Chemarim

Zephaniah 1:4  "I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, and the name of the Chemarim with the priests."

The original Hebrew word for Chemarim is kamar ( כָּמָר ) and is found in the Old Testament in  3 places.  (See also 2 Kings 23:5 and Hosea 10.5). The word is plural, and the primitive root of kamar means to intertwine, shrivel (as in to shrink), be affected as in passion or piety, or to be black.

Chemarim (kamar) also occurs in ancient Phoenician, Palmyrene, Nabataea, Akkadian and Egyptian texts. The Elephantine Jews used the word to describe the Egyptian priest of Khnum. And, in the Amarna Letters,  the word appears in the form of Kamiru.

In the Bible, the word is used to identify a certain class of Baal priests. But when it comes to understanding who and what these chemarim priests were, scholarly opinion is divided.
 
Dr. Karl F. Keil (1807-1888) in his "Handbuch der Biblischen Archaologie - Commentary in loco" stated that the term chemarim should not be applied to all priests of Baal, but rather its application be limited to those priests, as appointed by the Kings of Judah, to officiate in the worship rituals practiced in the high places for Baal, and also for the idolatrous worship of Jehovah.

Wilhelm Gesenius (1786-1842) the Orientalist-Historian, believed that the word chemarim as derived from 'kamar', meant to be burned. And, it also meant to be sad. He believed the name of these priests referred to the black garments worn by priests, such as in mourning or other specific dark rites.
​
Kiel, in his argument with Gesenius' conclusions, said that since neither the priests of heathen idols or of the high places were ascetics or monks, and that in ancient times the priests from India to Gaul wore robes of white, and whenever possible these white robes were of a brilliant white, thus chemarim (kamar) could not be applied to black robe wearing priests.

"The Bible and It's Story" - 1908; by Charles F. Horne (1870-1942)
Princeton Theological Library

Some other opinions:

From John W. Parker: "Chemarims were an order of priests of Baal, probably so called from wearing black garments while sacrificing; or as others think, because they painted their faces black." (Bible Cyclopedia or Illustrations of the Civil and Natural History of the Sacred Writings – Vol 1. p.274. Published in London, 1841.)
 
From John Gill: "Some take them (chemarim) to be a sort of servants or ministers to the priests of Baal who waited on the priests at the time of service; and so are distinguished from them (priests of Baal) in this (text) clause. The Vulgate Latin version renders it, the name of sextons with the priests." (Exposition of the Old Testament in Six Volumes – Commentary on Zeph.1:4. 6 vols., Published 1748–1763.)
 
From Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset, and David Brown: "Chemarims were idol priests who had not reached the age of puberty; meaning ministers of the gods. This is the same name as the *Tyrian Camilli…and is interchangeable. (The Hebrew root kamar means “black”; from the black garments which they wore or the marks which they branded on their foreheads.)" (Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible. - Commentary on Zephaniah 1:4; First publication, 1871.) (*Tyrian Camilli – see Servius on Aeneid, Book 11, p.543, 558.)
 
Historical Experiences:

From Julius Caesar: "Throughout all Gaul there are two orders of those men who are of any rank and dignity...one is that of the Druids, the other that of the knights. The former are engaged in things sacred, conduct the public and the private sacrifices, and interpret all matters of religion. To these a large number of the young men resort for the purpose of instruction, and they [the Druids] are in great honor among them." ("Caesar's Gallic War. Translator". Translators: W. A. McDevitte  and  W. S. Bohn. 1st Edition.  Published in New York, 1869.)
 
From Rev. Alfred C. Smith: "Soon after a bishop of the Syrian Church attracted our notice; he was clad in violet robes, and wore a violet veil over his face, and he was attended by a priest in black robes, and with a black veil. But I need not enumerate costumes, with which all Eastern travelers, and all readers of Eastern travel, are familiar." ("Narrative of a Modern Pilgrimage Through Palestine on Horseback and with Tents", p.37. Published in London, 1878.)
 
From E. M. Berens: "Aides, who was universally worshipped throughout Greece, had temples erected to his honor in Elis, Olympia, and also at Athens. His sacrifices, which took place at night, consisted of black sheep, and the blood, instead of being sprinkled on the altars or received in vessels, as at other sacrifices, was permitted to run down into a trench, dug for this purpose. The officiating priests wore black robes, and were crowned with cypress." ("The Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece and Rome",  p. 136. Published in London, 1880.)
 
It is most likely that the chemarim were a specific class of Baal priests, serving as apprentices or assistants to the fully initiated priests. They were young, male, and dressed in robes of a distinct color from the older priests. And because the Bible text names them specifically, they held a place of significance or importance in the idolatrous worship of Baal.

The action taking place in this verse is God speaking to Judah and the inhabitants of all Jerusalem. He is enraged at their practice of idolatry and he is promising severe punishment for doing so. In his anger, he has called special attention to His priests who have turned to Baal worship, and have been doing so in His name, and the chemarim who assist them. These two groups were to be utterly destroyed.

Copyright by Ancient Bible History - Eden Games Inc.