Lexical Summary chanah: To encamp, to pitch tents, to dwell, to rest Original Word: חָנָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance abide in tents, camp, dwell, encamp, grow to an end, lie, pitch tent, rest in tentA primitive root (compare chanan); properly, to incline; by implication, to decline (of the slanting rays of evening); specifically, to pitch a tent; gen. To encamp (for abode or siege) -- abide (in tents), camp, dwell, encamp, grow to an end, lie, pitch (tent), rest in tent. see HEBREW chanan NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to decline, bend down, encamp NASB Translation besieged* (2), camp (25), camped (96), camping (5), coming to an end (1), encamp (3), encamped (3), encamps (2), pitched (2), remained camped (3), Settling (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs חָנָה143 verb decline, bend down, encamp (Aramaic  to aim at, incline towards, reach; Zinjirli מחנת construct camp, Inscription Panammu13. 16. 17; Arabic  bend, curve, bend down; Assyrian mûnu, mênu and tênû, couch, mânîtu, house, ZimBP 44, 45 Dl in Zim117) — Qal Perfect חָנָה 1 Samuel 26:5; Isaiah 29:1; וְחָנִ֫יתִי consecutive Isaiah 29:3; Zechariah 9:8; חָנוּ Numbers 2:34 2t.; וְחָנוּ consecutive Numbers 1:52; Imperfect וַיִּחַן Genesis 26:17 9t.; 3 feminine singular תַּחֲנֶה Psalm 27:3; יַחֲנוּ Numbers 1:50 13t. Numbers + Exodus 14:2: וַיַּחֲנוּ Exodus 13:26 79t. (of which 42 in Numbers 33); וַיַּחֲנוּן Judges 11:18; 2masculine plural תַּחֲנוּ Exodus 14:2; 1plural וַנַּחֲנֶה Ezra 8:15; Imperative חֲנֵה 2 Samuel 12:28; חֲנוּ Numbers 31:19; Jeremiah 50:29; Infinitive חֲנוֺת Judges 19:9; חֲנֹת Numbers 1:51; suffix חֲנֹתֵנוּ Numbers 10:31; חֲנֹתְכֶם Deuteronomy 1:33; Participle חֹנֶה Exodus 18:5; Psalm 34:8; feminine חֹנָה 2 Samuel 23:13; 1 Chronicles 11:15; חֹנָ֑ךְ Psalm 53:6; plural חֹנִים Exodus 14:9 11t.; חוֺנִים Numbers 2:2; Nahum 3:17; — 1 decline, of day drawing to its close חֲנוֺת הַיּוֺם Judges 19:9 ("" ׳רָפָה הַיּ לַעֲרוֺב; also ׳נְטוֺת הַיּ V:8; הַיּוֺם רַד מְאֹד Judges 19:11). 2 encamp (properly verge toward, incline to, settle at, of goal of day's march): — a. of single nomad Genesis 26:17 (J; followed by ב), Genesis 33:18 (E; followed by אֶתפֿני). b. of Israel at Exodus and in wilderness Exodus 13:20 (ב) Exodus 14:2 (לִפְנֵי), Exodus 14:2 (עַל), + approximately 80 t. (Hexateuch chiefly P); also (absolute) Numbers 9:18,20,22,23 compare Ezra 8:15; Nehemiah 11:30 so they encamped (i.e. settled, or were settled) from Beersheba to the valley of Hinnom ("" ישׁבו Nehemiah 11:25). c. of armies: (1) Israel (conquering Canaan, etc.) Joshua 4:19; Joshua 5:10 + often; (2) Philistines 1 Samuel 4:1; 1 Samuel 13:16; 2 Samuel 23:23 +; usually followed by ב location Numbers 10:31; 1 Samuel 4:1; 1 Samuel 13:16; Joshua 4:19; 1 Samuel 13:5 + 63t. (וַיַּחֲנוּ בְ 2 Samuel 24:5 read וַיָּחֵלּוּ מִן ᵐ5L We Dr see חלל); so of locusts in hedges (in simile) Nahum 3:17; also followed by עַל = by, near Exodus 14:2,9; Exodus 15:27; Numbers 1:52; Numbers 