chemarim Summary and Overview

black, (Zeph. 1:4; rendered "idolatrous priests" in 2 Kings 23:5, and "priests" in Hos. 10:5). Some derive this word from the Assyrian Kamaru, meaning "to throw down," and interpret it as describing the idolatrous priests who prostrate themselves before the idols. Others regard it as meaning "those who go about in black," or "ascetics."

In Zephaniah 1:4 distinct from "the priests," from chamar "to burn" or "blacken," the black-attired ministers of the idol priests, who felled the victim at the altar. Or they were named from branding idol marks on their foreheads, idol fanatics. Others derive it from chmar "to resound," namely, their howling during the rites. Josiah put them down (2 Kings 23:5 margin; Hosea 10:5). The root in Syriac is "to be sad": an ascetic priest.