Lexical Summary chamushim: Armed, equipped Original Word: חָמֻשׁ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance armed men, harnessed Passive participle of the same as chomesh; staunch, i.e. Able-bodied soldiers -- armed (men), harnessed. see HEBREW chomesh NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition in battle array NASB Translation army (1), battle array (2), martial array (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs חֲמֻשִׁים adjective plural in battle array, always this form, Exodus 13:18 (E), Joshua 1:14; Joshua 4:12 (both D), Judges 7:11 + Numbers 32:17 (JE), see חושׁ. חמת (√ of following; meaning unknown; Mv and others, very improbably, from Arabic Topical Lexicon Meaning and Scope חָמֻשׁ (chamush) denotes persons who are equipped or arrayed for battle. The four Old Testament occurrences cluster around pivotal moments when the Lord musters, directs, or reassures His covenant people at a decisive juncture. The term therefore gathers the ideas of preparedness, order, and divine authorization for conflict. Exodus 13:18 — The Exodus as a Martial Procession “So God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea, and the Israelites left the land of Egypt in battle formation” (Exodus 13:18). At the very birth-moment of the nation, Israel is not portrayed as a disorderly mob fleeing oppression but as a disciplined host leaving Egypt under God’s command. Chamush underscores that redemption carries with it the call to readiness. Even before Sinai, the people are organized for holy warfare against the coming challenges in Canaan (compare Exodus 15:3). Joshua 1:14; 4:12 — Transjordan Tribes in the Vanguard Moses had granted land east of the Jordan to Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, but with the stipulation that their “fighting men” would cross first to aid their brothers (Numbers 32:20-22). Joshua’s commission enforces that earlier vow: “Your wives, your young children, and your livestock may remain in the land Moses gave you east of the Jordan, but all you who are valiant warriors are to cross over in battle formation before your brothers and help them” (Joshua 1:14). “And about forty thousand equipped for battle crossed over before the LORD to the plains of Jericho for war” (Joshua 4:12-13). Chamush here stresses covenant solidarity. Possessing rest in one’s own inheritance never excuses withdrawal from the corporate struggle of God’s people. The Transjordan tribes model sacrificial service: secure at home, yet still first in line to fight. Judges 7:11 — Gideon’s Covert Confirmation At the cusp of the clash with Midian, the Lord sends Gideon to overhear enemy soldiers “armed in the camp.” Hearing a dream and its interpretation, Gideon worships (Judges 7:11). The presence of chamush among the Midianites magnifies God’s power: even a well-arrayed foe is no match for divinely chosen instruments. Chamush therefore frames both sides of the narrative—Israel’s call to be prepared and the reminder that human preparedness, detached from the Lord, cannot prevail (compare Psalm 33:16-17). Historical and Ministry Significance 1. Nation-forming discipline: God never shepherds His people aimlessly. From the Exodus onward He molds them into a unified, mobile army capable of advancing His purposes. Applications for Contemporary Discipleship • Intentional Equipping: Churches should cultivate doctrinal clarity and practical training, reflecting Israel’s ordered departure from Egypt. Chamush thus weaves through salvation history as a quiet yet potent reminder that God’s redeemed people are both saved and sent—armed, not in their own strength, but in obedience to the Commander of the hosts of Heaven. Forms and Transliterations הַחֲמֻשִׁ֖ים החמשים וַחֲמֻשִׁ֛ים וחמשים חֲמֻשִׁ֔ים חֲמֻשִׁ֜ים חמשים chamuShim ha·ḥă·mu·šîm ḥă·mu·šîm hachamuShim haḥămušîm ḥămušîm vachamuShim wa·ḥă·mu·šîm waḥămušîmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 13:18 HEB: יַם־ ס֑וּף וַחֲמֻשִׁ֛ים עָל֥וּ בְנֵי־ NAS: went up in martial array from the land KJV: went up harnessed out of the land INT: Sea of the Red martial went and the sons Joshua 1:14 Joshua 4:12 Judges 7:11 4 Occurrences |