Lexical Summary chaqah: To carve, to inscribe, to engrave Original Word: חָקָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance carved work, portrayed, set a print A primitive root; to carve; by implication, to delineate; also to entrench -- carved work, portrayed, set a print. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to cut in, carve NASB Translation carved (1), engraved (1), portrayed (1), set a limit (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs חָקָה verb only Pu`al cut in, carve (Late Hebrew represent, imitate; "" חקק) — Pu`al Participle מְחֻקֶּה 1 Kings 6:35; Ezekiel 8:10 + Ezekiel 23:14 (Co מְחֻקִּים, after ᵐ5 ᵑ6 ᵑ7 ᵑ9), carved figure on wall Ezekiel 8:10; Ezekiel 23:14 (where read אנשׁים מחקים, see above) = substantive carved work 1 Kings 6:35 (on doors of temple). Hithpa`el Imperfect2masculine singular עלשָֿׁרְשֵׁי רַגְלַי תִּתְחַקֶּה Job 13:27 thou gravest thee a graving (= markest a line) for (i.e. about) the soles of my feet, fixest limits for them (see Di). חֻקָּה see below חקק. below Topical Lexicon Meaning and semantic range The word denotes something incised, carved, engraved, or delineated—whether in wood, stone, metal, or pigment. It can point to decorative reliefs approved for sacred architecture or, conversely, to idolatrous images condemned by the prophets. By extension it can describe an imposed mark or imprint that restricts movement. Occurrences 1. 1 Kings 6:35 – ornamental reliefs on the Temple doors. Contextual analysis Temple craftsmanship (1 Kings 6:35) Solomon’s craftsmen “carved cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers”. Here the art is officially sanctioned, executed under prophetic guidance (1 Chronicles 28:11-19). The figures are neither worshiped nor autonomous; they serve as visual theology, reminding Israel of Eden and the cherubic guardians of God’s presence. Personal affliction (Job 13:27) Job laments that God “set a limit for the soles of my feet”. The engraved line symbolizes confinement. The imagery reinforces Job’s sense that divine sovereignty has hemmed him in, yet without impugning God’s justice (Job 13:15). Vision of hidden idolatry (Ezekiel 8:10) Ezekiel discovers “all kinds of crawling creatures and detestable beasts and all the idols of the house of Israel portrayed all around the wall”. The same technical skill that beautified the Temple is now perverted to celebrate unclean animals. The prophet exposes the contradiction between public worship in the courts and secret devotion to engraved abominations (Ezekiel 8:12). Seduction by foreign imagery (Ezekiel 23:14) Oholibah “saw men portrayed on the wall, figures of the Chaldeans, sketched in vermilion”. The bright vermilion outlines captivate Judah’s imagination and foster political-spiritual adultery. The passage warns that visual culture can shape affections and alliances, echoing the ban on coveting foreign kingship (Deuteronomy 17:14-16). Theological implications 1. Art in worship is permissible when it serves revelation rather than replacing it (compare Exodus 25:18 with Exodus 20:4). Ministry application • Encourage artists to direct craftsmanship toward the glory of God and the edification of the church (Colossians 3:23). Forms and Transliterations הַמְּחֻקֶּֽה׃ המחקה׃ מְחֻקֶּ֣ה מְחֻקֶּ֥ה מחקה תִּתְחַקֶּֽה׃ תתחקה׃ ham·mə·ḥuq·qeh hammechukKeh hamməḥuqqeh mə·ḥuq·qeh mechukKeh məḥuqqeh tiṯ·ḥaq·qeh titchakKeh tiṯḥaqqehLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Kings 6:35 HEB: מְיֻשָּׁ֖ר עַל־ הַמְּחֻקֶּֽה׃ NAS: evenly applied on the engraved work. KJV: fitted upon the carved work. INT: evenly on the engraved Job 13:27 Ezekiel 8:10 Ezekiel 23:14 4 Occurrences |
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