2:2,5,12,27; Numbers 3:29,35 (על ירך), Numbers 33:10; Judges 7:1; 1 Samuel 4:1; עלפֿני השׂדה (על in different sense) 2 Samuel 11:11; followed by עַל also = against, encamp with hostile purpose Joshua 10:5,31,34; Judges 6:4; Judges 20:19; 1 Samuel 11:1; 2 Samuel 12:28; 1 Kings 16:15; 2 Kings 25:1; 2Chronicles 32:1; Jeremiah 50:29; Jeremiah 52:4; Psalm 27:3; followed by אֶלֿ in same sense Joshua 11:5; metaphor of God's hostility to apostate Jerusalem (על) Isaiah 29:3; followed by also לְ = at, by Numbers 2:34; Zechariah 9:8; אשׁרשָׁ֗֗֗ם Exodus 18:5; 1 Samuel 26:5; followed by סביב לְ for protection Numbers 1:50,53, compare metaphor Psalm 34:8, but also hostility Job 19:12; also follwed by other prepositions and prepositional phrases, e.g. מֵעֵבֶר Numbers 21:13; מחוץ Numbers 31:19; בין 1 Samuel 17:1; נגד 1 Kings 20:27 etc.; followed by accusative of location 2 Samuel 17:26; followed by suffix accusative with hostile sense חֹנָ֑ךָ Psalm 53:6; without preposition or noun following, in sense of encamp, be or abide in encampment Numbers 9:18,20,22,23; Ezra 8:15; 2 Samuel 11:11 +; poetic of David in Jerusalem, Isaiah 29:1 city in which David fixed his camp. Topical Lexicon Definition of the ConceptThe verb describes the act of pitching a tent, taking up temporary residence, or positioning an army for conflict or protection. Its range of meaning moves from domestic nomadic life to highly organized military deployments and, ultimately, to the gracious protective presence of God Himself. Statistical Overview Approximately one hundred forty-three occurrences span Genesis through Zechariah. The breadth of usage allows Scripture to develop several interconnected themes: covenant pilgrimage, ordered worship, holy warfare, and divine guardianship. Encampment in the Patriarchal Narratives From the earliest pages of Genesis, the fathers “encamped” as they journeyed through Canaan. “So Isaac departed from there and encamped in the Valley of Gerar and settled there” (Genesis 26:17). The word marks a life that is mobile yet tethered to God’s promise. Each campsite becomes a witness-stone: the altar at Shechem (Genesis 12:6–7), Bethel (Genesis 35:1), and the valley of Gerar are reminders that covenant people live as sojourners, awaiting the full inheritance. Israel at Sinai and the Ordered Camp The Exodus narrative multiplies the verb: “After they had set out from Rephidim, they entered the Wilderness of Sinai, and Israel encamped there in front of the mountain” (Exodus 19:2). Chapters 14–19 rehearse a series of specific camping places, underscoring Yahweh’s exact leadership. Numbers 1–4 then arrange the tribes around the tabernacle: “The Israelites are to camp by their divisions, each man in his own camp, under his own standard” (Numbers 1:52). The theology is unmistakable: God dwells at the center; His people form a holy perimeter. Spatial obedience is an act of worship. Guidance in the Wilderness When Hobab hesitates to accompany Israel, Moses pleads, “Please do not leave us, for you