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חַכָּה

𐤇𐤊𐤄

chakkâh

H2443 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A fishhook, primarily a tool or device for catching fish by means of a pointed, curved metal or bone implement; by extension, any kind of hook or barbed device specifically designed to draw in or catch something, though in the Hebrew Bible it virtually always refers to an implement used for angling fish.

Semantic Range

fishhook, implement for catching fish; hook (specifically for angling); figuratively, device for ensnaring (in the sense of capture, not everyday hooks or hangers)

Root / Etymology

From the root חכה, whose core meaning is 'to wait, to tarry'; however, this nominal form (חַכָּה) likely developed as a specialized tool name, possibly by metaphorical extension (one who waits/catches). The direct root connection is debated, and the word may represent an onomatopoeic or borrowing influence. Core root meaning and lexical meaning diverge here.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, חַכָּה is attested only a few times (e.g., Isa 19:8; Hab 1:15), always referring to an implement for catching fish. Its usage falls within the context of Near Eastern fishing technologies from the Iron Age, where fishhooks of bronze or bone are archaeologically attested. While the KJV and some translations render the term simply as 'hook,' the lexical evidence supports restricting its sense in biblical contexts to 'fishhook,' not to more general hooks. The metaphorical extension, as seen in prophetic literature, is always tied to imagery of capture or drawing in, rather than common household hooks. Other Hebrew words (צִנָּה, מַשֶּׁה) refer to different types of hooks or implements, but חַכָּה is distinct both in its form and restricted use. Later periods do not significantly expand its semantic range in biblical Hebrew.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

probably from חָכָה; a hook (as adhering); angle, hook.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

חכה (ḥ-k-h) — to wait, to tarry

Root חכה to wait, to tarry
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2442 חָכָה Wait expectantly

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H2443-01 בְּ/חַכָּ֣ה bechakah HR/Ncfsa with a hook fishhook with a fishhook 2
H2443-02 חַכָּ֑ה chakah HNcfsa hook fishhook fishhook 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H2443-02 Isaiah 19:8 חַכָּ֑ה chakah HNcfsa hook fishhook fishhook
H2443-01 Habakkuk 1:15 בְּ/חַכָּ֣ה bechakah HR/Ncfsa with a hook fishhook with a hook
H2443-01 Job 40:25 בְּ/חַכָּ֑ה bechakah HR/Ncfsa with a hook fishhook with a fishhook
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