from חָדַר; an apartment (usually literal); ((bed) inner) chamber, innermost(-ward) part, parlour, [phrase] south, [idiom] within.
Transliteration:cheder
Pronunciation:kheh'-der
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word H2315 (חֶדֶר, cheder) derives from the root חָדַר (hadar), which signifies "to go in," "to enter," or "to penetrate." This etymological connection provides the core meaning of cheder as an enclosed space, a room, or an apartment. Its primary semantic range encompasses:
* **Literal Chambers:** Most commonly, it refers to a physical "room," "chamber," or "apartment" within a larger dwelling. This includes specific types like a "bedchamber" or a "parlor."
* **Innermost Parts:** It frequently denotes the "innermost" or "deepest" part of something, emphasizing seclusion, privacy, or hiddenness. This can be applied to parts of a building, the human body (e.g., intestines, heart), or even abstract concepts.
* **Figurative/Idiomatic Uses:** cheder can be used metaphorically to describe secret places, realms of existence (e.g., "chambers of death"), or even directional references (e.g., "chambers of the south," possibly referring to the hidden or remote regions of the sky/earth).
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The usage of cheder in the Hebrew Bible illustrates its varied applications:
* **Literal Rooms:**
* As a "bedchamber" (מִשְׁכָּב חֶדֶר): In [[2 Samuel 4:7]], Ish-bosheth is murdered in his bedchamber. Similarly, in [[2 Kings 6:12]], the prophet Elisha's words, even those spoken in the king's "bedchamber," are known to the king of Israel. This highlights the concept of a private, yet not entirely secret, space.
* As a "parlor" or "upper chamber": [[Judges 3:24]] describes Ehud's encounter with Eglon in his "cool upper chamber" (עֲלִיַּת הַמְּקֵרָה), which is a specific type of cheder.
* As a place of hiding or refuge: In [[1 Kings 20:30]], the defeated Ben-Hadad takes refuge with his men in an "inner chamber" (חֶדֶר בְּחֶדֶר). [[Isaiah 26:20]] famously uses cheder as a place of divine protection: "Come, my people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until the fury has passed by."
* **Innermost Parts (Figurative):**
* Of the body/being: [[Proverbs 18:8]] and [[Proverbs 26:22]] speak of "the words of a whisperer" as "dainty morsels" that "go down into the innermost parts of the belly" (חַדְרֵי בָטֶן), referring to the deepest recesses of one's being where thoughts and emotions reside.
* Of the earth/sea: [[Jonah 2:3]] (MT 2:4) describes Jonah in the "chambers of the deep" (חַדְרֵי שְׁאוֹל), referring to the depths of the sea, akin to the realm of the dead.
* **Abstract/Directional:**
* "Chambers of the south": [[Job 9:9]] mentions God as the one who "made the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the chambers of the south" (חַדְרֵי תֵמָן). This likely refers to constellations or vast, unexplored regions of the southern sky.
* "Chambers of death": [[Proverbs 7:27]] warns against the allure of the adulteress, stating, "Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the chambers of death" (חַדְרֵי מָוֶת), a metaphorical path to destruction.
### Related Words & Concepts
The meaning of cheder is illuminated by its relationship to other Hebrew terms and broader conceptual ideas:
* **Root חָדַר (hadar):** The verb חָדַר `{{H2314}}` means "to go in," "to enter," or "to penetrate," directly informing cheder's sense of an enclosed space that one enters.
* **בַּיִת (bayit `{{H1004}}`):** This is the general term for "house" or "dwelling." cheder is a specific, often private, room *within* a bayit.
* **עֲלִיָּה (aliyah `{{H5944}}`):** Meaning "upper room" or "roof chamber," this is a particular type of cheder often used for privacy or prayer.
* **Concepts of Seclusion and Privacy:** cheder inherently conveys ideas of privacy, intimacy, and secrecy. This is seen in its use for bedchambers or hidden places.
* **Concepts of Security and Refuge:** As exemplified in [[Isaiah 26:20]], cheder can symbolize a place of safety and protection, a secure haven from danger or judgment.
* **Concepts of the Inner Self:** When applied to the "innermost parts," cheder relates to the core of one's being, including thoughts, intentions, and emotions, similar to the concept of the "heart" (לֵב, lev `{{H3820}}`).
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of cheder is multifaceted, encompassing themes of divine omnipresence, human responsibility, and God's protective care:
* **Divine Omnipresence and Human Secrecy:** The use of cheder for secret places highlights the theological truth that nothing is hidden from God. While humans may seek privacy in their "chambers" ([[2 Kings 6:12]]), God's knowledge penetrates even the most secluded spaces. This underscores divine omniscience and challenges the notion that sin committed in secret remains unseen.
* **Intimacy and Prayer:** Although cheder is a physical space, it can metaphorically represent a place of intimate communion with God. The New Testament concept of praying in one's "inner room" ([[Matthew 6:6]], using the Greek equivalent ταμεῖον `{{G5009}}`) echoes the idea of a private, focused encounter with the Divine, free from public display.
* **Refuge in Judgment:** Perhaps one of the most profound theological uses of cheder is in [[Isaiah 26:20]], where it symbolizes a place of divine refuge during a time of God's wrath. This portrays God as a protector who provides a safe haven for His people amidst judgment, inviting them into a secure, hidden place until His indignation passes.
* **The Inner Life and Moral Accountability:** When cheder refers to the "innermost parts" of a person ([[Proverbs 18:8]]), it points to the profound biblical emphasis on the internal, unseen life. It is in these "chambers" of the heart that intentions are formed, and true character resides. This highlights the call for inner purity and integrity, as God examines the heart, not merely outward actions.
### Summary
The Hebrew word H2315 (חֶדֶר, cheder) primarily denotes an "apartment" or "chamber," emphasizing an enclosed, often private or innermost space. Its semantic range extends from literal rooms like bedchambers and parlors to metaphorical "innermost parts" of the body or abstract concepts like the "chambers of death" or "chambers of the south." Contextually, cheder can signify intimacy, privacy, and security, as seen in its use for a place of refuge from divine judgment ([[Isaiah 26:20]]). Theologically, it points to the importance of the hidden, internal life of an individual—the seat of thoughts and intentions—which is fully known to God. While offering a place for communion and refuge, cheder also serves as a reminder that clandestine evil deeds are not concealed from the divine gaze. The word thus encapsulates both the sacredness of personal space and the inescapable omnipresence of God.
TRV