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חוֹחַ

𐤇𐤅𐤇

chôwach

H2336 noun

SILEX Entry

Root חוּחַ to pierce, to prick, to be sharp

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.

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

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Root Family

חוח (ḥ-w-ḥ) — to pierce, to prick, to be sharp

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2337 חָוָח and in the thorny hollows
H2397 חָח restraining hooks

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

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

Occurrences in Scripture

11 total occurrences

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