chachamim

1 of 3
variants or chachomim

plural of chochem

chochem

2 of 3

noun (1)

cho·​chem
ˈḵȯḵəm
plural chachamim
ˌḵäḵäˈmēm
or chachomim
ḵäˈḵȯmim

variant of hakam

plural chachamim
ˌḵäḵäˈmēm
or chachomim
ḵäˈḵȯmim

hakam

3 of 3

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

Noun

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

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Cite this Entry

“Chachamim.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chachamim. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.

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