know where we should camp in the wilderness” (Numbers 10:31). Even with the pillar of cloud and fire, human leadership serves God’s itinerary. The verb here carries pastoral overtones: discernment, oversight, and collaborative guidance. Conquest and Settlement The Book of Joshua continues the motif. Before Jericho’s fall “the army returned to the camp and spent the night there” (Joshua 6:11). The conquest strategy alternates between movement and encampment, emphasizing preparation, unity, and rest in divine promise. Enemy coalitions likewise “camped at Gibeon to wage war against it” (Joshua 10:5), showing that all nations, willingly or not, operate under the sovereign timetable of God. Military Deployments in the Monarchy In Samuel–Kings, the verb regularly portrays sieges. “The Philistines…camped at Ephes-dammim” (1 Samuel 17:1). Conversely, David trusts, “Though an army encamp against me, my heart will not fear” (Psalm 27:3). The historical books also highlight lapses: Uriah reminds David, “The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in tents, and my master Joab and my lord’s men are camped in the open country” (2 Samuel 11:11). The righteous soldier’s words expose the king’s sin, proving that disregard for the sanctity of the camp leads to moral failure. Judgment and Deliverance Encampment vocabulary frames dramatic interventions. “On that night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down one hundred eighty-five thousand men in the camp of the Assyrians” (2 Kings 19:35). The pattern repeats in later prophecy: “I will camp around My house because of an army” (Zechariah 9:8). God defends His dwelling by surrounding what surrounds His people. Protective Presence The Psalter spiritualizes the term: “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and delivers them” (Psalm 34:7). The word that once defined tribal formations now assures every believer of invisible guardianship. The theology of the camp progresses from tents of goat hair to angelic ranks. Eschatological Resonance Prophets employ the verb to foreshadow both siege and salvation. As divine judgment approaches, nations “encamp” against Jerusalem (Isaiah 29:3), yet the Lord pledges to encamp for her defense (Zechariah 9:8). The tension anticipates the final gathering in Revelation, where the “camp of the saints” is threatened but secured by God’s fiery deliverance (Revelation 20:9, Greek cognate). Spiritual and Pastoral Implications 1. Pilgrimage and Contentment Temporary dwelling reminds believers that “here we do not have a permanent city” (Hebrews 13:14). Every congregation is an orderly camp on pilgrimage to the heavenly Zion. 2. Holiness and Order Numbers insists on purity within the camp (Numbers 5:3). Church discipline and corporate worship mirror this call to maintain a holy environment for the Divine Presence. 3. Divine Protection Psalm 34:7 encourages intercessory prayer that claims God’s surrounding power in times of danger, whether physical, moral, or spiritual. 