חֲמוֹת
cha.mot
mother-in-law
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Hebrew word "חֲמוֹת" (cha.mot) is defined as a "mother-in-law." This indicates that the word specifically refers to a woman who is related to one by marriage. Based on the occurrence count of 11 times in the Bible, this concept plays a significant role in the lives and relationships of individuals within the text. The significant domain of "Law & Justice" associated with this word suggests its relevance to social and familial relationships within biblical law. The meaning and range of usage imply that the concept of mother-in-law carries importance in maintaining order, respect, and balance within family structures. This word's presence in the biblical text highlights the complexities and dynamics of intermarriage relationships, which were a common aspect of ancient cultures. The repetition of this concept across multiple occurrences indicates its significance in exploring broader themes of family obligations, loyalty, and harmony within the biblical narrative. Through this lens, the lexicon "חֲמוֹת" serves as a gateway to understanding the intricate social dynamics and interpersonal connections within ancient Jewish communities, as depicted in the written text.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
11 total occurrences across the text
For the son dishonors the father, the daughter rises up against her mother, the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man’s enemies are the men of his own house.
Ruth 1:14They lifted up their voices and wept again; then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth stayed with her.
Ruth 2:11Boaz answered her, “I have been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you have left your father, your mother, and the land of your birth, and have come to a people that you didn’t know before.
Ruth 2:18She took it up, and went into the city. Then her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned; and she brought out and gave to her that which she had left after she had enough.
Ruth 2:19Her mother-in-law said to her, “Where have you gleaned today? Where have you worked? Blessed be he who noticed you.” She told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked, “The man’s name with whom I worked today is Boaz.”
Ruth 2:19Her mother-in-law said to her, “Where have you gleaned today? Where have you worked? Blessed be he who noticed you.” She told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked, “The man’s name with whom I worked today is Boaz.”
Ruth 2:23So she stayed close to the maidens of Boaz, to glean to the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and she lived with her mother-in-law.
Ruth 3:1Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, shall I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you?
Ruth 3:6She went down to the threshing floor, and did everything that her mother-in-law told her.
Ruth 3:16When she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “How did it go, my daughter?” She told her all that the man had done for her.
Ruth 3:17She said, “He gave me these six measures of barley; for he said, ‘Don’t go empty to your mother-in-law.’ ”