חוּד
properly, to tie a knot, i.e. (figuratively) to propound a riddle
Definition
The Hebrew word חוּד (chûwd) is a noun derived from a root meaning 'to tie a knot.' Its primary sense is to propose or propound a riddle, a complex saying that requires interpretation. In the book of Judges, it specifically refers to the riddle Samson presents to the Philistines (Judges 14:12-13, 14:16). In Ezekiel 17:2, the prophet is commanded to 'propound a riddle' to the house of Israel, using it as a vehicle for a symbolic allegory about political intrigue. Thus, the word encompasses both literal puzzles and metaphorical, prophetic pronouncements that conceal deeper meaning.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively four times in the Old Testament, always in the context of presenting a hidden or enigmatic message. In Judges 14, it describes Samson's wedding riddle, a challenge posed during a feast. In Ezekiel 17:2, God instructs the prophet to 'propound a riddle and speak a parable' to Israel, using the term for a divinely given allegory about eagles and a vine. The usage pattern shows it is a literary device for conveying truth that requires wisdom or divine insight to unravel.
Etymology
חוּד is a primitive root, meaning it is not derived from another Hebrew word. The core idea is 'to tie a knot,' which naturally extended to the figurative sense of 'to weave a riddle'—tying words into a puzzle. This connection between physical binding and intellectual complexity is central to its meaning.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it highlights God's communication through mystery and indirect revelation. Riddles and parables, as seen in Ezekiel 17:2, are tools God uses to engage human intellect, conceal truth from the complacent, and reveal it to the seeking heart (cf. Jesus' parables). Understanding חוּד enriches reading by showing that biblical truth is sometimes layered, inviting deeper study and dependence on divine wisdom to 'untie the knot.'
In ancient Near Eastern culture, riddles were a form of entertainment and intellectual competition, as seen at Samson's feast. They tested wisdom and cleverness. Prophetic riddles, like Ezekiel's, drew on this familiar form to deliver weighty spiritual and political messages, making abstract concepts more memorable and engaging for the audience.
מָשָׁל (mashal, H4912) — a broader term for proverb, parable, or taunt, often used for instructive comparisons, while חוּד is specifically an enigmatic riddle. חִידָה (chidah, H2420) — the actual 'riddle' or 'hard question' itself, the content that חוּד (the act of propounding) delivers.
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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