4. Leadership and Guidance Moses' plea to Hobab models collaborative leadership: pastors and elders prayerfully discern “where we should camp”—when to move, when to wait, how to arrange ministry so that the Lord remains central. 5. Warfare and Confidence Psalm 27:3 equips believers to face opposition without fear, convinced that any hostile encampment is ultimately encircled by the Almighty. Summary Across Genesis to Zechariah, the verb charts the journey of God’s people, situates worship, organizes warfare, and, above all, portrays the LORD as One who both dwells among and encircles His own. The biblical camp is more than a collection of tents; it is a living testimony that God guides, guards, and governs His covenant community from the first patriarchal journey to the consummation of all things. Forms and Transliterations הַֽחוֹנִ֤ים הַחֹנִ֖ים הַחֹנִ֣ים החונים החנים וְהַחֹנִ֣ים וְהַחֹנִ֥ים וְהַחֹנִים֙ וְהַחוֹנִ֥ם וְחָנ֖וּ וְחָנִ֥יתִי וְחָנִ֨יתִי וְיַחֲנוּ֙ וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּן וַֽיַּחֲנ֗וּ וַֽיַּחֲנ֛וּ וַֽיַּחֲנ֞וּ וַֽיַּחֲנ֧וּ וַֽיַּחֲנוּ֙ וַחֲנֵ֥ה וַיִּ֖חַן וַיִּ֙חַן֙ וַיִּ֣חַן וַיִּ֤חַן וַיִּ֥חַן וַיִּ֨חַן וַיִּֽחַן־ וַיַּֽחֲנ֖וּ וַיַּחֲנ֖וּ וַיַּחֲנ֣וּ וַיַּחֲנ֤וּ וַיַּחֲנ֥וּ וַיַּחֲנ֨וּ וַיַּחֲנוּ־ וַנַּחֲנֶ֥ה וּבַחֲנֹת֙ ובחנת והחונם והחנים וחנה וחנו וחניתי ויחן ויחן־ ויחנו ויחנו־ ויחנון ונחנה חֲנ֛וּ חֲנ֤וֹת חֲנ֧וּ חֲנֹתֵ֙נוּ֙ חָנ֤וּ חָנ֥וּ חָנָ֣ה חָנָה־ חֹנִ֔ים חֹנִ֣ים חֹנִ֥ים חֹנֶ֤ה חֹנֶ֥ה חֹנָ֑ךְ חֹנָ֖ה חנה חנה־ חנו חנות חנים חנך חנתנו יַחֲנ֑וּ יַחֲנ֔וּ יַחֲנ֖וּ יַחֲנ֤וּ יַחֲנ֥וּ יַחֲנֽוּ׃ יַחֲנוּ֙ יחנו יחנו׃ לַֽחֲנֹֽתְכֶ֑ם לחנתכם תַּחֲנֶ֬ה תַחֲנ֖וּ תחנה תחנו chanah chaNot chanoTenu chaNu choNach choNah choNeh choNim ha·ḥō·nîm ha·ḥō·w·nîm ḥā·nāh ḥā·nāh- ḥă·nō·ṯê·nū ḥă·nō·wṯ ḥă·nū ḥā·nū hachoNim haḥōnîm haḥōwnîm ḥānāh ḥānāh- ḥănōṯênū ḥănōwṯ ḥănū ḥānū ḥō·nāh ḥō·nāḵ ḥō·neh ḥō·nîm ḥōnāh ḥōnāḵ ḥōneh ḥōnîm la·ḥă·nō·ṯə·ḵem lachanoteChem laḥănōṯəḵem ta·ḥă·neh ṯa·ḥă·nū tachaNeh tachaNu taḥăneh ṯaḥănū ū·ḇa·ḥă·nōṯ ūḇaḥănōṯ uvachaNot vachaNeh vaiyachaNu vaiyachaNun vaiYichan vannachaNeh vechaNiti vechaNu vehachoNim veyachaNu wa·ḥă·nêh waḥănêh wan·na·ḥă·neh wannaḥăneh way·ya·ḥă·nū way·ya·ḥă·nū- way·ya·ḥă·nūn way·yi·ḥan way·yi·ḥan- wayyaḥănū wayyaḥănū- wayyaḥănūn wayyiḥan wayyiḥan- wə·ha·ḥō·nîm wə·ha·ḥō·w·nim wə·ḥā·nî·ṯî wə·ḥā·nū wə·ya·ḥă·nū wəhaḥōnîm wəhaḥōwnim wəḥānîṯî wəḥānū wəyaḥănū ya·ḥă·nū yachaNu yaḥănūLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 26:17 HEB: מִשָּׁ֖ם יִצְחָ֑ק וַיִּ֥חַן בְּנַֽחַל־ גְּרָ֖ר NAS: from there and camped in the valley KJV: departed thence, and pitched his tent in the valley INT: there and Isaac and camped the valley of Gerar Genesis 33:18 Exodus 13:20 Exodus 14:2 Exodus 14:2 Exodus 14:9 Exodus 15:27 Exodus 17:1 Exodus 18:5 Exodus 19:2 Exodus 19:2 Numbers 1:50 Numbers 1:51 Numbers 1:52 Numbers 1:53 Numbers 2:2 Numbers 2:2 Numbers 2:3 Numbers 2:5 Numbers 2:12 Numbers 2:17 Numbers 2:27 Numbers 2:34 Numbers 3:23 Numbers 3:29 143 Occurrences |
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