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חֲגָו

𐤇𐤂𐤅

chăgâv

H2288 noun

SILEX Entry

Root חגו to take refuge, to seek shelter, to hide

Definition

A crevice, fissure, or cleft in rocks, particularly as a natural hiding place or place of shelter. The term is used to describe physical gaps, especially those suitable for concealment in a rocky landscape. It can refer broadly to small caves, hollows, or cracks in stone.

Semantic Range

cleft, fissure, crevice in rocks, small cave, hidden recess, place of refuge in stone

Root / Etymology

From a root חגה or חגו, meaning 'to take refuge' or 'to hide,' though the exact morphological root is uncertain and does not occur elsewhere in Biblical Hebrew. The form חֲגָו (chăgâv) is a feminine noun built from this root, denoting the result or place of refuge (i.e., the cleft itself).

Historical & Contextual Notes

חֲגָו is a rare word, attested only in poetic or elevated prose contexts (e.g., Song of Songs 2:14; Isaiah 19:17). In these passages, it often connotes a protected or concealed space, ideal for hiding or seeking security, especially in the face of danger. It can be contrasted with other terms for caverns or rock shelters, such as מְעָרָה (me‘arah, 'cave'), which signifies a larger or more enclosed space. The notion of protection or refuge is prominent, with the term’s use sometimes emphasizing intimacy or secrecy rather than size. Greek and English translations sometimes use 'cleft' or 'hole,' though these may not fully capture the nuance of a protective, obscured retreat. In later Hebrew, the root does not survive, and the word is not used as a standard term for geological features.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from an unused root meaning to take refuge; a rift in rocks; cleft.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

חגו (ḥ-g-w) — take refuge, seek shelter, hide

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2288-01 בְּ/חַגְוֵ֣י bechagevey HR/Ncmpc in the clefts in clefts of 2
H2288-02 בְ/חַגְוֵי vechagevey HR/Ncmpc in the clefts in refuge-clefts of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2288-01 Jeremiah 49:16 בְּ/חַגְוֵ֣י bechagevey HR/Ncmpc in the clefts in clefts of
H2288-02 Obadiah 1:3 בְ/חַגְוֵי vechagevey HR/Ncmpc in the clefts in refuge-clefts of
H2288-01 Song of Songs 2:14 בְּ/חַגְוֵ֣י bechagevey HR/Ncmpc in the clefts in clefts of
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