חֲמוֹר (H2543) — Hebrew Lexicon

חֲמוֹר

𐤇𐤌𐤅𐤓

chămôwr

H2543 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A male donkey (Equus asinus), domesticated for work and transportation. In biblical texts, חֲמוֹר refers specifically to the male member of this animal species, distinct from female donkeys (אָתוֹן). The term is commonly used for beasts of burden, valued for their strength, endurance, and role in agrarian and nomadic settings. It can also be used to designate particular animals in personal or narrative contexts, often marking ownership or status.

Semantic Range

male donkey, beast of burden, domesticated working animal, idiomatic references to property or status symbol

Root / Etymology

From the root חמר, which broadly means 'to be red, reddish-brown, or to ferment/foam.' The connection to the meaning 'ass/donkey' is commonly thought to come from the reddish coloration found in some donkeys; this is a semantic extension rather than a direct meaning of the root. The form חֲמוֹר is a masculine noun pattern.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In ancient Israelite society, the חֲמוֹר held practical and symbolic value. Donkeys were integral in agriculture (plowing, carrying loads), travel, and trade. They are frequently mentioned in narratives (Genesis, Judges, Samuel, Kings) as property, transportation, or in connection with legal transactions. Distinction is made between חֲמוֹר (male donkey) and אָתוֹן (female donkey), especially in stories such as Balaam’s (Numbers 22) or narratives involving patriarchs. In translation traditions, 'ass' is the conventional rendering, though modern English translations often prefer 'donkey' to avoid obsolete or potentially pejorative connotations. There are no significant theological associations in earlier texts. In later periods, donkeys could serve as emblems of humility or service, but such interpretations are not explicit in the biblical usage.

Translation Consistency

primary "donkey" 96 occurrences

The Hebrew noun refers to the domesticated beast of burden (the male of the species). "Donkey" is the most natural, modern single-word English equivalent that covers the typical sense (working/transport animal) and will read naturally in translation; the male-specific nuance can be encoded by surrounding grammar or qualifiers where needed.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or (shortened) חֲמֹר; from חָמַר; a male ass (from its dun red); (he) ass.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

חמר (ḥ-m-r) — to be red, reddish-brown, to ferment, to foam

Root חמר to be red, reddish-brown, to ferment, to foam

Strong's	Lemma	SIBI-P1
H2544	חֲמוֹר	Hamor
H2560	חָמַר	he bubbled up
H2561	חֶמֶר	fermenting wine
H2562	חֲמַר	he fermented
H2563	חֹמֶר	in the clay
H2564	חֵמָר	bubbling bitumen
H2565	חֲמֹרָה	male donkey
H2566	חַמְרָן	Ruddy-one
H3180	יַחְמוּר	reddish-brown deer

