The Chemarim (also spelled Chemarims) are mentioned only once in the Bible, in Zephaniah 1:4 which states: “I will stretch out my hand against Judah and against all who live in Jerusalem. I will destroy every remnant of Baal worship in this place, the very names of the idolatrous priests.”
The Hebrew word translated as “Chemarim” refers to idolatrous priests or pagan priests. The Chemarim were most likely priests who served false gods and led the people of Judah astray into idolatrous practices. Some key things to know about the Chemarim:
- They were pagan priests who promoted idol worship and false gods rather than worship of the one true God Yahweh.
- The name Chemarim comes from the Hebrew word meaning “to be black.” This likely referred to the black garments they wore.
- They served at the “high places” where idols were worshipped, leading improper sacrificial rites.
- The Chemarim proliferated during the reign of evil King Manasseh who erected idols and altars to false gods (2 Kings 21:1-9).
- King Josiah destroyed the high places of the Chemarim during his religious reforms (2 Kings 23:4-5).
- The Chemarim were likely priests of Baal, Ashtoreth, Molech, Chemosh, and other false gods.
- God condemned the Chemarim through the prophets Jeremiah and Zephaniah for leading the people astray.
- Zephaniah 1:4 shows God’s judgment would fall on the idolatrous Chemarim for their great wickedness.
In summary, the Chemarim were pagan priests who promoted the worship of false gods and idols within the kingdom of Judah. Their idolatrous practices provoked the Lord to anger. The prophets pronounced God’s judgment on these wicked priests who led the people away from the true faith. Zephaniah 1:4 shows that the Chemarim would be cut off and destroyed as part of God’s punishment on the nation of Judah for its apostasy and unfaithfulness to the covenant.
1. The Pagan Background of the Chemarim
The Chemarim were pagan idol priests part of the false religious system that had infiltrated Judah. To understand the Chemarim, we must comprehend the pagan background they came from.
When Israel entered Canaan, they failed to drive out all the inhabitants of the land as God had instructed. As a result, they intermingled and adopted some of the religious practices of the Canaanites who worshipped a host of false gods under the leadership of priests known as the Chemarim.
The cultic worship of Canaan included horrific practices like child sacrifice, shrine prostitution, and occult rituals forbidden by God. The Canaanite religion venerated fertility gods like Baal, Asherah, and Molech seeking agricultural prosperity and reproductive success.
As the Israelites mingled with the pagans around them, they began adopting their profane religious customs and tolerating their immoral priests. The Chemarim from the Canaanite cults found a foothold in Israelite society and infiltrated even into God’s temple.
Several wicked kings like Manasseh actively promoted the Chemarim and erected idols in high places of worship hosting priests who led the people into idolatrous practices. This adoption of Canaan’s pagan religion provoked God to anger and resulted in judgment.
2. The Idolatrous Practices of the Chemarim
The Chemarim served as priests promoting idol worship and led the people into wicked religious practices prohibited by God. Their role involved these idolatrous activities:
- Serving at pagan shrines and temples dedicated to false gods like Baal
- Leading worship ceremonies like libations, sacrifices, and ritual sex acts to honor Canaanite deities
- Condoning and encouraging practices like self-mutilation, prostitution, and child sacrifice
- Presiding over cultic poles and idols used in prohibited worship of false gods
- Performing occult rituals like divination, sorcery, and necromancy
- Distorting or nullifying God’s laws and requiring exclusive devotion to Canaanite deities
- Deceiving the people through omens, dreams, visions to gain influence and wealth
- Endorsing fertility cults and sexual magic aiming to manipulate the gods
The Chemarim served as intermediaries between deities and people using rituals to appease and manipulate the gods. Their focus was serving Canaanite religion in contradiction to proper worship of Yahweh. These wicked priests endorsed activities provoking God’s judgment.
3. The Black Garments of the Chemarim
The name Chemarim comes from a Hebrew word meaning “to be black.” This likely referred to the black garments worn by these pagan priests in their service of false gods.
The Bible condemns wearing black robes in cultic worship. Zephaniah 1:8 criticizes those who wear “foreign apparel” linked to idolatrous practices. The dark clothing of the Chemarim aligned them with spiritual darkness and death.
Likewise, Revelation 6:12 associates the blackening of the sun with judgment coming on the earth. The black garb of the Chemarim being associated with funeral rites and occult practices.
Donning sinister black robes, the Chemarim looked the part of evil sorcerers flaunting their idolatrous service. Their choice of clothing mirrored the spiritual wickedness of their hearts and pagan activities.
4. The Chemarim Serving at the High Places
The Chemarim primarily operated at the high places setup by disobedient kings to facilitate idol worship in Judah. These elevated altars and shrines hosted the pagan rituals led by the Chemarim.
The books of Kings criticize righteous kings for failing to remove the high places allowing them to remain centers of false religious practice (1 Kings 15:14, 22:43). The high places were loci of pagan worship and idolatry within the Promised Land.
Wicked King Manasseh actively promoted the Chemarim installing them at high place shrines and constructing idols for them to lead worship of (2 Kings 21:3). Ahaz and other kings encouraged their proliferation.
