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חוֹחַ

𐤇𐤅𐤇

chôwach

H2336 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A thorn or thorn-bush, referring to plants with sharp, piercing spines. In some contexts, denotes the physical structure of a thorn, and metaphorically may represent difficulties or impediments. Rarely, the term is used by analogy to describe a nose ring, likely referencing its sharp, pointed form.

Semantic Range

thorn, thorn-bush, bramble, thistle, pointed nose ring, source of difficulty or harm (metaphorical)

Root / Etymology

Derived from an unused root believed to carry the core meaning 'to pierce' or 'to prick'. The noun חוֹחַ reflects the idea of a piercing object, hence its association with thorns. The root is not attested elsewhere in Hebrew, and its precise verbal form is not found in the biblical text, but related Semitic cognates (e.g., Aramaic and Arabic) support the meaning 'to pierce/prick'.

Historical & Contextual Notes

חוֹחַ appears in both singular and collective forms in the Hebrew Bible, typically describing wild, uncultivated land overrun with brambles and thorn-bushes (e.g., Proverbs 15:19; Isaiah 34:13). Its use is often in contrast to cultivated land or as a symbol of desolation and abandonment. In a few passages (e.g., Proverbs 26:9), it is metaphorical, representing something harmful or causing injury. The rare use as 'nose ring' (Proverbs 11:22) is by visual analogy to the curved or pointed shape; this sense is not about jewelry in general but specifically references the form resembling a thorn. English translations often lack nuance between similar terms for thorny plants (e.g., קוֹץ, דַּרְדַּר); חוֹחַ in particular may denote thicker, more robust thorns or bushes. Over time, the term acquired a broader metaphorical sense in prophetic and wisdom literature but is uncommon in later Hebrew.

Translation Consistency

primary "thorn" 6 occurrences

Most common and natural English equivalent for חוֹחַ; covers thorn, thorn-bush, bramble/thistle senses and works metaphorically (source of harm). Simple, widely understood, and matches the typical usage across the occurrences.

Alternatives (5 occurrences):
"piercing-thorn" (3x) "briers" (1x) "hooks" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from an unused root apparently meaning to pierce; a thorn; by analogy, a ring forthe nose; bramble, thistle, thorn.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.

Root Family

חוּחַ (chôwach) — to pierce, to prick, to be sharp

Root חוּחַ to pierce, to prick, to be sharp

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H2336-03 הַ/ח֜וֹחַ hachocha HTd/Ncmsa the thistle the thorn the thorn 4
H2336-02 ח֖וֹחַ chocha HNcmsa thistles piercing-thorn piercing-thorn 3
H2336-01 בַּ/חֹחִ֑ים bachochim HRd/Ncmpa with hooks thorn-bushes with hooks 1
H2336-04 הַ/חוֹחִ֔ים hachochim HTd/Ncmpa the thorns the piercing thorns the thorns 1
H2336-05 וּ֝/בְ/ח֗וֹחַ uvechocha HC/R/Ncmsa and in his cheek and in a thorn and in a thorn 1
H2336-06 וָ/ח֖וֹחַ vachocha HC/Ncmsa and-briers piercing thorn and briers 1

Occurrences in Scripture

11 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H2336-03 2 Kings 14:9 הַ/ח֜וֹחַ hachocha HTd/Ncmsa the thistle the thorn the thorn
H2336-03 2 Kings 14:9 הַ/חֽוֹחַ hachocha-2 HTd/Ncmsa the thistle the thorn the thorn
H2336-06 Isaiah 34:13 וָ/ח֖וֹחַ vachocha HC/Ncmsa and-briers piercing thorn and briers
H2336-02 Hosea 9:6 ח֖וֹחַ chocha HNcmsa thorns piercing-thorn piercing-thorn
H2336-02 Proverbs 26:9 ח֭וֹחַ chocha HNcmsa thorn piercing-thorn piercing-thorn
H2336-02 Job 31:40 ח֗וֹחַ chocha HNcmsa thistles piercing-thorn piercing-thorn
H2336-05 Job 40:26 וּ֝/בְ/ח֗וֹחַ uvechocha HC/R/Ncmsa and in his cheek and in a thorn and in a thorn
H2336-04 Song of Songs 2:2 הַ/חוֹחִ֔ים hachochim HTd/Ncmpa the thorns the piercing thorns the thorns
H2336-03 2 Chronicles 25:18 הַ/ח֜וֹחַ hachocha HTd/Ncmsa the thistle the thorn the thorn
H2336-03 2 Chronicles 25:18 הַ/חֽוֹחַ hachocha-2 HTd/Ncmsa the thistle the thorn the thorn
H2336-01 2 Chronicles 33:11 בַּ/חֹחִ֑ים bachochim HRd/Ncmpa with hooks thorn-bushes with hooks
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