Lexical Summary suk: To run to and fro, to go eagerly or quickly Original Word: שׂוּךְ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance fence, make an hedge up A primitive root; to entwine, i.e. Shut in (for formation, protection or restraint) -- fence, (make an) hedge (up). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to hedge or fence up or about NASB Translation hedge (1), made a hedge (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs I. [שׂוּךְ] verb hedge or fence up, about (= II. סוּךְ, q. v.); — Qal Perfect2masculine singular שַׂכְתָּ דַעֲדוֺ Job 1:10 hast fenced him about (protectingly); Participle שָׂךְ Hosea 2:8 will hedge up (obstruct) thy way (accusative). p. 692. Topical Lexicon Concept Overview שׂוּךְ depicts the deliberate act of enclosing, fencing, or hedging about. The imagery is agricultural—constructing thorny barriers to safeguard a field or channel livestock. Scripture employs the verb figuratively for God’s providential protection as well as His corrective restraint. Canonical Occurrences Job 1:10 records Satan’s complaint that God has “hedged” Job, creating a perimeter of blessing and security. Hosea 2:6 portrays the same verb as an instrument of discipline: “Therefore, behold, I will hedge up her way with thorns; I will build a wall against her, so that she cannot find her paths.” These passages unveil a balanced portrait of divine involvement, alternately guarding the righteous and thwarting the wayward. The Hedge as Divine Protection In Job 1:10 the hedge signifies comprehensive guardianship—over person, household, and possessions. It is neither partial nor fragile; it attests to the sovereignty that secures every sphere of life. The text implies that prosperity and safety are not random but stem from intentional divine enclosure. The Hedge as Corrective Restraint Hosea 2:6 shifts the image from security to obstruction. Israel’s unfaithfulness necessitates a barrier of thorns, preventing further pursuit of idols. The painful thicket is mercy in disguise, redirecting the covenant people back to their true Husband. Thus, the same action that shields can also discipline, depending on covenant fidelity. Theological Synthesis 1. Providence and Sovereignty: The hedge symbolizes God’s active governance of human circumstances. Both Job and Israel remain within boundaries set by Him, whether for protection or correction. Ministry Implications • Pastoral Care: Encourages believers to perceive trials as potential hedges guiding them back to dependence on God (compare Hebrews 12:5–11). Related Motifs • Wall of Fire (Zechariah 2:5) – another picture of protective encirclement. Christological Perspective Jesus Christ fulfills the protective hedge by bearing the thorns of judgment (Matthew 27:29). The crown of thorns reverses Hosea’s barrier, opening access to God while simultaneously surrounding His people with salvation (Isaiah 26:1–2). Conclusion שׂוּךְ invites reflection on the dual realities of divine protection and discipline. The believer rests secure within God’s hedge, yet also heeds its thorny edge that directs wandering hearts back to covenant faithfulness. Forms and Transliterations שַׂ֣כְתָּ שָׂ֥ךְ שך שכת sach Sachta śāḵ śaḵ·tā śaḵtāLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 1:10 HEB: (אַ֠תָּה ק) שַׂ֣כְתָּ בַעֲד֧וֹ וּבְעַד־ NAS: Have You not made a hedge about KJV: Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about INT: not you made about about Hosea 2:6 2 Occurrences |
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