חׇפְשׁוּת
𐤇𐤐𐤔𐤅𐤕
chophshûwth
H2669 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
State of freedom, particularly the condition of being released from servitude, bondage, or constraint. The term is most often used to describe the legal or social status of a person who is not under compulsion, servitude, or slavery—typically a formerly enslaved individual who has been manumitted. In rare usages, refers to the status of non-obligation or exemption in broader legal terms.
Semantic Range
freedom from servitude, state of being freed, legal liberty, exemption from obligation
Root / Etymology
From the root חפשׁ (ḥ-p-sh), which fundamentally means 'to be free, set free, release.' The noun חָפְשׁוּת (chophshût) is a feminine abstract noun formation from this root, denoting the quality or state of having been set free or being at liberty. A related noun is חָפְשִׁי (chophshi), used adjectivally or substantivally for a 'free person.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Biblical usage, חָפְשׁוּת occurs primarily in legal contexts—especially regarding the status of an Israelite servant or bondperson (e.g., Exodus 21:26-27)—to define the moment or status of being released from obligation or servitude. During the monarchic and later periods, the term retained its association with freedom from personal service, not the modern concept of political liberty. The related word חָפְשִׁי is more common in describing individuals ('freeman') whereas חָפְשׁוּת emphasizes the abstract condition. The shift toward modern meanings of 'freedom' as a political or civic right developed much later, and is not implied in the biblical material. Standard English translations such as 'freedom' or 'liberty' broadly convey the sense but risk being anachronistic if construed as civil rights. Contrast with other terms like דְּרוֹר (dror), which has connotations of proclaiming release (as in Jubilee) and is not strictly a synonym.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
and חׇפְשִׁית; from חָפַשׁ; (with בַּיִת, a hospital); prostration by sickness; several.
Bantu Hebrew
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חפשׁ (ḥ-p-š) — to be free, release, set at liberty
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2669-01 |
הַ/חָפְשִׁ֑ית | hachafeshit | HTd/Ncfsa |
separate | the freedom | 2 |
H2669-02 |
ה/חפשות | hchfshvt | HTd/Ncfsa |
of separation | the freedom | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2669-01 |
2 Kings 15:5 | הַ/חָפְשִׁ֑ית | hachafeshit | HTd/Ncfsa |
the-free | the freedom |
H2669-02 |
2 Chronicles 26:21 | ה/חפשות | hchfshvt | HTd/Ncfsa |
of separation | the freedom |
H2669-01 |
2 Chronicles 26:21 | הַֽ/חָפְשִׁית֙ | hachafeshit | HTd/Ncfsa |
separate | the freedom |