חִשֻּׁר
𐤇𐤔𐤓
chishshur
H2840 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Component of a wheel; specifically, the nave or hub—the central portion of a wheel in which the axletree is inserted and to which the spokes are attached. The term refers to the collective binding or fastening together of the wheel's parts, with some possible extension to the spokes themselves.
Semantic Range
navel/hub of a wheel, binding together of wheel spokes; by extension, spoke of a wheel
Root / Etymology
The word appears derived from an unused root, possibly ח־ש־ר, with an underlying sense of 'binding together' or 'joining.' The specific root is not attested elsewhere in Biblical Hebrew, and thus, the etymology remains uncertain.
Historical & Contextual Notes
חִשֻּׁר is a rare term in the Hebrew Bible, occurring only in technical descriptions relating to the construction of objects such as Solomon's Temple (as in 1 Kings 7:33–34). The word designates a part of the wheel, likely the hub or nave, which serves as the focal point to which spokes are attached. In ancient Israelite material culture, wheels—especially chariot wheels—were complex constructions, and the term reveals specialized craftsmanship. English translations have varied, with older versions sometimes glossing as 'spoke' or 'nave,' but the primary meaning is most accurately the hub. The term does not refer to the entire wheel or the rim; compare אַף (aph) for 'rim' and חָשַׁב (chashav, 'to connect, devise') for different nuances of joining or planning. Unlike some later periods' Hebrew or Aramaic use, חִשֻּׁר does not carry further metaphorical senses in biblical usage. The translation 'hub' best reflects both the constructional and etymological implications for the relevant period.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from an unused root meaning to bind together; combined, i.e. the nave or hub of awheel (as holding the spokes together); spoke.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
חשר (ḥ-š-r) — bind, tie, fasten together, join
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2841 | חַשְׁרָה | gathering of storm-clouds |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2840-01 |
וְ/חִשֻּׁרֵי/הֶ֖ם | vechishureyhem | HC/Ncmpc/Sp3mp |
and their hubs | and their wheel-hubs | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2840-01 |
1 Kings 7:33 | וְ/חִשֻּׁרֵי/הֶ֖ם | vechishureyhem | HC/Ncmpc/Sp3mp |
and their hubs | and their wheel-hubs |