2354. Chur
Lexical Summary
Chur: Hur

Original Word: חוּר
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Chuwr
Pronunciation: khoor
Phonetic Spelling: (khoor)
KJV: Hur
NASB: Hur
Word Origin: [the same as H2353 (חוּר - white) or H2352 (חוּר חוּר - Hole)]

1. Chur, the name of four Israelites and one Midianite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Hur

The same as chuwr or chuwr; Chur, the name of four Israelites and one Midianite -- Hur.

see HEBREW chuwr

see HEBREW chuwr

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from chavar
Definition
four Isr., also a Midianite
NASB Translation
Hur (15).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
II. חוּר proper name, masculine (meaning dubious; compare Nabataean proper name חורו Nö in Eutp. 45) —

1 ᵐ5 Ωρ, named with Aaron as compan. of Moses Exodus 17:10,12; Exodus 24:14 (all E).

2 ᵐ5 Ωρ, a Judahite Exodus 31:2 = Exodus 35:30, compare Exodus 38:22 (all P) 1 Chronicles 2:19,20,50 (on divinity of verse see Be VB); also 1 Chronicles 4:1,4; 2Chronicles 1:5.

3 ᵐ5 Ουρ, a king of Midian Numbers 31:8; Joshua 13:21 (both P).

4 ᵐ5L Εουρ (B omitted) head of fam. of returned exiles Nehemiah 3:9.

5 בֶּןחֿוּר officer of Solomon 1 Kings 4:8, see below בֵּן p. 122.

III. חוּר = חֻר see below III. חרר.

Topical Lexicon
Hur as Supporter of Moses

Hur first appears during Israel’s battle with Amalek. “Aaron and Hur held his hands up, one on each side, so that his hands remained steady until sunset” (Exodus 17:12). The scene exhibits complementary leadership: Moses intercedes, Joshua fights, and Hur, a lay leader, silently sustains. Scripture thus presents Hur as a model of steadfast assistance, showing that victory often hinges on unseen faithfulness rather than public prominence.

Hur Entrusted with Civil Authority

When Moses ascended Mount Sinai, he said to the elders, “Aaron and Hur are with you; whoever has a dispute can go to them” (Exodus 24:14). Hur therefore functioned as a provisional judge, illustrating that the covenant community required reliable men to maintain order while prophetic leadership communed with God. His paired mention with Aaron underscores his recognized wisdom and integrity among the people.

Grandfather of Bezalel: Artisan Heritage

The Lord declared, “See, I have called by name Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah” (Exodus 31:2; cf. 35:30; 38:22; 2 Chronicles 1:5). Through Hur’s line God raised up the chief craftsman of the tabernacle. Spiritual gifting, craftsmanship, and administrative skill thus run in a family grounded in service. Hur’s faith evidently left a legacy that equipped Bezalel for Spirit-filled artistry at the heart of Israel’s worship.

Hur in Judah’s Ancestry

Hur is listed among Judah’s principal descendants (1 Chronicles 4:1). Genealogies trace him as “the firstborn of Ephrathah” and “father of Bethlehem” (1 Chronicles 2:50; 4:4). This connection links Hur to the town later celebrated as David’s city and the birthplace of Jesus Christ. The mention affirms continuity between patriarchal faithfulness and redemptive history.

Caleb’s Son and Clan Leader

Caleb son of Hezron married Ephrath, “who bore him Hur” (1 Chronicles 2:19–20). Caleb’s zeal at Kadesh-barnea arguably shaped Hur’s own commitment. The clan of Hur became prominent in Judah, producing leaders, artisans, and administrators across centuries.

Post-Exilic Descendants

During wall-building under Nehemiah, “Rephaiah son of Hur, ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, repaired the next section” (Nehemiah 3:9). Generations after the exile, Hur’s house still supplied civic leadership devoted to the restoration of God’s people and city, indicating enduring faithfulness.

Midianite King Hur

A different Hur is named among five Midianite kings slain in Moses’ final campaign (Numbers 31:8; echoed in Joshua 13:21). His fall illustrates the fate of powers opposing God’s purposes, providing a sharp contrast to the supportive Israelite Hur. Same name, opposite posture toward God.

Ministry Themes and Lessons

1. Supportive Leadership: Hur’s silent ministry beside Moses teaches that upholding God’s servants is essential kingdom work.
2. Generational Influence: From Hur to Bezalel to Rephaiah, godly legacy shapes worship, craftsmanship, and governance.
3. Covenant Fidelity vs. Opposition: The Israelite Hur flourishes; the Midianite Hur falls. Names alone do not secure blessing—alignment with the Lord does.
4. Bethlehem Connection: Hur’s role as “father of Bethlehem” threads his account into messianic expectation, reminding believers that everyday faithfulness can participate in God’s grand design.

