חֲמֻשִׁים

From the study of Joshua 1:14

Range of meaning

A rare military word, found only four times: Exod 13:18 (Israel went up from Egypt ḥamushîm), Josh 1:14, Josh 4:12, Judg 7:11 (the ḥamushîm at the edge of the Midianite camp). The lexicons (BDB, HALOT) give 'in battle array' / 'in battle formation', but its origin is unclear. Three explanations are offered: (1) from ḥāmēsh, 'five': organized in fifties, or in the five-part army known in later Semitic usage (vanguard, rear, center, two wings; compare Arabic khamīs, 'army'); (2) from ḥōmesh, 'belly, waist': 'girded at the waist', meaning dressed and equipped for action; (3) simply 'organized, equipped for war', whatever its origin.

Against the English

KJV/WEB/BSB 'armed', NASB 'in battle array', YLT 'by fifties'. 'Armed' brings weapons to mind. The Hebrew points more to readiness and organization, troops formed up and equipped. YLT keeps the 'five' root but makes it a precise unit size, which is only one theory.

How it drifted

Not drift so much as an old uncertainty. Ancient translators were already guessing, and each guess passed into later versions.

Used elsewhere in the period

The Septuagint (the ancient Greek translation) renders it at Josh 1:14 with a word meaning 'well-girded, lightly equipped' (euzōnoi) and at 4:12 with 'fully equipped' (diaskeuasmenoi), which supports view (2) or (3). At Exod 13:18 the Septuagint reads it as 'in the fifth generation', taking it from 'five'. The Latin Vulgate and the Aramaic Targum (Onkelos, at Exod 13:18) give 'armed / equipped'.

From the study of Joshua 4:12

Range of meaning

A rare military term found only in Exodus 13:18, Joshua 1:14, Joshua 4:12 and Judges 7:11. It describes troops ready for war. Lexicons offer: 'equipped/armed,' 'drawn up in battle formation,' 'organized in units' (possibly linked to ḥāmēš, 'five,' meaning arranged in five divisions or by fifties), or 'girded' (possibly linked to ḥōmeš, 'belly/midriff,' meaning belted up for action). Everyone agrees on the overall sense: men organized and fit for combat.

Against the English

KJV, ESV and WEB have 'armed.' BSB has 'armed for battle.' NASB has 'in battle array,' and NIV something like 'ready for battle.' YLT has 'by fifties,' following the link with the number five. 'Armed' is accurate in general, but it puts the stress on carrying weapons. The Hebrew word is more about the body of men being organized and fitted out as a fighting force.

How it drifted

Since the word is rare, English versions use the nearest general word, 'armed.' The more specific idea of being drawn up in formation can get lost.

Used elsewhere in the period

In Exodus 13:18 Israel leaves Egypt ḥămušîm. There the Greek Septuagint oddly translates 'in the fifth generation.' The Jewish commentary Mekhilta and Rashi record both 'armed' and a reading built on 'five' (only one in five left Egypt). In Judges 7:11 the word describes the outposts of the Midianite camp. The Septuagint at Joshua 4:12 seems to use a word for 'equipped, prepared' (diaskeuasmenoi). The Latin Vulgate has armati, 'armed.' The Aramaic Targums use a word for 'girded/equipped.' The next verse, Joshua 4:13, uses the parallel ḥălûṣê haṣṣābāʾ, 'stripped-for-action men of the host.' That phrase comes from Moses' own wording in Numbers 32:20–21 and Deuteronomy 3:18. Some scholars also read Numbers 32:17 (ḥušîm, 'hastening') as a variant of this word.