Chemarim

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

Chemarim . In EV [Note: English Version.] this word is found only in   Zephaniah 1:4; but the original of which it is the transliteration is used also at   2 Kings 23:5 and   Hosea 10:5 , and in both instances ChÄ•mârim is placed in the margin of AV [Note: Authorized Version.] and RV [Note: Revised Version.] . Chômer , of which ChÄ•mârim is the plural, is of Aram. [Note: Aramaic.] origin, and when used in Syr. carries no unfavourable connotation. In the Heb. of the OT, however, ChÄ•mârim always has a bad sense; it is applied to the priests who conducted the worship of the calves (  2 Kings 23:5 ,   Hosea 10:5 ), and to those who served the Baalim (  Zephaniah 1:4 ). Kimchi believed the original significance of the verbal form was ‘to be black,’ and explained the use of the noun by the assertion that the idolatrous priests wore black garments. Others take the root to mean, ‘to be sad,’ the chumra being a sad, ascetic person, a monk or priest.

Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary

This word occurs only once in our version of the Bible: "I will cut off the remnant of Baal, and the name of the Chemarims (Chemarim) with the priests,"  Zephaniah 1:4; but it frequently occurs in the Hebrew, and is generally translated "priests of the idols," or "priests clothed in black," because chamar signifies blackness. By this word the best commentators understand the priests of false gods, and in particular the worshippers of fire, because they were, it is said, dressed in black. Le Clerc, however, declares against this last opinion. Our translators of the Bible would seem sometimes to understand by this word the idols or objects of worship, rather than their priests. This is also the opinion of Le Clerc. Calmet observes that camar in Arabic signifies the moon, and that Isis is the same deity. "Among the priests of Isis," says Calmet, "were those called melanephori, that is, wearers of black; but it is uncertain whether this name was given them by reason of their dressing wholly in black, or because they wore a black shining veil in the processions of this goddess."

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

In  Zephaniah 1:4 distinct from "the priests," from Chamar "to burn" or "blacken," the black-attired ministers of the idol priests, who felled the victim at the altar. Or they were named from branding idol marks on their foreheads, idol fanatics. Others derive it from Chmar "to resound," namely, their howling during the rites. Josiah put them down ( 2 Kings 23:5 margin;  Hosea 10:5). The root in Syriac is "to be sad": an ascetic priest.

People's Dictionary of the Bible

Chemarim ( Kĕm'A-Rĭm ), Those Who Go About In Black. Occurs once only in the English version,  Zephaniah 1:4, but frequently in the Hebrew, and is translated "idolatrous priests," as in  2 Kings 23:5;  Hosea 10:5 (priests).

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Occurring once only in the English version,  Zephaniah 1:4 , but frequently in the Hebrew, translated "idolatrous priests,"  2 Kings 23:5   Hosea 10:5 . The word is supposed to be derived from a root signifying to burn, and may perhaps denote fire-priests, worshippers of the sun.

Morrish Bible Dictionary

A Hebrew word signifying some class of 'priests.'  Zephaniah 1 .  4;  Hosea 10:5 , margin . It is translated 'idolatrous priest' in  2 Kings 23:5 . The derivation of the word is much disputed.

Holman Bible Dictionary

 Zephaniah 1:4 2 Kings 23:5 Hosea 10:5

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 Zephaniah 1:4 2 Kings 23:5 Hosea 10:5

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

kem´a - rim ( כּמרים , kemārı̄m , a plural whose singular kōmer is not found in the Old Testament): Occurs only once in the text of English Versions of the Bible ( Zephaniah 1:4 , the King James Version Chemarims ), though the Hebrew word is found also in  2 Kings 23:5 (English Versions "idolatrous priests") and   Hosea 10:5 (English Versions "priests," English Versions margins, however, having "Chemarim" in both places). Some regard the word as an interpolation in   Zephaniah 1:4 , since the Septuagint omits it and its presence disturbs the parallelism. The word, which is of Aramaic origin ( kumra , priest), is used in the Old Testament only in an unfavorable sense, its origin and associations naturally suggesting Syriac affinities. In the Syriac, however, no such connotation is involved. In the Peshitta version of the Old Testament it is used indifferently of idolatrous priests and of priests of Yahweh, while in the same version of the New Testament it is used of the Levitical priests and of our Lord (e.g.  Hebrews 2:17;  Hebrews 3:1;  Hebrews 4:14 ,  Hebrews 4:15 , and often) and in  Acts 19:35 it is the rendering of neōkóros (the Revised Version (British and American) "temple-keeper," the King James Version "worshipper"). The question of the root idea of the word remains unsettled. The traditional supposition, which finds some support even among modern scholars, is that the verbal form means "to be black," the priests being supposed to have been clad in black. But it is doubtful whether the root had this meaning. Another conjecture takes the root to mean "to be sad," the priest being a man of a sad countenance, an ascetic. Cheyne would relate the word to the Assyrian kummaru , having the sense of "a clean vesture." It is at all events probable that the priests, both in Israel and in the surrounding nations, employed white vestments, rather than black, when in the performance of their official functions. According to the Mishna, Middōth , verse 4, a Levitical priest who had become disqualified for service put on black garments and departed, while the others put on white garments and went in and ministered. The reference to the Baal worship in  2 Kings 10:22 seems more congruous with this view; hence, probably blackrobed priests (Chemarim) of Baal and the unfaithful priests of Yahweh shall be cut off together. G. A. Smith (Btp, Ii 56) reads "the priestlings with the priests."

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

(Hebrews Kemarim ´ , כְּמָרַיס , Idol-Priests). This word occurs only once in our version of the Bible ("chemarims,"  Zephaniah 1:4; Sept. confounds with Ἰερεῖς following); but it is met with in the Hebrew in  2 Kings 23:5 (Sept. Χομαρίμ );  Hosea 10:5 (Sept. omits), where it is rendered "idolatrous priests," and priests;" and in both of these passages the margin has "Chemarim." According to Gesenius (Thes Hebrews p. 693), the corresponding Syriac word signifies "a priest in general; but this, as well as other Syriac words relating to divine worship, is restricted by the Hebrews to idol-worship. As to the etymology, the singular form כֹּמֶר , Ko ´ Mer, is properly Blackness, Sadness, and concretely, One who Goes About In Black, In Mourning, hence an Ascetic, A Priest." First (Heb. Lex. s.v.) suggests a derivation from כָּמִר = אָמִר , in the sense of Worship, and remarks that the title Chemarim, although proper to the peculiar priests of Baal, was also applied to other idolatrous priests.  Zephaniah 1:4, the Chemarim are coupled with the priests, and the passage may signify, "I will destroy the Chemarim, together with the priests of the tribe of Levi who have joined in the worship of idols." The priests who officiated in the service of the golden calves at Dan and Bethel were called chemarim (see the other passages referred to). Even to this day the Jews retain the word, and apply it in derision to Christian ministers, on account of their black robes. (See Baal).