Original Word: חוֹמָה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: chowmah
Pronunciation: kho-maw'
Phonetic Spelling: (kho-maw')
KJV: wall, walled
NASB: wall, walls, walled, two walls
Word Origin: [feminine active participle of an unused root apparently meaning to join]

1. a wall of protection

wall, walled

Feminine active participle of an unused root apparently meaning to join; a wall of protection -- wall, walled.

Word Origin
from the same as cham
Definition
a wall
NASB Translation
two walls (1), Wall (2), wall (93), walled (2), walls (36).

חוֺמָה₁₃₃ noun feminine wall (as protection; construct חמת MI^{21; 21}) — absolute ׳ח Leviticus 25:29 59t. (including לְהַחוֺמָה Nehemiah 12:38); חֹמָה Exodus 14:29 8t.; construct חוֺמַת Joshua 6:5 28t.; suffix חוֺמָתָהּ Nahum 2:6; Nahum 3:8; pl, absolute חוֺמוֺת2Chronicles 8:5; Isaiah 26:1; חֹמוֺת Songs 5:7; construct חוֺמוֺת Psalm 51:20; חוֺמֹת 2 Kings 25:10 9t.; suffix חוֺמֹתַי Isaiah 56:5; חֹמֹתֶיךָ Deuteronomy 28:52; Isaiah 25:12; חוֺמוֺתַיִךְ Ezekiel 26:10,12; Ezekiel 27:11 (twice in verse); חוֺמֹתַיִךְ Isaiah 49:16 2t.; חֹמֹתַיִךְ Isaiah 60:10; חֹמוֺתָ֑יִךְ Ezekiel 26:9; חוֺמוֺתֶיהָ Jeremiah 50:15; חוֺמֹתֶיהָ Psalm 55:11; Jeremiah 1:15; dual חוֺמֹתַיִם Isaiah 22:11; חֹמֹתַיִם 2 Kings 25:4 = Jeremiah 52:7; חֹמֹתָ֑יִם Jeremiah 39:4 (on form see Ol^{§ 113 a}); —

1 usually term for wall of city Deuteronomy 28:52; Joshua 2:15; Joshua 6:5,20 (all J E), 1 Samuel 31:10,12; 2 Samuel 11:20,21 (twice in verse); 2 Kings 18:26,27 = Isaiah 36:11; Isaiah 36:12; Amos 1:7; Amos 1:10; Amos 1:14; Isaiah 2:15; Isaiah 20:10; Isaiah 20:11; Isaiah 25:12; Nahum 2:6; Nahum 3:8; Ezekiel 26:9 +, Jeremiah 1:15 +, Joel 2:7,9; בֵּין הַחֹמֹתַיִם (of Jerusalem) i.e. between the two walls of the Ophel and the southwest hill respectively, of a reservoir Isaiah 22:11, a gate 2 Kings 25:4 = Jeremiah 34:4 = Jeremiah 52:7; symbol of Israel, Amos 7:7; 2Chronicles 8:5; 2 Chronicles 14:6; 2 Chronicles 25:23; 26:6 (3 t. in verse); Psalm 51:20; Nehemiah 1:3 31t. in Nehemiah; חוֺמַת אֲנָךְ Amos 7:7 (literally wall of a plummet) is of doubtful meaning: a wall built plumb, or by means of a plumb-line ? We thinks unintelligible; עִיר חוֺמָה = walled city, Leviticus 25:29, ׳עִיר אשׁר לֹא ח Leviticus 25:30 (לֹא = לוֺ), opposed to ׳הַחֲצֵרִים אשׁר אין להם ח Leviticus 25:31 (all H); more elaborately גְבֹהָה דְּלָתַיִם וּבְרִ֑יחַ ׳עָרִים בְּצֻרֹת ח Deuteronomy 3:5, compare 2Chronicles 8:5; גְּדֹלוֺת חוֺמָה וּבְרִיחַ נְחשֶׁת ׳ע 1 Kings 4:13; ׳בְצוּרָה ח Isaiah 2:15; ׳ח singular of wall of Jerusalem 1 Kings 3:1 + often; contempt. חוֺמַת אַבְנֵיהֶם Nehemiah 3:35; less often plural Nehemiah 2:13 +; of specific portions of wall הָעֹפֶל ׳ח2Chronicles 27:3; Nehemiah 3:27; בְּרֵבַת הַשֶּׁלַח ׳ח Nehemiah 3:15; ׳הַח הָֽרְחָבָה Nehemiah 3:8; Nehemiah 12:38; also (generally) of Babylon Jeremiah 51:58. — Men build, בנה, the ׳ח 1 Kings 9:15 +, especially (of rebuilding), Nehemiah 2:17 +; fortify it בִּצֵּר Isaiah 22:10; it is joined together קשׁר Nehemiah 3:38; is repaired ׳עָֽלְתָה אֲרוּכָה לְח Nehemiah 4:1; it falls נפל Joshua 6:5,20; 1 Kings 20:30; Ezekiel 38:20; the enemy makes it fall הִמִּיל 2 Samuel 20:15 (preceded by מַשְׁחִית si vera lectio, see Dr); destroys it הִשְׁחִית Lamentations 2:8; שִׁהֵת Ezekiel 26:4; makes a breach in it ׳מָּרַץ בּ 2 Kings 14:13 2Chronicles 25:23, compare פרץ with accusative 2 Chronicles 26:6; Nehemiah 3:35, and ׳וֶיִּבֶן אֶתכֿלהֿח הַמְּרוּצָה2Chronicles 32:5; also (in simile) ׳עִיר מְּרוּצָה ואין ח Proverbs 25:28; and Punic participle מְפֹרָ֑צֶת Nehemiah 1:3; one breakes it down נָתַץ 2 Kings 25:10; 2Chronicles 36:19; Jeremiah 39:8; Jeremiah 52:14; tears it down הָרַס Ezekiel 26:12, compare passive Jeremiah 50:15; Amos predicts that ׳י will send fire into wall (of Gaza, etc.): ׳וְשִׁלַּחְתִּי אֵשׁ בְּח Amos 1:7,10; or kindle fire in ׳וְהִצַּתִּי אֵשׁ בְּח vAmos 1:14, so Jeremiah 49:27.

