### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **chûwg**, represented by `{{H2328}}`, is a primitive root meaning **to describe a circle; compass**. It is a very specific term, appearing only **1 time** in **1 unique verse** in the entirety of the biblical text. Its singular usage provides a distinct and powerful image of God's creative authority.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole appearance of `{{H2328}}` is found in [[Job 26:10]], where the author describes God's power over creation. The verse states, "He hath **compassed** the waters with bounds, until the day and night come to an end" [[Job 26:10]]. In this context, the word portrays God's act of drawing a circular boundary, like a horizon, over the face of the waters. This act is not merely descriptive but foundational, establishing a fundamental limit that governs the created order.
### Related Words & Concepts
Two key words from this verse help clarify the meaning of `{{H2328}}`:
* `{{H2706}}` **chôq** (bounds): Defined as an enactment, decree, statute, or law. In [[Job 26:10]], God "compassed" the waters with **bounds** `{{H2706}}`. This shows that the circle drawn is not just a shape but a divine law or decree. The same word is used for God's "statutes" [[Psalms 119:5]] and His "decree" concerning the Son [[Psalms 2:7]].
* `{{H6440}}` **pânîym** (waters): Literally meaning the **face** or presence. While translated as "waters" in this instance, its root meaning is "face." God's act of compassing is upon the "face of the waters." This term is used elsewhere to mean sitting "before the LORD" [[2 Samuel 7:18]] or seeking God's "face" [[2 Chronicles 7:14]], adding a sense of acting upon the very presence or surface of the deep.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H2328}}` is concentrated in its single, powerful use.
* **Sovereign Order:** The word vividly illustrates God's sovereignty over the chaos of the primordial waters. By "compassing" them, He establishes order, limits, and structure, demonstrating His role as the ultimate architect of the cosmos [[Job 26:10]].
* **Divine Decree:** The circle described by `{{H2328}}` is enforced by a **bound** or decree `{{H2706}}`. This frames the natural law of the horizon as a direct and binding command from God, which will stand until the end of the current age ("until the day and night come to an end").
* **Setting Boundaries:** The act of drawing a circle is an act of setting a definitive boundary. It communicates the theological principle that God alone establishes the limits of creation and the spheres of existence.
### Summary
In summary, while extremely rare, `{{H2328}}` **chûwg** provides a crucial insight into the biblical understanding of God's creative power. Its single appearance in [[Job 26:10]], supported by related terms for "decree" `{{H2706}}` and "face" `{{H6440}}`, paints a picture of God drawing the horizon as a divine and unshakeable boundary upon the world. It is a testament to His authority to bring order from chaos and to establish the very laws that govern reality.
TRV