Bible Word Study
חֹרִי
chôrîy · white bread
חֹרִי
white bread
Definition
The Hebrew word חֹרִי (chôrîy) refers specifically to 'white bread' or fine, high-quality bread. It is derived from a root meaning 'white' or 'to be white,' indicating a bread made from finely sifted, high-grade flour. In its sole biblical occurrence in Genesis 40:16, it describes the contents of a basket in the chief baker's dream, symbolizing luxury and royal provision. This term distinguishes a superior food item from ordinary, coarser breads common in the ancient diet.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Genesis 40:16, within the narrative of Joseph interpreting dreams in prison. It appears in the dream of Pharaoh's chief baker, where three baskets of 'white bread' (חֹרִי) are on his head. The usage here is symbolic, representing food fit for a king, which contrasts with the baker's impending fate. Its singular occurrence limits broader patterns, but it clearly denotes a luxury item in a courtly context.
Etymology
The noun חֹרִי (chôrîy) is derived from the same root as the Hebrew word חוּר (chûr, H2353), which means 'white' or 'white stuff.' This root is associated with whiteness, purity, and fineness. The word likely developed to describe bread that was white in color due to the use of finely ground, high-quality wheat flour, distinguishing it from darker, whole-grain or barley breads common among the general populace.
Semantic Range
In ancient Near Eastern culture, 'white bread' was a symbol of wealth, status, and royal favor. Ordinary people typically ate bread made from barley or less refined wheat, which was darker and coarser. White bread, made from finely sifted wheat flour, was a luxury item often associated with feasts, offerings, and the tables of the elite. In Genesis 40:16, its presence in the baker's dream underscores his occupation serving Pharaoh's court and the high stakes of his position. לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899) — the general Hebrew word for 'bread' or 'food,' encompassing all types, unlike חֹרִי which specifies fine white bread.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB, 1906, public domain). Concordance and morphology data are from the OSHB (Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible).
Full methodology & sources →References
- Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Tyndale Brief lexicon of Extended Strongs for Greek (TBESG). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Formatted full LSJ (TFLSJ). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Thayer, J.H. (1889) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. [Public Domain]
- Gesenius, W. (1846) Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament. [Public Domain]
- Dodson, J. (2010) Greek Lexicon. Biblical Humanities. [CC0]