2 wall of a building:

a. citadel, fortress; ארמנותיה ׳ח Lamentations 2:7.

b. surrounding new temple Ezekiel 40:5; Ezekiel 42:20.

3 figurative of waters of Red Sea Exodus 14:22,29 (P), compare Nahum 3:8; of David's men as protectors of Nabal's shepherds 1 Samuel 25:16; of prophet as object of assault חוֺמַת נְחשֶׁת Jeremiah 1:18; נחשׁת בְּצוּרָה ׳ח Jeremiah 15:20; of strong, virtuous woman Songs 8:9,10; of salvation, יְשׁוּעָה, as defence Isaiah 26:1 ("" חֵל); of ׳י himself ׳ח אֵשׁ Zechariah 2:9; a dangerous political scheme is called breach in נִשְׁגָּבָה ׳ח Isaiah 30:13; נִשְׂגָּבָה ׳ח in simile of wealth Proverbs 18:11 ("" קִרְיַת עֻזּוֺ); a reckless man is ׳עִיר מְּרוּצָה אֵין ח Proverbs 25:28.

Definition and Scope

חוֹמָה is the ordinary Hebrew term for a wall, whether of stone, mud-brick, or other material. In Scripture it ranges from the monumental fortifications of cities to vineyard fences, interior partitions, and metaphorical barriers that express protection, separation, or judgment. Roughly 133 occurrences span Torah, Historical Books, Wisdom Literature, and Prophets, giving a broad canonical testimony to the concept of “walls.”

Physical Function in Ancient Israel

1. City Defense. Walls secured population centers such as Jericho (Joshua 6), Samaria (1 Kings 20:30), and Jerusalem (2 Kings 25:10). Archaeology confirms the thickness and height implied by biblical narratives.
2. Royal and Civic Identity. Massive fortifications proclaimed a kingdom’s glory (2 Chronicles 32:5). Walls framed public space, regulated commerce at gates, and provided elevated watchpoints.
3. Domestic and Agricultural Use. Vineyards and sheepfolds employed walls as boundaries (Numbers 22:24; Proverbs 24:31), reminding Israel of property stewardship under covenant law.

Symbolic and Theological Significance

1. Divine Protection. “I will be a wall of fire around her,” declares the LORD concerning Zion (Zechariah 2:5). Salvation itself is poetically called a wall (Isaiah 26:1).
2. Human Vulnerability. Breaches speak of moral collapse: “Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man without self-control” (Proverbs 25:28).
3. Separation from Sin. The rebuilt wall under Nehemiah became a public statement of repentance and renewed covenant (Nehemiah 12:27-43).
4. Eschatological Hope. The New Jerusalem descends “with a great, high wall” (Revelation 21:12), echoing prophetic promises of ultimate security.

