Lexical Summary Chuqoq: Chuqoq Original Word: חֻקֹּק Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Hukkok, Hukok Or (fully) Chuwqoq {khoo-koke'}; from chaqaq; appointed; Chukkok or Chukok, a place in Palestine -- Hukkok, Hukok. see HEBREW chaqaq NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom chaqaq Definition a place in Naphtali NASB Translation Hukkok (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs חוִּקֹק proper name, of a location city in Asher 1 Chronicles 6:60 ᵐ5 Ικακ, ᵐ5L Ακωκ; but read probably חָלְקַר ( as Joshua 19:25) q. v. — חֻקֹ֑קָה Joshua 19:34 see below חקק. [חֻקֹֿק] proper name, of a location in tribe of Naphtali, only with ה locative חֻקֹֿ֑קָה Joshua 19:34; identification with Yakûk approximately 4 miles northwest of Lake Tiberias by RobBR iii. 81 SurveyWP i. 365. חוּקֹק proper name, of a location only 1 Chronicles 6:60, probably error for חֶלְקַת (q. v.) Joshua 19:25; Joshua 21:31. חִקֲקֵי see חֹק above Topical Lexicon Biblical Overview Chuqoq (often transliterated “Hukok”) is mentioned twice in the Old Testament. First, it marks a segment of Naphtali’s northern border (Joshua 19:34). Second, it becomes one of the Levitical towns assigned to the Gershonite clan (1 Chronicles 6:75). These two notices place the settlement at the intersection of territorial inheritance and priestly service—a convergence that enriches its theological and historical importance. Geographical Context Situated in the western Upper Galilee, Chuqoq lay near the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee—likely at or near the modern ruin of Khirbet Yakuk. Joshua 19:34 positions it west of the highlands of Naphtali, touching Zebulun to the south and Asher to the west. The location offered fertile soil, ready access to the Via Maris coastal route, and proximity to fishing centers on the lake, making it strategically valuable for agriculture, trade, and defense. “Then the border turned westward to Aznoth Tabor and proceeded from there to Hukkok; it reached to Zebulun on the south, to Asher on the west, and to Judah on the east at the Jordan.” (Joshua 19:34) Levitical Significance When the land was later reorganized for Levitical support, Chuqoq was set apart for the Gershonites, one of the three main Levitical divisions (Numbers 3:17). The Gershonites were charged with the tabernacle’s curtains, coverings, and screens—ministry that highlighted holiness, separation, and accessibility to God. “Hukok with its pasturelands and Rehob with its pasturelands.” (1 Chronicles 6:75) Because Levites owned no tribal allotment of their own (Numbers 18:20), towns such as Chuqoq embodied God’s provision and reminded Israel that worship and instruction must permeate every tribal region. The grazing lands (“pasturelands”) supplied sustenance so that the Gershonites could be free to teach the Law, preserve Israel’s worship, and mediate disputes (2 Chronicles 17:8-9). Historical Developments 1. Tribal Era: As a border marker Chuqoq helped secure Naphtali’s inheritance, reinforcing divine faithfulness in allotting the land. Prophetic and Theological Reflections • Boundary Faithfulness: Chuqoq underscores God’s concern for borders He establishes. Respect for divinely drawn lines—moral, doctrinal, or relational—preserves blessing (Proverbs 22:28). Lessons for Ministry Today 1. Rural and small-town ministry carries strategic kingdom value. Chuqoq reminds leaders to invest where populations may be sparse but influence significant. Key References Joshua 19:34; 1 Chronicles 6:75; Numbers 3:17; Numbers 18:20; 2 Chronicles 17:8-9; Proverbs 22:28; Acts 1:8 Forms and Transliterations חוּקֹ֑קָה חוּקֹק֙ חוקק חוקקה chuKok chuKokah ḥū·qō·qāh ḥū·qōq ḥūqōq ḥūqōqāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 19:34 HEB: וְיָצָ֥א מִשָּׁ֖ם חוּקֹ֑קָה וּפָגַ֨ע בִּזְבֻל֜וּן NAS: from there to Hukkok; and it reached KJV: and goeth out from thence to Hukkok, and reacheth INT: and proceeded there to Hukkok reached to Zebulun 1 Chronicles 6:75 2 Occurrences |
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