King Josiah destroyed the high places as part of his religious reforms removing this infrastructure supporting the Chemarim (2 Kings 23:8). But their lingering influence continued to lead people astray.
5. The Gods Served by the Chemarim
The exact gods served by the Chemarim are not specified. But they likely included common Canaanite deities like Baal, Asherah, Molech, and Chemosh.
Baal was a chief fertility god energizing storms, agriculture, and reproduction. Asherah was a mother goddess and consort to El associated with trees and fertility.
Molech was a cruel god honored by the sacrifice of children burned alive. Chemosh was the vicious Moabite national deity.
The Chemarim served this pantheon of gods using vulgar means to earn their favor. Their rituals focused on manipulating the gods to achieve prosperity and fertility for the land.
But this came at the cost of endorsing child murder, sexual immorality, and profane practices God condemned. The wicked character of these false gods was reflected in the Chemarim who served them.
6. The Judgment of God Against the Chemarim
The idolatrous Chemarim provoked God to fierce anger because of how they led His people astray. Their endorsement of evil practices kindled His judgment.
The Bible records how God poured out punishment on the Chemarim and their followers. Josiah destroyed their high places and idols (2 Kings 23:20). Jeremiah condemned the Chemarim burning their idols (Jeremiah 52:17).
Zephaniah 1:4 declares God will “cut off” the Chemarim and destroy all remnants of idol worship in Judah. Their status as priests would not excuse them from God’s wrath against sin.
In judgment, God may use human agents like Josiah to exact justice on the Chemarim. But even if men spare them, God Himself will avenge their wickedness in the severest terms.
The Chemarim provoked God’s fury and faced obliteration for misleading His people. No false priest escapes the judgment of the one true and living God whose name they blasphemed.
7. The Influence of King Manasseh on the Chemarim
The proliferation of the Chemarim reached its peak during the 55-year reign of Judah’s most wicked king, Manasseh. He actively promoted pagan religion and the Chemarim.
Manasseh reversed the reforms of his father Hezekiah, reestablishing idolatrous worship. He constructed altars to false gods in God’s temple and set up Asherah poles (2 Kings 21:3, 7).
He made his son pass through fire, endorsed witchcraft and omens, consulted mediums, and multiplied Chemarim priests promoting spiritual adultery (2 Kings 21:6, 16).
Because of Manasseh’s sins, God promised to wipe out Judah just as he removed Israel (2 Kings 21:10-15). Manasseh’s Chemarim-fueled apostasy sealed Judah’s doom.
Though Manasseh repented late in life, the influence of his idolatry and Chemarim remained. And his reintroduction of paganism could not be fully reversed by later reforming kings like Josiah.
8. Contrasting the Chemarim with Levitical Priests
The Chemarim directly opposed God’s endorsed priesthood – the Levites. Whereas the Chemarim served false gods, the Levites served the one true God according to His laws.
The Levites made offerings, wore sacred garments, taught God’s word, conducted affairs of the tabernacle and temple, and facilitated people’s worship of Yahweh.
In contrast, the Chemarim operated illegitimate shrines, wore dark occult apparel, taught spiritual lies, served profane gods using vulgar means, and led people into wickedness.
Theirs was a counterfeit priesthood seeking to replace the legitimate mediatory role of Levites between God and men. They led people away from Yahweh vs drawing them near to Him.
The wicked character of the Chemarim is cast in sharper relief when contrasted with the holy consecration of the Levites unto the Lord.
9. Destruction of the Chemarim Under King Josiah
The religious reforms of King Josiah from 622-609 BC included purging the Chemarim pagan priests from Judah.
Josiah destroyed the high places of worship erected by Manasseh and other kings to facilitate idolatry (2 Kings 23:8). He slaughtered the pagan priests who served at these unlawful shrines.
He burned the Asherah poles used in the Chemarim’s rituals and defiled their altars of false worship (2 Kings 23:11-14). He slaughtered the priestly mediums and sorcerers endorsed by Manasseh.
Josiah sought to eradicate the Chemarim and their infrastructure that promoted idolatry. He reestablished centralized worship in Jerusalem and restored the Passover (2 Kings 23:21-23).
Though Judah’s destruction was still imminent due to Manasseh’s provocations, Josiah’s reforms removed the sinister spiritual influence of the Chemarim.
10. The Chemarim as a Warning Against Idolatry
The negative example of the Chemarim provides a lasting warning about the dangers of idolatry. Their story reminds us to:
- Avoid intermingling with pagans and adopting their profane practices
- Reject all idol worship and false religious systems
- Remove any trace of idolatry from our midst
- Beware charismatic leaders who promote spiritual adultery
- Stay faithful to God’s word and law despite surrounding pressures
- Maintain ethical integrity lest we provoke God’s judgment
If not for the contamination introduced by the Chemarim, Judah may have avoided God’s wrath. Their story is a cautionary tale urging us to shun all idolatry.
God remains provoked to anger by those who lead His people into spiritual adultery through idol-worship. We must test all spirits and cling to what is good and true.
The Chemarim incurred God’s fierce judgment for their role as false priests. We must learn from their example to remain faithful to the one true God and His word – steering clear of all idolatry in our midst.