Word Forms

23 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`H2543-09`	הַ/חֲמ֔וֹר	hachamor	`HTd/Ncbsa`	the donkey	the male donkey	the male donkey	18
`H2543-02`	חֲמֹ֣ר	chamor	`HNcbsc`	donkey	male donkey	male donkey	18
`H2543-21`	וַ/חֲמֹרִ֔ים	vachamorim	`HC/Ncbpa`	and donkeys	and male donkeys	and male donkeys	8
`H2543-07`	חֲמֹרִ֔ים	chamorim	`HNcbpa`	of donkeys	male donkeys	male donkeys	7
`H2543-18`	וַ/חֲמ֔וֹר	vachamor	`HC/Ncbsa`	and donkey	and a male donkey	and a male donkey	7
`H2543-10`	הַ/חֲמֹרִ֖ים	hachamorim	`HTd/Ncbpa`	the donkeys	the male donkeys	the male donkeys	6
`H2543-08`	חֲמֹר֔/וֹ	chamoro	`HNcbsc/Sp3ms`	his donkey	his male donkey	his male donkey	5
`H2543-23`	וְ/הַ/חֲמוֹר֙	vehachamor	`HC/Td/Ncbsa`	and the donkey	and the male donkey	and the male donkey	4
`H2543-01`	בַּֽ/חֲמֹרִים֙	bachamorim	`HRd/Ncbpa`	on donkeys	on the male donkeys	on the male donkeys	3
`H2543-04`	חֲמֹרֵי/הֶּ֑ם	chamoreyhem	`HNcbpc/Sp3mp`	their donkeys	their male donkeys	their male donkeys	3
`H2543-22`	וַ/חֲמֹר֔/וֹ	vachamoro	`HC/Ncbsc/Sp3ms`	and his donkey	and his male donkey	and his male donkey	2
`H2543-12`	לַ/חֲמֹֽרֵי/הֶֽם	lachamoreyhem	`HR/Ncbpc/Sp3mp`	for their donkeys	to their male donkeys	to their male donkeys	2
`H2543-15`	לַ/חֲמֹר֖/וֹ	lachamoro	`HR/Ncbsc/Sp3ms`	to his donkey	to his male donkey	to his male donkey	2
`H2543-19`	וַ/חֲמֹרֶ֔/ךָ	vachamorekha	`HC/Ncbsc/Sp2ms`	and-your-donkey	and your male donkey	and your male donkey	2
`H2543-14`	לַ/חֲמוֹרִ֑ים	lachamorim	`HRd/Ncbpa`	to the donkeys	to the male donkeys	to the male donkeys	1
`H2543-16`	וּ/בַ/חֲמֹ֖ר	uvachamor	`HC/R/Ncbsa`	and with a donkey	and with a male donkey	and with a donkey	1
`H2543-20`	וַ/חֲמֹרֵי/הֶֽם	vachamoreyhem	`HC/Ncbpc/Sp3mp`	and their donkeys	and their male donkeys	and their male donkeys	1
`H2543-03`	חֲמֹֽרְ/ךָ֙	chamorekha	`HNcbsc/Sp2ms`	your donkey	your male donkey	your donkey	1
`H2543-05`	חֲמוֹרֵי/כֶ֖ם	chamoreykhem	`HNcbpc/Sp2mp`	donkeys-your	your male donkeys	your male donkeys	1
`H2543-17`	וּ/בַ/חֲמֹרִ֑ים	uvachamorim	`HC/Rd/Ncbpa`	and for the donkeys	and in the male donkeys	and for the donkeys	1
`H2543-13`	לַ/חֲמוֹרֵ֔י/נוּ	lachamoreynu	`HR/Ncbpc/Sp1cp`	for our donkeys	our male donkeys	for our male donkeys	1
`H2543-06`	חֲמֹרֵֽי/נוּ	chamoreynu	`HNcbpc/Sp1cp`	our donkeys	our male donkeys	our male donkeys	1
`H2543-11`	לַ/חֲמ֑וֹר	lachamor	`HRd/Ncbsa`	for the donkey	to the male donkey	for the male donkey	1

