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חָנוּת

𐤇𐤍𐤅𐤕

chânûwth

H2588 noun

SILEX Entry

Root חנה to encamp, to settle, to dwell temporarily

Definition

An enclosed space with an arched or rounded ceiling, typically referring to a cell, chamber, or compartment, often constructed as a secure or private area. In various contexts, it can specifically denote a vault, prison cell, or small room designed for confinement or storage.

Semantic Range

vaulted cell, chamber with an arch, prison cell, private room, enclosed compartment

Root / Etymology

From the root חנה (to encamp, pitch tent, settle), but the lexical derivative here points to a nominal form referring to a constructed, enclosed chamber. The basic meaning of 'encamp' shifts to the built structure where one might dwell or be housed, particularly a small, vaulted space.

Historical & Contextual Notes

חָנוּת appears in later biblical Hebrew (notably Esther 7:8), where it denotes a vaulted structure—specifically, the chamber in the Persian royal palace. Its usage reflects architectural features of the period, such as arched rooms for private purposes or confinement, distinct from more general terms for a house (בָּיִת) or generic room (חֶדֶר). While some translations render it 'gallows' due to the narrative context in Esther, the term properly refers to a vaulted room or cell rather than an instrument of execution. In post-biblical and later rabbinic Hebrew, חָנוּת can refer to a shop or stall (influenced by Aramaic and later usage), but this sense is not present in biblical usage. English translations often obscure the architectural nuance, sometimes overstating its use as 'prison' or 'cabin,' but the term retains an architectural focus on a constructed, arched enclosure. Its distinction from words like בֵּית כֶּלֶא (prison house) or שָׁחַת (pit, dungeon) is significant for understanding its unique connotation in Persian-influenced contexts.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from חָנָה; properly, a vault or cell (with an arch); by implication, a prison; cabin.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

חנה (ḥ-n-h) — to encamp, to settle, to dwell temporarily

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2583 חָנָה to set up camp
H2595 חֲנִית spear
H4264 מַחֲנֶה in the encampment
H4265 מַחֲנֵה־דָן encampment of
H4266 מַחֲנַיִם Two Camps-ward

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H2588-01 הַֽ/חֲנֻ֑יוֹת hachanuyot HTd/Ncfpa the cells the vaulted cells the vaulted cells 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H2588-01 Jeremiah 37:16 הַֽ/חֲנֻ֑יוֹת hachanuyot HTd/Ncfpa the cells the vaulted cells the vaulted cells
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