Key Old Testament Passages

• Joshua 6:20 – Jericho’s walls fall after Israel’s obedience, showcasing God’s supremacy over human fortifications.
• 1 Samuel 25:16 – David’s men “were a wall around us,” portraying protective companionship.
• 2 Kings 20:6 – Hezekiah receives years of life and promise that the LORD “will defend this city” as by an invisible wall.
• Nehemiah 4:6 – “So we rebuilt the wall,” illustrating cooperative covenant faith.
• Psalm 51:18 – “Build the walls of Jerusalem,” intertwining spiritual renewal with physical restoration.
• Isaiah 60:18 – “You will call your walls Salvation,” merging material and redemptive realities.
• Ezekiel 22:30 – The LORD seeks a man to “stand in the gap in the wall,” underscoring intercessory ministry.
• Song of Songs 8:10 – The Shulammite, “I am a wall,” evokes purity and strength in covenant love.

Prophetic and Eschatological Use

Prophets employ חוֹמָה to dramatize impending judgment (Isaiah 2:15), expose false security (Ezekiel 13:10-15), and predict restoration (Amos 9:11). In apocalyptic vision Ezekiel measures a temple city with walls of exact depth (Ezekiel 40–48), prefiguring perfect holiness. Zechariah’s “wall of fire” renews hope for exiles, while Isaiah 54:12 promises jeweled walls, anticipating the consummated Kingdom.

New Testament Allusions

Though Greek τειχος takes over, the theological backdrop persists. Paul proclaims that Christ “has broken down the dividing wall of hostility” (Ephesians 2:14), dissolving Jew-Gentile separation foreshadowed by temple architecture. Revelation’s vision of the New Jerusalem unites Mosaic, prophetic, and apostolic witness to covenant continuity.

Ministry and Pastoral Application

1. Intercession. Like Nehemiah and Ezekiel’s unnamed watchman, believers are summoned to repair spiritual breaches through prayer and obedience.
2. Personal Discipline. Proverbs 25:28 guides counseling on self-control, addiction, and moral boundaries.
3. Church Protection. Titus 1:9 charges elders to guard doctrine, functioning as theological walls that exclude error while sheltering truth.
4. Evangelism and Mercy. Jericho’s collapse warns against misplaced trust, yet Rahab found refuge within that very wall, showcasing grace for repentant outsiders.

Christological and Redemptive Insights

The physical walls of Jerusalem, ultimately insufficient, drive anticipation toward Messiah, who embodies perfect security. He is both the Cornerstone (Psalm 118:22) and the encircling stronghold (Psalm 18:2). At the cross the curtain-wall of separation tears, and at Pentecost the Spirit becomes the believer’s internal rampart. The final city’s radiant walls crown the metanarrative: God dwelling with a protected, purified people.

See Also

Gate; Fortress; Watchtower; Hedge; Cornerstone.

