hakam

noun

ha·​kam
variants or haham
ḵäˈḵäm
or less commonly chochem
ˈḵȯḵəm
plural hakamim or hahamim also chachamim or chachomim
ˌḵäḵäˈmēm
1
: one learned in Jewish Law : wise man
specifically, plural : the rabbinical interpreters of biblical law of the first two Christian centuries whose interpretations are recorded in the Mishnah and contemporary works
2
: a title given to a rabbi by the Sephardic Jews

Word History

Etymology

Hebrew ḥākhām wise, wise man; chochem from Yiddish khokhem, from Hebrew ḥākhām

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Cite this Entry

“Hakam.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hakam. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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