חוּשׁ
𐤇𐤅𐤔
chûwsh
H2363 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To hurry, hasten, or move swiftly, with emphasis on speed of action or response; can refer to physical movement, making something happen quickly, or displaying eagerness or promptness. The verb can also describe urgency, whether positive (eager readiness) or negative (fearful haste), depending on the context.
Semantic Range
to hurry, hasten, move quickly, act with urgency, be eager or zealous, rush, act in fear or excitement, urge to occur soon
Root / Etymology
From the root חוש, which indicates rapid physical or metaphorical movement. The verb form חוּשׁ (chûsh) reflects the core action of moving quickly or acting promptly. No widely-attested etymological connections outside Hebrew; related Semitic forms may similarly express swiftness.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, חוּשׁ most often denotes physical swiftness or the act of hurrying, such as in situations requiring prompt action or urgency (e.g., Psalms 55:9; Isaiah 5:19). In poetic and narrative usage, it may also convey readiness or eagerness rather than mere speed, and sometimes appears in appeals or commands for urgent divine intervention. The nuance ranges from positive (zealous or decisive action) to negative (rashness or fear-driven haste). English translations like "hasten" or "make haste" capture the general sense, but may not reflect the full range from eagerness to fear. The term is not associated with cultural or institutional concepts of speed, but with an immediate or intense response to circumstances.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to hurry; figuratively, to be eager with excitement or enjoyment; (make) haste(-n), ready.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
חוש (ḥ-w-sh) — to hurry, be swift, move quickly, act promptly
Word Forms
13 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2363-05 |
ח֖וּשָׁ/ה | chushah | HVqv2ms/Sh |
hasten | Hurry! | 8 |
H2363-11 |
יָחִֽישׁ | yachish | HVhi3ms |
be shaken | he will cause to hurry | 1 |
H2363-01 |
אָחִ֣ישָׁה | achishah | HVhh1cs |
let me hurry | let me hasten | 1 |
H2363-03 |
חָ֥שׁ | chash | HVqrmsa |
swooping | he hurried | 1 |
H2363-07 |
חֻשִׁ֗ים | chushim | HVqsmpa |
hastily | Swift-ones | 1 |
H2363-09 |
וַ/תַּ֖חַשׁ | vatachash | HC/Vqw3fs |
or hastens | and she hurried | 1 |
H2363-08 |
הֵחִ֔ישׁוּ | hechishu | HVhp3cp |
hastened | they hastened | 1 |
H2363-04 |
חַ֭שְׁתִּי | chasheti | HVqp1cs |
I hastened | I hurried | 1 |
H2363-10 |
וְ/חָ֖שׁ | vechash | HC/Vqq3ms |
and hastens | and he hurried | 1 |
H2363-02 |
אֲחִישֶֽׁ/נָּה | achishenah | HVhi1cs/Sp3fs |
I will hasten it | I will hasten her | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
20 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2363-07 |
Numbers 32:17 | חֻשִׁ֗ים | chushim | HVqsmpa |
hastily | Swift-ones |
H2363-10 |
Deuteronomy 32:35 | וְ/חָ֖שׁ | vechash | HC/Vqq3ms |
and hastens | and he hurried |
H2363-08 |
Judges 20:37 | הֵחִ֔ישׁוּ | hechishu | HVhp3cp |
hastened | they hastened |
H2363-05 |
1 Samuel 20:38 | ח֖וּשָׁ/ה | chushah | HVqv2ms/Sh |
Hasten | Hurry! |
H2363-12 |
Isaiah 5:19 | יָחִ֛ישָׁ/ה | yachishah | HVhi3ms/Sh |
let him hasten it | he will hasten |
H2363-11 |
Isaiah 28:16 | יָחִֽישׁ | yachish | HVhi3ms |
be shaken | he will cause to hurry |
H2363-02 |
Isaiah 60:22 | אֲחִישֶֽׁ/נָּה | achishenah | HVhi1cs/Sp3fs |
I will hasten it | I will hasten her |
H2363-03 |
Habakkuk 1:8 | חָ֥שׁ | chash | HVqrmsa |
swooping | he hurried |
H2363-05 |
Psalms 22:20 | חֽוּשָׁ/ה | chushah | HVqv2ms/Sh |
hasten | Hurry! |
H2363-05 |
Psalms 38:23 | ח֥וּשָׁ/ה | chushah | HVqv2ms/Sh |
hasten | Hurry! |