בְּח֣וֹמַת בְּחֹֽמוֹתָ֑יִךְ בְּחוֹמַ֖ת בְּחוֹמַ֣ת בְּחוֹמַ֨ת בְּחוֹמָ֣ה בְּחוֹמֹ֤ת בַּֽחוֹמָה֙ בַּחוֹמָ֑ה בַּחוֹמָ֔ה בַּחוֹמָ֛ה בַּחוֹמָֽה׃ בחומה בחומה׃ בחומת בחמותיך הַ֣חֹמָ֔ה הַ֣חוֹמָ֔ה הַֽחוֹמָ֑ה הַֽחוֹמָ֔ה הַֽחוֹמָ֜ה הַֽחוֹמָה֙ הַחֹ֣מֹתַ֔יִם הַחֹמָ֑ה הַחֹמָֽה׃ הַחֹמֹתַ֗יִם הַחֹמֹתַ֙יִם֙ הַחֹמֹתָ֑יִם הַחֹמֽוֹת׃ הַחוֹמָ֑ה הַחוֹמָ֔ה הַחוֹמָ֖ה הַחוֹמָ֣ה הַחוֹמָ֤ה הַחוֹמָ֥ה הַחוֹמָ֨ה הַחוֹמָֽה׃ החומה החומה׃ החמה החמה׃ החמות׃ החמתים וְחוֹמַ֤ת וְחוֹמָ֖ה וּבְחֽוֹמֹתַי֙ וּבְחוֹמַ֥ת וּבַֽחוֹמָ֖ה וּכְחוֹמָ֥ה וּלְחֹמ֥וֹת וּלְחוֹמַ֣ת ובחומה ובחומת ובחומתי וחומה וחומת וכחומה ולחומת ולחמות ח֣וֹמַת ח֤וֹמָה ח֥וֹמַת חֹ֠מוֹת חֹמ֣וֹת חֹמ֥וֹת חֹמָ֔ה חֹמָ֗ה חֹמָה֙ חֹמֹתֶ֙יךָ֙ חֹמֹתַ֔יִךְ חֽוֹמָתָ֔הּ חֽוֹמוֹתֶ֑יהָ חֽוֹמוֹתַ֔יִךְ חוֹמ֖וֹת חוֹמ֥וֹת חוֹמַ֞ת חוֹמַ֣ת חוֹמַ֤ת חוֹמַ֥ת חוֹמָ֑ה חוֹמָ֔ה חוֹמָ֖ה חוֹמָ֛ה חוֹמָ֣ה חוֹמָ֥ה חוֹמָה֙ חוֹמָתָֽהּ׃ חוֹמֹ֖ת חוֹמֹ֥ת חוֹמֹ֨ת חוֹמֹתֶ֑יהָ חוֹמֹתֶ֗יךָ חוֹמֹתֶ֙יהָ֙ חוֹמֹתַ֔יִךְ חוֹמֹתַ֣יִךְ חוֹמֹתַ֥יִךְ חוֹמוֹתַ֔יִךְ חוֹמוֹתַ֙יִךְ֙ חומה חומות חומותיה חומותיך חומת חומתה חומתה׃ חומתיה חומתיך חמה חמות חמתיך לְהַחוֹמָ֗ה לְחֹמ֣וֹת לְחוֹמַ֤ת לַֽחוֹמָ֑ה לַחוֹמָ֑ה לַחוֹמָ֔ה לַחוֹמָ֖ה להחומה לחומה לחומת לחמות מֵחוֹמַ֖ת מחומת ba·ḥō·w·māh bachoMah baḥōwmāh bə·ḥō·mō·w·ṯā·yiḵ bə·ḥō·w·māh bə·ḥō·w·maṯ bə·ḥō·w·mōṯ bechoMah bechoMat bechoMot bechomoTayich bəḥōmōwṯāyiḵ bəḥōwmāh bəḥōwmaṯ bəḥōwmōṯ choMah choMat chomaTah choMot chomoTayich chomoTeicha chomoTeiha ha·ḥō·māh ha·ḥō·mō·ṯa·yim ha·ḥō·mō·ṯā·yim ha·ḥō·mō·wṯ ha·ḥō·w·māh hachoMah hachoMot hachomoTayim haḥōmāh haḥōmōṯayim haḥōmōṯāyim haḥōmōwṯ haḥōwmāh ḥō·māh ḥō·mō·ṯa·yiḵ ḥō·mō·ṯe·ḵā ḥō·mō·wṯ ḥō·w·mā·ṯāh ḥō·w·māh ḥō·w·maṯ ḥō·w·mō·ṯa·yiḵ ḥō·w·mō·ṯe·hā ḥō·w·mō·ṯe·ḵā ḥō·w·mō·w·ṯa·yiḵ ḥō·w·mō·w·ṯe·hā ḥō·w·mō·wṯ ḥō·w·mōṯ ḥōmāh ḥōmōṯayiḵ ḥōmōṯeḵā ḥōmōwṯ ḥōwmāh ḥōwmaṯ ḥōwmāṯāh ḥōwmōṯ ḥōwmōṯayiḵ ḥōwmōṯehā ḥōwmōṯeḵā ḥōwmōwṯ ḥōwmōwṯayiḵ ḥōwmōwṯehā la·ḥō·w·māh lachoMah laḥōwmāh lə·ha·ḥō·w·māh lə·ḥō·mō·wṯ lə·ḥō·w·maṯ lechoMat lechoMot lehachoMah ləhaḥōwmāh ləḥōmōwṯ ləḥōwmaṯ mê·ḥō·w·maṯ mechoMat mêḥōwmaṯ ū·ḇa·ḥō·w·māh ū·ḇə·ḥō·w·maṯ ū·ḇə·ḥō·w·mō·ṯay ū·ḵə·ḥō·w·māh ū·lə·ḥō·mō·wṯ ū·lə·ḥō·w·maṯ ūḇaḥōwmāh ūḇəḥōwmaṯ ūḇəḥōwmōṯay uchechoMah ūḵəḥōwmāh ulechoMat ulechoMot ūləḥōmōwṯ ūləḥōwmaṯ uvachoMah uvechoMat uvechomoTai vechoMah vechoMat wə·ḥō·w·māh wə·ḥō·w·maṯ wəḥōwmāh wəḥōwmaṯInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts