2436. cheq
Lexical Summary
cheq: Bosom, lap, embrace

Original Word: חֵיק
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: cheyq
Pronunciation: khake
Phonetic Spelling: (khake)
KJV: bosom, bottom, lap, midst, within
NASB: bosom, base, cherishes, lap, arms, bottom, care
Word Origin: [from an unused root, apparently meaning to inclose]

1. the bosom (literally or figuratively)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
bosom, bottom, lap, midst, within

Or cheq {khake}; and chowq {khoke}; from an unused root, apparently meaning to inclose; the bosom (literally or figuratively) -- bosom, bottom, lap, midst, within.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from an unused word
Definition
bosom
NASB Translation
arms (1), base (3), bosom (26), bottom (1), care (1), cherish (1), cherishes (2), lap (2), within (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
[חוק] noun [masculine] bosom, Psalm 74:11 Kt חוקך (but read Qr חֵיקְךָ, see following).

חֵיק, חֵק noun [masculine] bosom (Late Hebrew id.) — absolute חֵיק Ezekiel 43:17; Proverbs 16:33 + Ezekiel 43:13 (Co חיקו, compare ZKW1883, pp. 67ff.; חֵיקֹה DrSm xxxi), חֵק Proverbs 21:14; construct חֵיק 1 Kings 22:35 3t. + Ezekiel 43:14 (Co חיקו) חֵק Proverbs 5:20 (omitted by accident in Baer, compare Stron the passage) Proverbs 17:23 suffix חֵיקִי 1 Kings 3:20; Psalm 89:51; חֵקִי Job 19:27 etc.; elsewhere always plene with suffix; חוקף Kt Psalm 74:11 (Qr חֵיקְךָ); — bosom, specifically

1 of fold of garment, at breast Exodus 4:6 (twice in verse); Exodus 4:7 (3 t. in verse) (all J), Proverbs 6:27; Proverbs 16:33, metaphor of ׳י Psalm 74:11; ׳שֹׁחַד בח Proverbs 21:14 is a hidden reward (concealed in bosom; "" מַתָּן בַּסֵּתֶר); שֹׁחַד טֵחֵק Proverbs 17:23 is a gift secretly given; figurative, requite into bosom Isaiah 65:6,7; Psalm 35:13; Psalm 79:12; Jeremiah 32:18.

2 carry (נָשָׂא) in bosom, Moses the people Numbers 11:12 (JE); Naomi, Ruth's child Ruth 4:16, compare 1 Kings 3:20 (twice in verse); 1 Kings 17:19; ewe lamb 2 Samuel 12:3; Isaiah 40:11 (metaphor); Lamentations 2:12 of infants dying in their mothers' arms; figurative of carrying insults in one's bosom Psalm 89:51 (read probably כְּלִמַּת for כֹּל, see Bi Che).

3 bosom as part of body:

a. external, lie in bosom, of wife שׁככת Micah 7:5, compare 2 Samuel 12:8; concubine Genesis 16:5 (J) compare 1 Kings 1:2; אֵשֶׁת חיק(ךׅ Deuteronomy 13:7; Deuteronomy 28:54, compare also Proverbs 5:20 תְּחַבֵּק חֵק נָכְּרִיָה; אֹישׁ חֵיקָהּ Deuteronomy 28:56.

b. internal, anger resteth כסילים ׳בה Ecclesiastes 7:9; כָּלוּ כִלְֹיתַי בְּחֵקִי Job 19:27 my reins are consumed within me; Job 23:12 (read בְּחֵקִי for מֵחֻקִּי, so ᵐ5 ᵑ9 Ol Me Stu Di) in my breast have I hidden the words of his mouth (compare בְּלִבִּי Psalm 119:11); figurative of interior of chariot 1 Kings 22:35 הרכב ׳ח; of hollow bottom of altar Ezekiel 43:13,14,17 (Sm Rinne; Co Grundeinfassung).

Topical Lexicon
Overview of Meaning in Scripture

חֵיק (cheq) denotes the hollow formed by the arms when bent—the bosom, lap, or fold of a garment. From this literal sense grow rich figurative nuances: intimacy, nurture, possession, concealment, reward, and retribution. Approximately thirty-seven Old Testament occurrences shape a coherent theology of closeness and recompense.

Family Intimacy and Domestic Life

In Genesis 16:5 Sarai speaks of giving Hagar “into your bosom,” expressing exclusive marital privilege. Ruth 4:16 pictures Naomi laying Obed “in her bosom,” a tender scene of adoptive motherhood. The poor man’s ewe-lamb in Nathan’s parable “lay in his bosom” (2 Samuel 12:3), capturing affectionate ownership. Such uses portray the bosom as the normal place where love is both offered and received.

Parental Nurture and Protection

Moses pleads, “Did I conceive all this people? … that You should say to me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries a suckling child’ ” (Numbers 11:12). Isaiah magnifies the Lord’s shepherd-heart: “He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them in His bosom” (Isaiah 40:11). The bosom is thus the seat of gentle custody—parental and divine.

Conjugal Affection

“The wife you embrace” (literally, “the wife of your bosom,” Deuteronomy 13:6) and “Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your futile life” (Ecclesiastes 9:9) assign cheq to marital delight. The Hebrew idiom safeguards covenant fidelity; only the spouse belongs in one’s bosom.

Repository of Secrets and Schemes

A bribe “from the bosom” perverts justice (Proverbs 17:23). Under the cloak the corrupt man hides his payoff, illustrating the bosom as a covert pocket. Likewise, “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD” (Proverbs 16:33). Human plans may sit in the lap, but divine sovereignty overrules.

Seat of Deep Emotion

Job laments, “My heart is in turmoil and cannot rest; days of affliction confront me … My inward parts boil and are not still” (Job 30:27–28). In Hebrew idiom the bosom houses the heart; emotions surge there. Psalm 89:50 prays that reproach “I bear in my bosom” would be remembered by God.

Instrument of Reward and Retribution

Cheq frames the principle of recompense. “Repay our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom” (Psalm 79:12). “You repay the iniquity of fathers into the laps of their children after them” (Jeremiah 32:18). Isaiah: “I will measure into their laps full payment for their former deeds” (Isaiah 65:6-7). Blessing also returns this way: “Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap” (Luke 6:38, echoing the Hebrew concept).

Imagery of Security and Rest

1 Kings 1:2 sought Abishag “that she may lie in your bosom” to warm aged David—a picture of restorative comfort. Lazarus rests “in Abraham’s bosom” (Luke 16:23), continuing the Old Testament sense of serene refuge.

Prophetic and Liturgical Use

Lamentations 2:12 records children crying for bread “as their life pours out in their mothers’ bosom,” dramatizing covenant curses. Conversely, “As one whom his mother comforts, so will I comfort you, and you will be comforted in Jerusalem” (Isaiah 66:13), promising eschatological solace.

Christological Echoes

John 1:18 reveals the Son “who is at the Father’s side” (literally, “in the bosom of the Father”). The Gospel lifts the Old Testament image to its highest fulfillment: the eternal, loving intimacy within the Godhead from which redemption flows.

Ministry Implications

1. Shepherding: Pastors emulate the Lord by gathering lambs into their metaphorical bosom—personal care, sacrificial protection, patient nurture.

2. Marriage Counseling: The exclusivity of the bosom underscores fidelity; any intrusion (Genesis 16:5) breeds conflict.

3. Justice and Integrity: Hidden bribes or secret sins lodged “in the bosom” will inevitably be exposed and repaid.

4. Comfort Ministry: In bereavement the promise of resting in God’s bosom offers profound hope (Isaiah 40:11; Luke 16:23).

Summary

חֵיק threads through Scripture as the locus of closest fellowship and the receptacle of divine recompense. Whether portraying a mother’s tenderness, a spouse’s embrace, secret intentions, or the Lord’s just repayment, the bosom images the nearness in which life is formed and from which blessing or judgment inevitably flows.

Forms and Transliterations
בְ֝חֵיקִ֗י בְּחֵ֥יק בְּחֵיק֑וֹ בְּחֵיקֶ֔ךָ בְּחֵיקָ֑הּ בְּחֵקִֽי׃ בְחֵיקִֽי׃ בְחֵיקֶ֔ךָ בְחֵיקֶ֗ךָ בְחֵיקָ֔הּ בַּ֝חֵ֗ק בַּ֭חֵיק בחיק בחיקה בחיקו בחיקי בחיקי׃ בחיקך בחק בחקי׃ וְהַֽחֵיק־ וְחֵ֨יק וּבְחֵיק֖וֹ וּבְחֵיק֣וֹ וּמֵחֵ֨יק ובחיקו והחיק־ וחיק ומחיק חֵ֖יק חֵ֣ק חֵ֥יק חֵיק֑וֹ חֵיק֔וֹ חֵיקִ֥י חֵיקֶ֔ךָ חֵיקֶ֗ךָ חֵיקָ֑ם חֵיקָ֔הּ חֵיקָֽם׃ חֵֽיקְךָ֣ חיק חיקה חיקו חיקי חיקך חיקם חיקם׃ חק מֵ֭חֵיק מֵֽחֵיק֔וֹ מֵחֵיקָ֗הּ מחיק מחיקה מחיקו ba·ḥêq Bacheik baChek baḥêq bə·ḥê·qāh ḇə·ḥê·qāh bə·ḥê·qe·ḵā ḇə·ḥê·qe·ḵā bə·ḥê·qî ḇə·ḥê·qî bə·ḥê·qōw bə·ḥêq beCheik becheiKah becheiKecha becheiKo becheKi bəḥêq bəḥêqāh ḇəḥêqāh bəḥêqeḵā ḇəḥêqeḵā bəḥêqî ḇəḥêqî bəḥêqōw cheik cheiKah cheiKam cheiKecha cheiKi cheiKo chek ḥê·qāh ḥê·qām ḥê·qe·ḵā ḥê·qə·ḵā ḥê·qî ḥê·qōw ḥêq ḥêqāh ḥêqām ḥêqeḵā ḥêqəḵā ḥêqî ḥêqōw mê·ḥê·qāh mê·ḥê·qōw mê·ḥêq Mecheik mecheiKah mecheiKo mêḥêq mêḥêqāh mêḥêqōw ū·ḇə·ḥê·qōw ū·mê·ḥêq ūḇəḥêqōw umeCheik ūmêḥêq uvecheiKo veCheik vecheiKah vecheiKecha vecheiKi vehacheik wə·ha·ḥêq- wə·ḥêq wəhaḥêq- wəḥêq
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Englishman's Concordance
Genesis 16:5
HEB: נָתַ֤תִּי שִׁפְחָתִי֙ בְּחֵיקֶ֔ךָ וַתֵּ֙רֶא֙ כִּ֣י
NAS: my maid into your arms, but when she saw
KJV: my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw
INT: gave my maid your arms saw for

Exodus 4:6
HEB: נָ֤א יָֽדְךָ֙ בְּחֵיקֶ֔ךָ וַיָּבֵ֥א יָד֖וֹ
NAS: your hand into your bosom. So he put
KJV: now thine hand into thy bosom. And he put
INT: Now your hand your bosom put his hand

Exodus 4:6
HEB: וַיָּבֵ֥א יָד֖וֹ בְּחֵיק֑וֹ וַיּ֣וֹצִאָ֔הּ וְהִנֵּ֥ה
NAS: his hand into his bosom, and when he took
KJV: his hand into his bosom: and when he took
INT: put his hand his bosom took behold

Exodus 4:7
HEB: יָֽדְךָ֙ אֶל־ חֵיקֶ֔ךָ וַיָּ֥שֶׁב יָד֖וֹ
NAS: your hand into your bosom again.
KJV: thine hand into thy bosom again.
INT: your hand into your bosom again his hand

Exodus 4:7
HEB: יָד֖וֹ אֶל־ חֵיק֑וֹ וַיּֽוֹצִאָהּ֙ מֵֽחֵיק֔וֹ
NAS: his hand into his bosom again,
KJV: his hand into his bosom again;
INT: his hand into bosom took of his bosom

Exodus 4:7
HEB: חֵיק֑וֹ וַיּֽוֹצִאָהּ֙ מֵֽחֵיק֔וֹ וְהִנֵּה־ שָׁ֖בָה
NAS: and when he took it out of his bosom, behold,
KJV: and plucked it out of his bosom, and, behold, it was turned again
INT: bosom took of his bosom behold put

Numbers 11:12
HEB: אֵלַ֜י שָׂאֵ֣הוּ בְחֵיקֶ֗ךָ כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר יִשָּׂ֤א
NAS: to me, 'Carry them in your bosom as a nurse
KJV: unto me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing father
INT: to me Carry your bosom which carries

Deuteronomy 13:6
HEB: א֣וֹ ׀ אֵ֣שֶׁת חֵיקֶ֗ךָ א֧וֹ רֵֽעֲךָ֛
NAS: the wife you cherish, or
KJV: or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend,
INT: or the wife cherish or your friend

Deuteronomy 28:54
HEB: בְאָחִיו֙ וּבְאֵ֣שֶׁת חֵיק֔וֹ וּבְיֶ֥תֶר בָּנָ֖יו
NAS: and toward the wife he cherishes and toward the rest
KJV: and toward the wife of his bosom, and toward the remnant
INT: his brother the wife cherishes the rest of his children

Deuteronomy 28:56
HEB: עֵינָהּ֙ בְּאִ֣ישׁ חֵיקָ֔הּ וּבִבְנָ֖הּ וּבְבִתָּֽהּ׃
NAS: toward the husband she cherishes and toward her son
KJV: toward the husband of her bosom, and toward her son,
INT: her eye the husband cherishes her son and daughter

Ruth 4:16
HEB: הַיֶּ֙לֶד֙ וַתְּשִׁתֵ֣הוּ בְחֵיקָ֔הּ וַתְּהִי־ ל֖וֹ
NAS: and laid him in her lap, and became
KJV: and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse
INT: the child and laid her lap and became his nurse

2 Samuel 12:3
HEB: וּמִכֹּס֤וֹ תִשְׁתֶּה֙ וּבְחֵיק֣וֹ תִשְׁכָּ֔ב וַתְּהִי־
NAS: and lie in his bosom, And was like a daughter
KJV: and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.
INT: of his cup and drink his bosom and lie become

2 Samuel 12:8
HEB: נְשֵׁ֤י אֲדֹנֶ֙יךָ֙ בְּחֵיקֶ֔ךָ וָאֶתְּנָ֣ה לְךָ֔
NAS: wives into your care, and I gave
KJV: wives into thy bosom, and gave
INT: wives and your master's your care gave the house

1 Kings 1:2
HEB: סֹכֶ֑נֶת וְשָׁכְבָ֣ה בְחֵיקֶ֔ךָ וְחַ֖ם לַאדֹנִ֥י
NAS: and let her lie in your bosom, that my lord
KJV: him, and let her lie in thy bosom, that my lord
INT: his nurse her lie your bosom may keep my lord

1 Kings 3:20
HEB: יְשֵׁנָ֔ה וַתַּשְׁכִּיבֵ֖הוּ בְּחֵיקָ֑הּ וְאֶת־ בְּנָ֥הּ
NAS: and laid him in her bosom, and laid
KJV: and laid it in her bosom, and laid
INT: slept and laid her bosom son her dead

1 Kings 3:20
HEB: הַמֵּ֖ת הִשְׁכִּ֥יבָה בְחֵיקִֽי׃
NAS: her dead son in my bosom.
KJV: her dead child in my bosom.
INT: her dead and laid my bosom

1 Kings 17:19
HEB: בְּנֵ֑ךְ וַיִּקָּחֵ֣הוּ מֵחֵיקָ֗הּ וַֽיַּעֲלֵ֙הוּ֙ אֶל־
NAS: Then he took him from her bosom and carried
KJV: And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up
INT: your son took her bosom and carried to

1 Kings 22:35
HEB: הַמַּכָּ֖ה אֶל־ חֵ֥יק הָרָֽכֶב׃
NAS: ran into the bottom of the chariot.
KJV: of the wound into the midst of the chariot.
INT: the wound into the bottom of the chariot

Job 19:27
HEB: כָּל֖וּ כִלְיֹתַ֣י בְּחֵקִֽי׃
NAS: My heart faints within me!
KJV: be consumed within me.
INT: faints my heart within

Psalm 35:13
HEB: וּ֝תְפִלָּתִ֗י עַל־ חֵיקִ֥י תָשֽׁוּב׃
NAS: kept returning to my bosom.
KJV: returned into mine own bosom.
INT: and my prayer unto my bosom returning

Psalm 74:11
HEB: [חֹוקְךָ כ] (חֵֽיקְךָ֣ ק) כַלֵּֽה׃
NAS: From within Your bosom, destroy
KJV: pluck [it] out of thy bosom.
INT: your right of bosom destroy

Psalm 79:12
HEB: שִׁ֭בְעָתַיִם אֶל־ חֵיקָ֑ם חֶרְפָּ֘תָ֤ם אֲשֶׁ֖ר
NAS: sevenfold into their bosom The reproach
KJV: sevenfold into their bosom their reproach,
INT: sevenfold into their bosom the reproach which

Psalm 89:50
HEB: עֲבָדֶ֑יךָ שְׂאֵתִ֥י בְ֝חֵיקִ֗י כָּל־ רַבִּ֥ים
NAS: How I bear in my bosom [the reproach of] all
KJV: [how] I do bear in my bosom [the reproach of] all the mighty
INT: of your servants bear my bosom all the many

Proverbs 5:20
HEB: בְזָרָ֑ה וּ֝תְחַבֵּ֗ק חֵ֣ק נָכְרִיָּֽה׃
NAS: And embrace the bosom of a foreigner?
KJV: and embrace the bosom of a stranger?
INT: an adulteress and embrace the bosom alien

Proverbs 6:27
HEB: אִ֓ישׁ אֵ֬שׁ בְּחֵיק֑וֹ וּ֝בְגָדָ֗יו לֹ֣א
NAS: fire in his bosom And his clothes
KJV: fire in his bosom, and his clothes
INT: A man fire his bosom and his clothes not

37 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 2436
37 Occurrences


ba·ḥêq — 1 Occ.
ba·ḥêq — 1 Occ.
bə·ḥêq — 1 Occ.
bə·ḥê·qāh — 1 Occ.
bə·ḥê·qe·ḵā — 3 Occ.
bə·ḥê·qōw — 2 Occ.
bə·ḥê·qî — 1 Occ.
ḥêq — 3 Occ.
ḥê·qāh — 1 Occ.
ḥê·qām — 2 Occ.
ḥê·qe·ḵā — 4 Occ.
ḥê·qî — 1 Occ.
ḥê·qōw — 2 Occ.
ḥêq — 1 Occ.
mê·ḥêq — 1 Occ.
mê·ḥê·qāh — 1 Occ.
mê·ḥê·qōw — 1 Occ.
ū·mê·ḥêq — 1 Occ.
ū·ḇə·ḥê·qōw — 2 Occ.
wə·ḥêq — 1 Occ.
ḇə·ḥê·qāh — 1 Occ.
ḇə·ḥê·qe·ḵā — 2 Occ.
ḇə·ḥê·qî — 2 Occ.
wə·ha·ḥêq- — 1 Occ.

2435
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