חִשֻּׁק
conjoined, i.e. a wheel-spoke or rod connecting the hub with the rim
Definition
The Hebrew word חִשֻּׁק (chishshuq) refers to a structural component of a wheel, specifically the curved pieces that connect the hub to the rim. In its single biblical occurrence, it describes the 'felloes' or 'spokes' of the elaborate bronze wheels made for the temple's molten sea (1 Kings 7:33). The term conveys the idea of being 'joined' or 'attached together,' highlighting the wheel's integrated construction. There are no other attested biblical meanings, as it appears only in this technical, descriptive context.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in 1 Kings 7:33, within the detailed description of the furnishings Solomon commissioned for the temple. It appears in a list of specifications for the ten bronze stands and their accompanying basins, focusing on the craftsmanship of their wheels. The usage is purely technical and descriptive, with no figurative or poetic application elsewhere in Scripture.
Etymology
The noun חִשֻּׁק (chishshuq) is derived from the root חָשַׁק (chashaq, H2836), which means 'to be attached to,' 'to join,' or 'to desire.' This root connection emphasizes the component's function of binding or connecting parts together. The nominal form specifically denotes the object that creates this join, fitting its application to the wheel's connecting spokes or felloes.
Semantic Range
In the ancient Near East, wheel-making was a specialized craft. The detailed description in 1 Kings 7:32-33 reflects advanced metallurgy and artistic design, indicating the immense value and sacred care invested in the temple's furnishings. The 'chishshuq' was a vital part of a wheel's stability and function. Modern readers might simply think of a 'wheel,' but the text carefully distinguishes its hub, spokes (chishshuq), rim, and axle, showcasing the precision of the work dedicated to God's house.
אוֹפַן (ophan, H212) — A more general term for 'wheel' itself, not a specific component. גַּלְגַּל (galgal, H1534) — Another common word for 'wheel,' often used for chariot wheels or in poetic contexts (e.g., Ezekiel 10:2).
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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