Summary

Hur emerges as a trusted aide, clan founder, and ancestor of skilled and devoted leaders. His account commends steadfast service, highlights the fruit of righteous lineage, and frames a quiet yet vital contribution to Israel’s worship and welfare—a testimony that God honors those who support His work, generation after generation.

Forms and Transliterations
וְח֔וּר וְח֜וּר וְח֥וּר וְחוּר֙ וחור ח֔וּר ח֖וּר חֽוּר׃ חוּר֙ חור חור׃ chur ḥūr veChur wə·ḥūr wəḥūr
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Exodus 17:10
HEB: וּמֹשֶׁה֙ אַהֲרֹ֣ן וְח֔וּר עָל֖וּ רֹ֥אשׁ
NAS: Aaron, and Hur went
KJV: Aaron, and Hur went up
INT: and Moses Aaron and Hur went to the top

Exodus 17:12
HEB: עָלֶ֑יהָ וְאַהֲרֹ֨ן וְח֜וּר תָּֽמְכ֣וּ בְיָדָ֗יו
NAS: on it; and Aaron and Hur supported
KJV: thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up
INT: on and Aaron and Hur supported his hands

Exodus 24:14
HEB: וְהִנֵּ֨ה אַהֲרֹ֤ן וְחוּר֙ עִמָּכֶ֔ם מִי־
NAS: Aaron and Hur are with you; whoever
KJV: unto you: and, behold, Aaron and Hur [are] with you: if any
INT: behold Aaron and Hur you whoever

Exodus 31:2
HEB: אוּרִ֥י בֶן־ ח֖וּר לְמַטֵּ֥ה יְהוּדָֽה׃
NAS: the son of Hur, of the tribe
KJV: the son of Hur, of the tribe
INT: of Uri the son of Hur of the tribe of Judah

Exodus 35:30
HEB: אוּרִ֥י בֶן־ ח֖וּר לְמַטֵּ֥ה יְהוּדָֽה׃
NAS: the son of Hur, of the tribe
KJV: the son of Hur, of the tribe
INT: of Uri the son of Hur of the tribe of Judah

Exodus 38:22
HEB: אוּרִ֥י בֶן־ ח֖וּר לְמַטֵּ֣ה יְהוּדָ֑ה
NAS: the son of Hur, of the tribe
KJV: the son of Hur, of the tribe
INT: of Uri the son of Hur of the tribe of Judah

Numbers 31:8
HEB: צ֤וּר וְאֶת־ חוּר֙ וְאֶת־ רֶ֔בַע
NAS: and Zur and Hur and Reba,
KJV: and Zur, and Hur, and Reba,
INT: and Rekem and Zur and Hur and Reba the five

Joshua 13:21
HEB: צ֤וּר וְאֶת־ חוּר֙ וְאֶת־ רֶ֔בַע
NAS: and Zur and Hur and Reba,
KJV: and Zur, and Hur, and Reba,
INT: and Rekem and Zur and Hur and Reba the princes

1 Chronicles 2:19
HEB: ל֖וֹ אֶת־ חֽוּר׃
NAS: Ephrath, who bore him Hur.
KJV: unto him Ephrath, which bare him Hur.
INT: Ephrath bore Hur

1 Chronicles 2:20
HEB: וְחוּר֙ הוֹלִ֣יד אֶת־
NAS: Hur became the father
KJV: And Hur begat Uri,
INT: Hur became of Uri

1 Chronicles 2:50
HEB: כָלֵ֔ב בֶּן־ ח֖וּר בְּכ֣וֹר אֶפְרָ֑תָה
NAS: The sons of Hur, the firstborn
KJV: the son of Hur, the firstborn
INT: of Caleb the sons of Hur the firstborn of Ephrathah

1 Chronicles 4:1
HEB: חֶצְר֛וֹן וְכַרְמִ֖י וְח֥וּר וְשׁוֹבָֽל׃
NAS: Hezron, Carmi, Hur and Shobal.
KJV: and Carmi, and Hur, and Shobal.
INT: Hezron Carmi Hur and Shobal

1 Chronicles 4:4
HEB: אֵ֤לֶּה בְנֵי־ חוּר֙ בְּכ֣וֹר אֶפְרָ֔תָה
NAS: [were] the sons of Hur, the firstborn
KJV: These [are] the sons of Hur, the firstborn
INT: These the sons of Hur the firstborn of Ephrathah

2 Chronicles 1:5
HEB: אוּרִ֣י בֶן־ ח֔וּר שָׂ֕ם לִפְנֵ֖י
NAS: the son of Hur, had made,
KJV: the son of Hur, had made,
INT: of Uri the son of Hur put before

Nehemiah 3:9
HEB: רְפָיָ֣ה בֶן־ ח֔וּר שַׂ֕ר חֲצִ֖י
NAS: the son of Hur, the official
KJV: the son of Hur, the ruler
INT: Rephaiah the son of Hur the official of half

15 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 2354
15 Occurrences


ḥūr — 10 Occ.
wə·ḥūr — 5 Occ.

2353
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