Occurrences in Scripture

96 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`H2543-21`	Genesis 12:16	וַ/חֲמֹרִ֔ים	vachamorim	`HC/Ncbpa`	and donkeys	and male donkeys	and male donkeys
`H2543-08`	Genesis 22:3	חֲמֹר֔/וֹ	chamoro	`HNcbsc/Sp3ms`	his donkey	his male donkey	his male donkey
`H2543-09`	Genesis 22:5	הַ/חֲמ֔וֹר	hachamor	`HTd/Ncbsa`	the donkey	the male donkey	the male donkey
`H2543-21`	Genesis 24:35	וַ/חֲמֹרִֽים	vachamorim	`HC/Ncbpa`	and donkeys	and male donkeys	and male donkeys
`H2543-21`	Genesis 30:43	וַ/חֲמֹרִֽים	vachamorim	`HC/Ncbpa`	and donkeys	and male donkeys	and male donkeys
`H2543-18`	Genesis 32:6	וַ/חֲמ֔וֹר	vachamor	`HC/Ncbsa`	and donkey	and a male donkey	and a male donkey
`H2543-04`	Genesis 34:28	חֲמֹרֵי/הֶּ֑ם	chamoreyhem	`HNcbpc/Sp3mp`	their donkeys	their male donkeys	their male donkeys
`H2543-10`	Genesis 36:24	הַ/חֲמֹרִ֖ים	hachamorim	`HTd/Ncbpa`	the donkeys	the male donkeys	the male donkeys
`H2543-04`	Genesis 42:26	חֲמֹרֵי/הֶ֑ם	chamoreyhem	`HNcbpc/Sp3mp`	their donkeys	their male donkeys	their male donkeys
`H2543-15`	Genesis 42:27	לַ/חֲמֹר֖/וֹ	lachamoro	`HR/Ncbsc/Sp3ms`	to his donkey	to his male donkey	to his male donkey
`H2543-06`	Genesis 43:18	חֲמֹרֵֽי/נוּ	chamoreynu	`HNcbpc/Sp1cp`	our donkeys	our male donkeys	our male donkeys
`H2543-12`	Genesis 43:24	לַ/חֲמֹֽרֵי/הֶֽם	lachamoreyhem	`HR/Ncbpc/Sp3mp`	to their donkeys	to their male donkeys	to their male donkeys
`H2543-20`	Genesis 44:3	וַ/חֲמֹרֵי/הֶֽם	vachamoreyhem	`HC/Ncbpc/Sp3mp`	and their donkeys	and their male donkeys	and their male donkeys
`H2543-08`	Genesis 44:13	חֲמֹר֔/וֹ	chamoro	`HNcbsc/Sp3ms`	his donkey	his male donkey	his male donkey
`H2543-07`	Genesis 45:23	חֲמֹרִ֔ים	chamorim	`HNcbpa`	donkeys	male donkeys	male donkeys
`H2543-17`	Genesis 47:17	וּ/בַ/חֲמֹרִ֑ים	uvachamorim	`HC/Rd/Ncbpa`	and for the donkeys	and in the male donkeys	and for the donkeys
`H2543-02`	Genesis 49:14	חֲמֹ֣ר	chamor	`HNcbsc`	is a donkey	male donkey	male donkey
`H2543-09`	Exodus 4:20	הַ/חֲמֹ֔ר	hachamor	`HTd/Ncbsa`	the donkey	the male donkey	the male donkey
`H2543-01`	Exodus 9:3	בַּֽ/חֲמֹרִים֙	bachamorim	`HRd/Ncbpa`	on the donkeys	on the male donkeys	on the male donkeys
`H2543-02`	Exodus 13:13	חֲמֹר֙	chamor	`HNcbsa`	donkey	male donkey	male donkey
`H2543-22`	Exodus 20:17	וַ/חֲמֹר֔/וֹ	vachamoro	`HC/Ncbsc/Sp3ms`	or his donkey	and his male donkey	and his male donkey
`H2543-02`	Exodus 21:33	חֲמֽוֹר	chamor	`HNcbsa`	a donkey	male donkey	male donkey
`H2543-02`	Exodus 22:3	חֲמ֛וֹר	chamor	`HNcbsa`	donkey	male donkey	male donkey
