חָקָה
to carve; by implication, to delineate; also to entrench
Definition
The Hebrew verb חָקָה (châqâh) primarily means 'to carve' or 'to engrave,' often referring to the act of cutting into a hard surface to create a design or inscription. By extension, it can mean 'to delineate' or 'to portray,' as in creating a detailed representation or image, such as the carved cherubim and palm trees on temple doors (1 Kings 6:35) or the idolatrous images seen in a vision (Ezekiel 8:10). In a metaphorical sense, it is used in Job 13:27 to describe God 'marking' or 'inscribing' a boundary around Job's feet, picturing confinement or limitation.
Biblical Usage
This verb is used only four times in the Old Testament, primarily in contexts involving detailed artistic or idolatrous imagery. In 1 Kings 6:35, it describes the skilled carving of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers on the doors of Solomon's temple. In Ezekiel, it appears twice for portraying idolatrous figures: the 'creeping things and abominable beasts' on a temple wall (Ezekiel 8:10) and the images of Chaldean men on a wall (Ezekiel 23:14). The usage in Job 13:27 is unique, employing the verb metaphorically for setting a limit or mark.
Etymology
It is a primitive root, with a core meaning related to cutting or engraving. Cognates in other Semitic languages support the sense of inscribing or decreeing. The root is distinct from חָקַק (châqaq, H2710), which often relates to inscribing laws or decrees, while חָקָה focuses more on the physical act of carving or portraying figures.
Semantic Range
This word is significant for understanding biblical depictions of sacred and idolatrous art. In 1 Kings, it describes the God-ordained craftsmanship for the temple, showing that artistic representation, when directed by God, can honor Him. Conversely, in Ezekiel, the same verb describes the detestable idolatrous images that provoke God's jealousy and judgment. The metaphorical use in Job highlights God's sovereign control and the boundaries He sets for human life. Understanding this range clarifies the biblical view of imagery, from divinely sanctioned beauty to prohibited idolatry.
In the ancient Near East, carving was a primary method for creating durable art and inscriptions on wood, stone, or metal. The skilled craftsmanship described in 1 Kings reflects a high cultural value on detailed, symbolic art for religious spaces. The portrayals in Ezekiel mirror the widespread pagan practice of carving images of deities and mythological creatures on walls, which Israel was commanded to reject. The concept of 'marking' in Job may allude to the practice of setting boundary stones.
פָּסַל (pâsal, H6458) — to hew, carve stone; often used for idol-making. חָרַת (chârath, H2787) — to engrave, incise; commonly used for writing on tablets. חָקַק (châqaq, H2710) — to inscribe, decree; often used for laws and boundaries.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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