חִכָּֽ/הּ

𐤇𐤊/𐤄

chikah

her palate

probably from חָנַךְ in the sense of tasting; properly, the palate or inside of the mouth; hence, the mouth itself (as the organ of speech, taste and kissing); (roof of the) mouth, taste.

H2441

Proverbs 5:3 · Word #8

Lexicon H2441

Lemmaחֵךְ
Lemma (Paleo)𐤇𐤊
Transliterationchêk
Strong'sH2441
In-contexther palate

Morphology HNcmsc/Sp3fs All morphology codes

Part of Speech N — Noun — A person, place, thing, or idea
Subtype c — Common — Common noun
Gender m — Masculine — Masculine
Number s — Singular — Singular
State c — Construct — The noun is bound to the following word

SIBI-P1 H2441-01

her palate; he has earnestly waited

Rootחך / חכה (ḥ-k / ḥ-k-h)
Core Meaningspalate, mouth, tasting; to wait, to tarry, to long for
Semantic RangeNoun: palate, roof of the mouth, taste, speech (as issuing from the mouth). Verb: to wait, to tarry, to hope expectantly, to linger in anticipation.
Conceptual SignificanceAs "palate," the term can symbolize discernment, taste, or speech in biblical poetry. As "earnest waiting," it reflects the posture of hopeful endurance and expectant trust often commended in relation to YHWH’s deliverance.
Morphological Notes1) חִכָּה — noun, common masculine singular construct + 3fs suffix ("her palate"). 2) חִכָּה — Piel perfect 3ms verb from חכה ("he waited intensely/earnestly"). Though spelled alike, they derive from distinct but homographic roots.
Rendering RationaleThe noun form חִכָּה (HNcmsc/Sp3fs) is a masculine singular construct with a 3rd feminine singular suffix, meaning "her palate." The verbal form חִכָּה (HVpp3ms) is Piel perfect 3rd masculine singular from חכה, conveying intensive or earnest action, hence "he has earnestly waited." The renderings preserve both the root sense and the precise grammatical details.

AI-generated (openai/gpt-5.2-chat-latest)

Word Usage (18 occurrences of H2441)

Location Form Transliteration Meaning
Ezekiel 3:26 חִכֶּ֔/ךָ chikekha roof-of-your-mouth
Hosea 8:1 חִכְּ/ךָ֣ chikekha your palate
Psalms 119:103 לְ֭/חִכִּ/י lechiki to my palate