Lexical Summary chanukkah: dedication Original Word: חֲנֻכָּה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance dedicatingtion From chanak; initiation, i.e. Consecration -- dedicating(-tion). see HEBREW chanak NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as chek Definition dedication, consecration NASB Translation dedication (7). Brown-Driver-Briggs חֲנֻכָּה noun feminine dedication, consecration, as a matter of usage only P and late (Late Hebrew חֲנוּכָּה Feast of Dedication; so Aramaic חֲנוּכְּתָא) — abs ׳ח Nehemiah 12:27; construct חֲנֻכַּת Numbers 7:10 6t.; dedication of wall of Jerusalem Nehemiah 12:27 (twice in verse), by sacrifices and processions, with music; of altar in temple 2Chronicles 7:9; of 'the house' Psalm 30:1 (title), i.e. the temple (re-dedication by Judas Maccabaeus, 1Macc 4:52ff.), see Ol Bae and others (opposed to De), and especially CheOP 234. 247; = dedication-offering for altar in tabernacle Numbers 7:10 (accusative with וַיַּקְרִיבוּ), compare יַקְרִיבוּ אֶתקָֿרְבָּנָם לַחֲנֻכַּת הַמִּזְבֵּחַ Numbers 7:11, also Numbers 7:84; Numbers 7:88 (all P; see Di Numbers 7:20). Topical Lexicon Meaning and Thematic Range חֲנֻכָּה (chanukkah) denotes the formal dedication or inauguration of something set apart for the service of God. The word embraces the ideas of consecration, joyful celebration, and covenant reaffirmation. Each biblical occurrence highlights a moment when the people of God acknowledge His provision and lordship by setting apart a structure or altar for holy use. Occurrences in Scripture 1. Numbers 7:10 6–7. Nehemiah 12:27 (twice) Dedication of the Wilderness Altar (Numbers 7) When the tabernacle was completed and the altar anointed, the tribal leaders brought offerings “for its dedication” (Numbers 7:10). Over twelve days each leader presented identical gifts, underscoring the unity of the tribes before the Lord. The narrative culminates: “These were the dedication offerings for the altar after it was anointed” (Numbers 7:88). The event models corporate generosity, orderly worship, and the principle that holy service begins with consecration. Dedication of Solomon’s Altar (2 Chronicles 7) At the completion of the first temple, Solomon observed a fourteen-day festival—seven days for the altar’s dedication and seven for the Feast of Tabernacles. “On the eighth day they held a solemn assembly, for the dedication of the altar had lasted seven days and the feast seven days more” (2 Chronicles 7:9). Fire from heaven had just consumed the sacrifices (2 Chronicles 7:1), demonstrating divine approval. The prolonged celebration emphasizes that genuine dedication joins reverence with joyful worship and is grounded in God’s manifest presence. Dedication of the Wall of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 12) After the exile, the rebuilt wall symbolized restored identity and security. “At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, they sought out the Levites … to celebrate the dedication with rejoicing, hymns of thanksgiving, and songs” (Nehemiah 12:27). The word appears twice, first marking the occasion and then describing the manner of celebration. Choirs circled the wall in opposite directions, meeting at the temple for sacrifices and great rejoicing (Nehemiah 12:31–43). This dedication links physical restoration with spiritual renewal and covenant faithfulness. A Psalm for Dedication (Psalm 30) The superscription reads, “A Psalm. A song for the dedication of the temple. Of David.” Though the historical setting is debated, the psalm connects personal deliverance (“You brought me up from Sheol” Psalm 30:3) with corporate worship. Individual gratitude thus feeds into communal dedication, teaching that every act of divine rescue calls for renewed consecration. Theological Motifs • Sanctity of place: Structures used for worship must first be devoted to God. Later Developments and New Testament Echoes The Maccabean rededication of the Second Temple (165 BC) perpetuated the term Hanukkah and is remembered in John 10:22, where Jesus attended “the Feast of Dedication.” While that event lies outside the Old Testament canon, its very name derives from חֲנֻכָּה and continues the biblical pattern of celebrating God’s provision and presence. Ministry Significance Today • Building projects, mission initiatives, and new ministries should be formally devoted to God, following the biblical pattern. חֲנֻכָּה therefore calls every generation to mark God’s gracious acts with wholehearted, joyful dedication, setting apart both places and lives for His exclusive glory. Forms and Transliterations וּבַחֲנֻכַּ֞ת ובחנכת חֲנֻכַּ֖ת חֲנֻכַּ֣ת חֲנֻכָּ֤ה חנכה חנכת לַחֲנֻכַּ֖ת לחנכת chanukKah chanukKat ḥă·nuk·kāh ḥă·nuk·kaṯ ḥănukkāh ḥănukkaṯ la·ḥă·nuk·kaṯ lachanukKat laḥănukkaṯ ū·ḇa·ḥă·nuk·kaṯ ūḇaḥănukkaṯ uvachanukKatLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 7:10 HEB: הַנְּשִׂאִ֗ים אֵ֚ת חֲנֻכַּ֣ת הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ בְּי֖וֹם NAS: offered the dedication [offering] for the altar KJV: offered for dedicating of the altar INT: offered the leaders the dedication the altar when Numbers 7:11 Numbers 7:84 Numbers 7:88 2 Chronicles 7:9 Nehemiah 12:27 Nehemiah 12:27 Psalm 30:1 8 Occurrences |
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