חוּד
𐤇𐤅𐤃
chûwd
H2330 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To tie or bind with a knot; by extension, to pose a riddle, enigma, or perplexing question—especially in a formal or public context. The term's primary use is metaphorical, relating to the challenging or enigmatic nature of riddles or puzzles presented for solution.
Semantic Range
to tie a knot, to bind; to pose a riddle, to propound an enigma, to present a perplexing question
Root / Etymology
Root: חוד (ח-ו-ד). Derived from the basic sense of 'to tie' or 'bind' (as with a knot), metaphorically extended to the act of 'knotting' thoughts or language—that is, presenting a puzzle or riddle that requires untangling. The root meaning relates to physical binding, while the verb form typically conveys the intellectual or social act of posing a riddle.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The verb חוּד is rare and primarily attested in contexts related to the posing of riddles, most famously in Judges 14:12ff, when Samson challenges the Philistines with a riddle. Its concrete sense ('to tie a knot') does not occur in narrative accounts; all extant biblical usages are metaphorical or involve intellectual challenge. In later Hebrew, words derived from this root are not commonly attested for riddling. Greek renderings in the Septuagint typically translate this to terms for 'posing a riddle' or 'testing with a question'. English translations that render the verb as 'propound a riddle' or 'put forth a hard question' capture the basic sense but may overlook the underlying metaphor of knotting or binding thoughts. This term is distinct from other words for enigma or secret (e.g., חִידָה), which are more frequently used for the noun 'riddle'. The use is mainly limited to the pre-exilic period and does not carry direct religious or ritual connotations.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; properly, to tie a knot, i.e. (figuratively) to propound a riddle; put forth.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
חוד (ḥ-w-d) — tying, knotting, binding
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2330-03 |
ח֥וּד | chud | HVqv2ms |
put forth | Pose a riddle | 1 |
H2330-04 |
ח֥וּדָ/ה | chudah | HVqv2ms/Sh |
Propound | Pose a riddle | 1 |
H2330-01 |
אָחֽוּדָה | achudah | HVqh1cs |
let me propose | let me pose a riddle | 1 |
H2330-02 |
חַ֨דְתָּ֙ | chadeta | HVqp2ms |
you have proposed | you posed a riddle | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2330-01 |
Judges 14:12 | אָחֽוּדָה | achudah | HVqh1cs |
let me propose | let me pose a riddle |
H2330-04 |
Judges 14:13 | ח֥וּדָ/ה | chudah | HVqv2ms/Sh |
Propound | Pose a riddle |
H2330-02 |
Judges 14:16 | חַ֨דְתָּ֙ | chadeta | HVqp2ms |
you have proposed | you posed a riddle |
H2330-03 |
Ezekiel 17:2 | ח֥וּד | chud | HVqv2ms |
put forth | Pose a riddle |