would carry themselves with the bearing of the free and victorious.
יָשָׁר (yāšār, H3477) — emphasizes moral uprightness and straightness. זָקַף (zāqap̄, H2210) — a verb meaning to raise up or erect, often physically. עָמַד (ʿāmaḏ, H5975) — a common verb for to stand, often in a literal or positional sense.
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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