Lexical Summary chanaq: To strangle, to choke Original Word: חָנַק Strong's Exhaustive Concordance hang self, strangle A primitive root (compare chanak); to be narrow; by implication, to throttle, or (reflex.) To choke oneself to death (by a rope) -- hang self, strangle. see HEBREW chanak NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to strangle NASB Translation killed (1), strangled (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [חָנַק] verb strangle (Late Hebrew id., Aramaic חֲנַק,  ; Arabic  ); — Niph`al Imperfect וַיֵּחָנַ֑ק 2 Samuel 17:23 strangled himself (+וַיָּ֫מָת). Pi`el participle מְחַנֵּק Nahum 2:13 strangle, of lion strangling prey, figurative of Ninevitish king (object not expressed). Topical Lexicon Root Idea and Imagery חָנַק presents the vivid picture of life being cut off by the closing of the throat. Because breath in Scripture is so often linked with God’s own gift of life (for example, Genesis 2:7; Job 33:4), the act of strangling serves as a sobering reversal of creation—life withdrawn instead of imparted. Occurrences in Scripture • 2 Samuel 17:23 records Ahithophel’s suicide: “When Ahithophel saw that his counsel had not been followed, he saddled his donkey, set out for his house in his home city, set his house in order, and hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb.” The verb highlights a deliberate severing of one’s own life when human wisdom is frustrated by the overruling purpose of God. Historical Background Self–hanging or strangulation was known in the ancient Near East, often chosen to avoid shame, capture, or judicial execution. Predatory strangling is also attested in Mesopotamian lion-hunting reliefs, where lions are shown crushing prey to preserve the meat for their own pride. Both contexts underscore the verb’s association with calculation rather than impulse: the counsel of Ahithophel was weighed; the lion’s kill was purposeful. Theological Themes 1. Reversing Divine Breath. When humans usurp God’s prerogative over life, the outcome is disaster—whether personal self-destruction (Ahithophel) or national aggression (Assyria). Christological Connections Matthew 27:5 uses the cognate Greek term for Judas’s suicide, inviting comparison with Ahithophel as another betrayer whose end was self-inflicted strangulation. Both betrayals ultimately advanced God’s redemptive plan: David’s kingdom survived, and the Messiah’s atoning death secured salvation. Pastoral and Ministry Applications • Counsel and Accountability. Trusted advisers must remember that influence without submission to God can become destructive. Ahithophel warns leaders against using giftedness to promote agendas contrary to divine revelation. Related Biblical Concepts – “Breath of life” (Genesis 2:7) highlights God as the source whose gift should not be forfeited lightly. – “Bloodguilt” (Genesis 9:5–6) shows divine reckoning for the shedding of life. – Greek ἀπάγχω in Matthew 27:5 echoes the Hebrew verb, bridging Old and New Testament testimony to the gravity of self-inflicted death. Summary חָנַק is more than a note on method; it is a theological signal that life has been illicitly choked off. Whether by the despairing counselor or the voracious empire, the act stands in stark contrast to the Lord who breathes life and sustains it. The verb therefore calls readers to honor the sanctity of life, trust the wisdom of God over human schemes, and await righteous judgment on all who violently suppress the breath of others. Forms and Transliterations וַיֵּחָנַ֑ק וּמְחַנֵּ֖ק ויחנק ומחנק ū·mə·ḥan·nêq umechanNek ūməḥannêq vaiyechaNak way·yê·ḥā·naq wayyêḥānaqLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Samuel 17:23 HEB: אֶל־ בֵּית֖וֹ וַיֵּחָנַ֑ק וַיָּ֕מָת וַיִּקָּבֵ֖ר NAS: in order, and strangled himself; thus he died KJV: in order, and hanged himself, and died, INT: about his house and strangled died was buried Nahum 2:12 2 Occurrences |
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