`H2543-02`	Exodus 22:8	חֲ֠מוֹר	chamor	`HNcbsa`	donkey	male donkey	male donkey
`H2543-02`	Exodus 22:9	חֲמ֨וֹר	chamor	`HNcbsa`	donkey	male donkey	male donkey
`H2543-08`	Exodus 23:4	חֲמֹר֖/וֹ	chamoro	`HNcbsc/Sp3ms`	his donkey	his male donkey	his male donkey
`H2543-02`	Exodus 23:5	חֲמ֣וֹר	chamor	`HNcbsc`	donkey	male donkey	male donkey
`H2543-19`	Exodus 23:12	וַ/חֲמֹרֶ֔/ךָ	vachamorekha	`HC/Ncbsc/Sp2ms`	and-your-donkey	and your male donkey	and your male donkey
`H2543-02`	Exodus 34:20	חֲמוֹר֙	chamor	`HNcbsa`	of a donkey	male donkey	male donkey
`H2543-02`	Numbers 16:15	חֲמ֨וֹר	chamor	`HNcbsa`	donkey	male donkey	male donkey
`H2543-10`	Numbers 31:28	הַ/חֲמֹרִ֖ים	hachamorim	`HTd/Ncbpa`	the donkeys	the male donkeys	the male donkeys
`H2543-10`	Numbers 31:30	הַ/חֲמֹרִ֥ים	hachamorim	`HTd/Ncbpa`	the-donkeys	the male donkeys	the male donkeys
`H2543-21`	Numbers 31:34	וַ/חֲמֹרִ֕ים	vachamorim	`HC/Ncbpa`	and donkeys	and male donkeys	and male donkeys
`H2543-21`	Numbers 31:39	וַ/חֲמֹרִ֕ים	vachamorim	`HC/Ncbpa`	and donkeys	and male donkeys	and male donkeys
`H2543-21`	Numbers 31:45	וַ/חֲמֹרִ֕ים	vachamorim	`HC/Ncbpa`	and donkeys	and male donkeys	and male donkeys
`H2543-19`	Deuteronomy 5:14	וַ/חֲמֹֽרְ/ךָ֜	vachamorekha	`HC/Ncbsc/Sp2ms`	nor your donkey	and your male donkey	and your male donkey
`H2543-22`	Deuteronomy 5:21	וַ/חֲמֹר֔/וֹ	vachamoro	`HC/Ncbsc/Sp3ms`	and his donkey	and his male donkey	and his male donkey
`H2543-15`	Deuteronomy 22:3	לַ/חֲמֹר֗/וֹ	lachamoro	`HR/Ncbsc/Sp3ms`	with his donkey	to his male donkey	to his male donkey
`H2543-02`	Deuteronomy 22:4	חֲמ֨וֹר	chamor	`HNcbsc`	donkey	male donkey	male donkey
`H2543-16`	Deuteronomy 22:10	וּ/בַ/חֲמֹ֖ר	uvachamor	`HC/R/Ncbsa`	and with a donkey	and with a male donkey	and with a donkey
`H2543-03`	Deuteronomy 28:31	חֲמֹֽרְ/ךָ֙	chamorekha	`HNcbsc/Sp2ms`	your donkey	your male donkey	your donkey
`H2543-18`	Joshua 6:21	וַ/חֲמ֖וֹר	vachamor	`HC/Ncbsa`	and donkey	and a male donkey	and a male donkey
`H2543-08`	Joshua 7:24	חֲמֹר֨/וֹ	chamoro	`HNcbsc/Sp3ms`	his donkey	his male donkey	his male donkey
`H2543-12`	Joshua 9:4	לַ/חֲמ֣וֹרֵי/הֶ֔ם	lachamoreyhem	`HR/Ncbpc/Sp3mp`	for their donkeys	to their male donkeys	to their male donkeys
`H2543-09`	Joshua 15:18	הַ/חֲמ֑וֹר	hachamor	`HTd/Ncbsa`	the donkey	the male donkey	the male donkey
`H2543-09`	Judges 1:14	הַ/חֲמ֑וֹר	hachamor	`HTd/Ncbsa`	the donkey	the male donkey	the male donkey
`H2543-18`	Judges 6:4	וַ/חֲמֽוֹר	vachamor	`HC/Ncbsa`	or donkey	and a male donkey	and a male donkey
