Original Word: חָסַם
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: chacam
Pronunciation: khaw-sam'
Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-sam')
Definition: To muzzle, to restrain
Meaning: to muzzle, to stop the nose

muzzle, stop

A primitive root; to muzzle; by analogy, to stop the nose -- muzzle, stop.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to stop up, muzzle
NASB Translation
block off (1), muzzle (1).

[חָסַם] verb stop up, muzzle (Late Hebrew id., חסום muzzle; Aramaic חֲסַם bind up fast) —

Qal Imperfect לֹא תַחְסֹם שׁוֺר בְּדִישׁוֺ Deuteronomy 25:4 thou shalt not muzzle an ox when it is treading (i.e. threshing); Participle וְחֹסֶמֶת היא Ezekiel 39:11 and it shall stop (the way of) the passers-by; but read וְחָֽסְמוּ אתהַֿגַּיְא and they shall stop up the valley, Co see ᵐ5 Syrver Hi.

Word Origin: A primitive root

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The corresponding Greek entry is Strong's G5392, φιμόω (phimoō), which means to muzzle or silence. This Greek term is used in the New Testament in contexts that involve silencing or restraining, such as in Matthew 22:12, where it describes the silencing of a man without a wedding garment, and in Mark 4:39, where Jesus calms the storm by commanding it to be still. The use of φιμόω in these contexts reflects a similar theme of control and restraint as seen in the Hebrew חָסַם.

Usage: The verb חָסַם is used in the context of restraining or preventing an action, specifically in the sense of muzzling an animal to prevent it from eating while working. It is also used metaphorically to describe stopping or blocking, such as stopping the nose.

Context: The Hebrew verb חָסַם (chasam) appears in the context of agricultural practices in ancient Israel. It is primarily used to describe the act of muzzling an ox while it treads out the grain. This practice is addressed in the Mosaic Law, which prohibits muzzling an ox during this labor, as seen in Deuteronomy 25:4: "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain." This command underscores the principle of fair treatment and provision for working animals, reflecting a broader ethical concern for justice and compassion within the community.

The concept of muzzling is also employed metaphorically in biblical literature to convey the idea of restraint or suppression. The act of stopping the nose, although less frequently mentioned, can be understood as a figurative expression for blocking or hindering a natural function or process.

The prohibition against muzzling an ox is cited in the New Testament by the Apostle Paul, who uses it to illustrate the principle that workers deserve their wages. This is seen in 1 Corinthians 9:9 and 1 Timothy 5:18, where Paul applies the principle to support the rights of those who labor in ministry to receive material support.

וְחֹסֶ֥מֶת וחסמת תַחְסֹ֥ם תחסם tachSom ṯaḥ·sōm ṯaḥsōm vechoSemet wə·ḥō·se·meṯ wəḥōsemeṯInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts