perhaps the same as חוֹחַ; a dell or crevice (as if pierced in the earth); thicket.
Transliteration:châvâch
Pronunciation:khaw-vawkh'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun חָוָח (châvâch, `{{H2337}}`) is a rare term in the biblical lexicon. Its base definition suggests a connection to חוֹחַ (chôach, `{{H2336}}`), which commonly denotes "thorn," "brier," or "thicket." This etymological link is crucial for understanding חָוָח. The primary meanings attributed to חָוָח are "a dell or crevice (as if pierced in the earth)" and "thicket." This semantic range points to natural formations that are either recessed and difficult to access (like a crevice or dell) or densely overgrown (like a thicket). Both interpretations imply a place of concealment, limited access, or challenging passage, often associated with wild, untamed environments.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word חָוָח (châvâch, `{{H2337}}`) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, found in [[1 Samuel 13:6]]. The context is critical for discerning its precise meaning and function. The verse describes the dire situation of the Israelite army when confronted by the overwhelming Philistine forces: "When the men of Israel saw that they were in trouble (for the people were hard pressed), the people hid themselves in caves and in *thickets* and in rocks and in holes and in cisterns."
In this passage, חָוָח is listed among various natural hiding places: מְעָרוֹת (mᵉʿārōt, "caves"), סְלָעִים (sᵉlāʿîm, "rocks" or "rocky strongholds"), נְקִיקִים (nᵉqîqîm, "holes" or "clefts"), and בֹּרוֹת (bōrōt, "cisterns" or "pits"). The translation "thickets" aligns perfectly with the desperate need for concealment from an advancing enemy. It suggests dense, perhaps thorny, undergrowth that could provide a hiding spot, albeit an uncomfortable and potentially dangerous one. The unified context of these terms emphasizes places of refuge born out of fear and desperation, highlighting the extreme pressure faced by the Israelites.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most significant related word is חוֹחַ (chôach, `{{H2336}}`), which is frequently translated as "thorn," "brier," or "thicket." The Strong's definition explicitly notes that חָוָח is "perhaps the same as חוֹחַ." This connection strongly supports the understanding of חָוָח as a dense, thorny thicket, a place characterized by difficult and possibly painful vegetation. Examples of חוֹחַ include its use in [[2 Kings 14:9]] to describe a "thistle" and in [[Song of Solomon 2:2]] contrasting a "lily among thorns."
Furthermore, the context of [[1 Samuel 13:6]] links חָוָח with other terms for natural concealment or refuge:
* מְעָרָה (mᵉʿārāh, `{{H4631}}`): "cave," a common place of hiding.
* סֶלַע (selaʿ, `{{H5553}}`): "rock," often referring to a rocky stronghold or cliff, implying natural defense.
* נְקִיק (nᵉqîq, `{{H5366}}`): "cleft," "crevice," or "hole," which shares semantic overlap with חָוָח's "crevice" meaning.
* בּוֹר (bôr, `{{H953}}`): "pit" or "cistern," often used for storage or as a dungeon, but here as a hiding place.
These related terms collectively paint a picture of a people driven to seek refuge in any available natural recess, highlighting their vulnerability and lack of conventional defenses.
### Theological Significance
Given its singular occurrence in a highly specific narrative, the theological significance of חָוָח (châvâch, `{{H2337}}`) is primarily derived from its contribution to the narrative of [[1 Samuel 13]]. The "thickets" serve as a stark symbol of the Israelites' desperate fear and lack of faith when confronted by the Philistine military might. This scene vividly portrays the nation's profound distress and reliance on human ingenuity (hiding in natural features) rather than immediate divine intervention.
The imagery of hiding in such uncomfortable and precarious places underscores human vulnerability and the instinct for self-preservation when divine protection seems absent or delayed. It highlights a moment of national crisis and spiritual wavering, setting the stage for Saul's subsequent actions and the unfolding drama of Israel's early monarchy. While the word itself does not carry intrinsic theological weight, its contextual usage contributes to the grim atmosphere of a people in distress, emphasizing the depth of their predicament and their perceived abandonment, which ultimately underscores the need for God's sovereign hand in their deliverance.
### Summary
The Hebrew noun חָוָח (châvâch, `{{H2337}}`) is an exceptionally rare term, appearing only once in the Old Testament. Closely related to חוֹחַ (chôach, `{{H2336}}`), "thorn" or "thicket," its primary meaning is "thicket," referring to a dense, overgrown area, possibly thorny. It can also denote a "dell" or "crevice," suggesting a recessed or hidden natural formation. In its sole biblical occurrence in [[1 Samuel 13:6]], חָוָח describes one of the desperate hiding places—alongside caves, rocks, and cisterns—where the fearful Israelites sought refuge from the Philistine army. This usage highlights human vulnerability and the instinct for self-preservation in times of extreme duress. Theologically, חָוָח contributes to the narrative of Israel's crisis in the early monarchy, illustrating a moment of national fear and the people's reliance on natural, often uncomfortable, hiding places in the absence of perceived divine provision, thereby emphasizing their need for God's redemptive action.
TRV