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חֵקֶק

𐤇𐤒𐤒

chêqeq

H2711 noun

SILEX Entry

Root חקק to inscribe, to engrave, to decree, to prescribe

Definition

Statute, decree, or regulation issued by an authority; refers to a prescribed enactment or fixed rule, often of ritual, legal, or social significance. In some contexts, it can refer to a concrete decision, a firm resolution, or a specific legislative provision or ordinance. The primary usage is as a formal declaration or regulation with binding force.

Semantic Range

statute, decree, enactment, resolution, prescribed regulation, official ruling, legislative provision

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root חקק, which means 'to inscribe, engrave, prescribe, decree.' The noun חֵקֶק is formed as a concretization of the verbal action, signifying 'that which is written, enacted, or prescribed.' Thus, the term refers specifically to a tangible or formalized decree, as opposed to the broader concept of teaching (תורה) or commandment (מצוה).

Historical & Contextual Notes

Used primarily in poetic and legal texts, often in parallel with חֹק (statute) and מִשְׁפָּט (judgment). In biblical contexts, חֵקֶק is typically encountered in reference to statutes or ordinances, frequently relating to community order, legal requirements, or ritual regulations established by an Israelite authority or presumed divine source. Its use is rare compared to synonyms such as חֹק or חֻקָּה, but when employed, it underscores the fixity and engraved or written character of the decree. Later usage sometimes overlaps with more general ideas of legislation or binding resolution. English translations frequently render it as 'statute' or 'decree,' but may not always capture the sense of being inscribed or officially enacted. There is little evidence for major semantic shift across different periods of biblical literature, though in some late post-exilic texts, the term may take on a more abstract sense of 'legislation' or 'juridical provision.' Contrast with חֹק (fixed ordinance; custom) and חֻקָּה (prescribed statute, rule). The semantic boundary can be fluid, especially in poetry.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from חָקַק; an enactment, a resolution; decree, thought.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

חקק (ḥ-q-q) — inscribe, engrave, decree, prescribe

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2706 חֹק in my prescribed statutes
H2708 חֻקָּה in inscribed statutes of
H2710 חָקַק in his inscribing it
H2712 חֻקֹּק Marked-Out Place

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H2711-01 חִקְקֵי chiqeqey HNcmpc decrees inscribed decrees of decrees of 2

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H2711-01 Judges 5:15 חִקְקֵי chiqeqey HNcmpc resolves inscribed decrees of inscribed decrees of
H2711-01 Isaiah 10:1 חִקְקֵי chiqeqey HNcmpc decrees inscribed decrees of decrees of
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