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חֲנֻכָּה

𐤇𐤍𐤊𐤄

chănukkâh

H2598 noun

SILEX Entry

Root חנך to dedicate, to initiate, to consecrate

Definition

The act or process of dedicating, specifically the formal setting apart of a structure, altar, or object for sacred use; an inauguration or initiation into a new sacred function. Used primarily for the ceremonial dedication of buildings (especially altars and temples), marking their readiness for ritual and communal use. In extended contexts, may refer to ceremonies of consecration or initiation into a particular state or function.

Semantic Range

dedication (of altar, temple, wall), inauguration ceremony, consecration, formal initiation of a sacred object or space

Root / Etymology

From the root חנך (ḥ-n-k), which means 'to dedicate, consecrate, initiate.' The noun חֲנֻכָּה (ḥanukkâh) denotes the act, process, or ceremony of dedicating or inaugurating something for sacred purposes. The form is a nominal pattern signifying the result or event of the action.

Historical & Contextual Notes

חֲנֻכָּה appears chiefly in reference to formal religious dedications, such as the inauguration of the altar (Numbers 7:10–88), the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 12:27), and the re-dedication of the Temple after its desecration in the post-biblical Hasmonean period (origin of the festival known as Hanukkah). In the monarchic period, it frequently described the act of bringing a new altar or temple into sacred service. Unlike related terms such as קָדַשׁ (to make holy, set apart), which emphasize the state of holiness, חֲנֻכָּה highlights the ceremonial process of public dedication, typically accompanied by communal rites and offerings. In later tradition (Second Temple, post-biblical), חֲנֻכָּה came to denote a specific festival commemorating the re-dedication of the Second Temple, a sense not yet present in the Hebrew Bible itself. English translations usually render the term as 'dedication,' but may not fully capture the formality and communal dimension associated with the Hebrew term.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from חָנַךְ; initiation, i.e. consecration; dedicating(-tion).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

חנך (ḥ-n-k) — dedicate, initiate, consecrate

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2441 חֵךְ her palate
H2585 חֲנוֹךְ Dedicated one
H2593 חָנִיךְ his initiated men
H2596 חָנַךְ he dedicated it
H2597 חֲנֻכָּא dedication of

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2598-02 חֲנֻכַּ֣ת chanukat HNcfsc at the dedication dedication of 5
H2598-04 וּ/בַ/חֲנֻכַּ֞ת uvachanukat HC/R/Ncfsc And at the dedication and in the dedication-of 1
H2598-01 חֲנֻכָּ֤ה chanukah HNcfsa the dedication dedication ceremony 1
H2598-03 לַ/חֲנֻכַּ֖ת lachanukat HR/Ncfsc for the dedication for dedication-of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

8 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2598-02 Numbers 7:10 חֲנֻכַּ֣ת chanukat HNcfsc dedication of dedication of
H2598-03 Numbers 7:11 לַ/חֲנֻכַּ֖ת lachanukat HR/Ncfsc for the dedication for dedication-of
H2598-02 Numbers 7:84 חֲנֻכַּ֣ת chanukat HNcfsc dedication_of dedication of
H2598-02 Numbers 7:88 חֲנֻכַּ֣ת chanukat HNcfsc was the dedication dedication of
H2598-02 Psalms 30:1 חֲנֻכַּ֖ת chanukat HNcfsc at the dedication dedication of
H2598-04 Nehemiah 12:27 וּ/בַ/חֲנֻכַּ֞ת uvachanukat HC/R/Ncfsc And at the dedication and in the dedication-of
H2598-01 Nehemiah 12:27 חֲנֻכָּ֤ה chanukah HNcfsa the dedication dedication ceremony
H2598-02 2 Chronicles 7:9 חֲנֻכַּ֣ת chanukat HNcfsc dedication dedication of
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