`H2543-02`	Judges 15:15	חֲמ֖וֹר	chamor	`HNcbsa`	of a donkey	male donkey	male donkey
`H2543-09`	Judges 15:16	הַ/חֲמ֔וֹר	hachamor	`HTd/Ncbsa`	of the donkey	the male donkey	the male donkey
`H2543-09`	Judges 15:16	הַ/חֲמ֔וֹר	hachamor-2	`HTd/Ncbsa`	of the donkey	the male donkey	the male donkey
`H2543-07`	Judges 19:3	חֲמֹרִ֑ים	chamorim	`HNcbpa`	of donkeys	male donkeys	male donkeys
`H2543-07`	Judges 19:10	חֲמוֹרִים֙	chamorim	`HNcbpa`	of donkeys	male donkeys	male donkeys
`H2543-13`	Judges 19:19	לַ/חֲמוֹרֵ֔י/נוּ	lachamoreynu	`HR/Ncbpc/Sp1cp`	for our donkeys	our male donkeys	for our male donkeys
`H2543-14`	Judges 19:21	לַ/חֲמוֹרִ֑ים	lachamorim	`HRd/Ncbpa`	to the donkeys	to the male donkeys	to the male donkeys
`H2543-09`	Judges 19:28	הַ/חֲמ֔וֹר	hachamor	`HTd/Ncbsa`	the donkey	the male donkey	the male donkey
`H2543-05`	1 Samuel 8:16	חֲמוֹרֵי/כֶ֖ם	chamoreykhem	`HNcbpc/Sp2mp`	donkeys-your	your male donkeys	your male donkeys
`H2543-18`	1 Samuel 12:3	וַ/חֲמ֧וֹר	vachamor	`HC/Ncbsc`	or donkey	and a male donkey	and a male donkey
`H2543-02`	1 Samuel 15:3	חֲמֽוֹר	chamor	`HNcbsa`	donkey	male donkey	male donkey
`H2543-02`	1 Samuel 16:20	חֲמ֥וֹר	chamor	`HNcbsa`	a donkey	male donkey	male donkey
`H2543-18`	1 Samuel 22:19	וַ/חֲמ֛וֹר	vachamor	`HC/Ncbsa`	and donkey	and a male donkey	and a male donkey
`H2543-10`	1 Samuel 25:18	הַ/חֲמֹרִֽים	hachamorim	`HTd/Ncbpa`	the donkeys	the male donkeys	the male donkeys
`H2543-09`	1 Samuel 25:20	הַ/חֲמ֗וֹר	hachamor	`HTd/Ncbsa`	the donkey	the male donkey	the male donkey
`H2543-09`	1 Samuel 25:23	הַ/חֲמ֑וֹר	hachamor	`HTd/Ncbsa`	the donkey	the male donkey	the male donkey
`H2543-09`	1 Samuel 25:42	הַ/חֲמ֔וֹר	hachamor	`HTd/Ncbsa`	the donkey	the male donkey	the male donkey
`H2543-21`	1 Samuel 27:9	וַ/חֲמֹרִ֤ים	vachamorim	`HC/Ncbpa`	and donkeys	and male donkeys	and male donkeys
`H2543-07`	2 Samuel 16:1	חֲמֹרִ֜ים	chamorim	`HNcbpa`	of donkeys	male donkeys	donkeys
`H2543-10`	2 Samuel 16:2	הַ/חֲמוֹרִ֨ים	hachamorim	`HTd/Ncbpa`	the donkeys	the male donkeys	the male donkeys
`H2543-09`	2 Samuel 17:23	הַ/חֲמ֗וֹר	hachamor	`HTd/Ncbsa`	the donkey	the male donkey	the male donkey
`H2543-09`	2 Samuel 19:27	הַ/חֲמ֨וֹר	hachamor	`HTd/Ncbsa`	the-donkey	the male donkey	the male donkey
`H2543-08`	1 Kings 2:40	חֲמֹר֔/וֹ	chamoro	`HNcbsc/Sp3ms`	donkey	his male donkey	his male donkey
`H2543-09`	1 Kings 13:13	הַ/חֲמ֑וֹר	hachamor	`HTd/Ncbsa`	the donkey	the male donkey	the male donkey
`H2543-09`	1 Kings 13:13	הַ/חֲמ֔וֹר	hachamor-2	`HTd/Ncbsa`	the donkey	the male donkey	the male donkey
`H2543-09`	1 Kings 13:23	הַ/חֲמ֔וֹר	hachamor	`HTd/Ncbsa`	the donkey	the male donkey	the male donkey
`H2543-23`	1 Kings 13:24	וְ/הַ/חֲמוֹר֙	vehachamor	`HC/Td/Ncbsa`	and the donkey	and the male donkey	and the male donkey
`H2543-09`	1 Kings 13:27	הַ/חֲמ֑וֹר	hachamor	`HTd/Ncbsa`	the donkey	the male donkey	the male donkey
`H2543-18`	1 Kings 13:28	וַֽ/חֲמוֹר֙	vachamor	`HC/Ncbsa`	and the donkey	and a male donkey	and a male donkey
`H2543-09`	1 Kings 13:28	הַ/חֲמֽוֹר	hachamor	`HTd/Ncbsa`	the donkey	the male donkey	the male donkey
`H2543-09`	1 Kings 13:29	הַ/חֲמ֖וֹר	hachamor	`HTd/Ncbsa`	the donkey	the male donkey	the male donkey
`H2543-02`	2 Kings 6:25	חֲמוֹר֙	chamor	`HNcbsa`	of a donkey	male donkey	male donkey
`H2543-04`	2 Kings 7:7	חֲמֹ֣רֵי/הֶ֔ם	chamoreyhem	`HNcbpc/Sp3mp`	donkeys	their male donkeys	their male donkeys
`H2543-23`	2 Kings 7:10	וְ/הַ/חֲמ֣וֹר	vehachamor	`HC/Td/Ncbsa`	and the donkeys	and the male donkey	and the male donkey
`H2543-18`	Isaiah 1:3	וַ/חֲמ֖וֹר	vachamor	`HC/Ncbsa`	and donkey	and a male donkey	and a male donkey
`H2543-02`	Isaiah 21:7	חֲמ֖וֹר	chamor	`HNcbsa`	donkeys	male donkey	male donkey
`H2543-23`	Isaiah 32:20	וְ/הַ/חֲמֽוֹר	vehachamor	`HC/Td/Ncbsa`	and the donkey	and the male donkey	and the male donkey
`H2543-02`	Jeremiah 22:19	חֲמ֖וֹר	chamor	`HNcbsa`	of a donkey	male donkey	male donkey
`H2543-07`	Ezekiel 23:20	חֲמוֹרִים֙	chamorim	`HNcbpa`	of donkeys	male donkeys	male donkeys
`H2543-02`	Zechariah 9:9	חֲמ֔וֹר	chamor	`HNcbsa`	a donkey	male donkey	male donkey
`H2543-23`	Zechariah 14:15	וְ/הַ/חֲמ֔וֹר	vehachamor	`HC/Td/Ncbsa`	and of the donkey	and the male donkey	and of the donkey
`H2543-11`	Proverbs 26:3	לַ/חֲמ֑וֹר	lachamor	`HRd/Ncbsa`	for the donkey	to the male donkey	for the male donkey
`H2543-02`	Job 24:3	חֲמ֣וֹר	chamor	`HNcbsc`	donkey	male donkey	male donkey
`H2543-07`	Ezra 2:67	חֲמֹרִ֕ים	chamorim	`HNcbpa`	donkeys	male donkeys	male donkeys
`H2543-07`	Nehemiah 7:68	חֲמֹרִ֕ים	chamorim	`HNcbpa`	donkeys	male donkeys	male donkeys
`H2543-10`	Nehemiah 13:15	הַ/חֲמֹרִ֟ים	hachamorim	`HTd/Ncbpa`	donkeys	the male donkeys	the male donkeys
`H2543-21`	1 Chronicles 5:21	וַ/חֲמוֹרִ֖ים	vachamorim	`HC/Ncbpa`	and donkeys	and male donkeys	and male donkeys
`H2543-01`	1 Chronicles 12:41	בַּ/חֲמוֹרִ֣ים	bachamorim	`HRd/Ncbpa`	on donkeys	on the male donkeys	on the male donkeys
`H2543-01`	2 Chronicles 28:15	בַּ/חֲמֹרִים֙	bachamorim	`HR/Ncbpa`	on donkeys	on the male donkeys	on the male donkeys

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