English · KJV
H2352

חוּר

chûwr /khoor/ Ask about this word
Rootor (shortened) חֻר · from an unused root probably meaning to bore
Meaningthe crevice of a serpent; the cell of aprison
KJV usagehole.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of chûwr — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word chûwr, represented by H2352, refers to a hole, the crevice of a serpent, or the cell of a prison. It appears only 2 times in 2 unique verses, making each occurrence highly significant. Its meaning shifts dramatically depending on the context, representing either a place of judgment and confinement or a sign of profound peace.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical appearances, H2352 carries two distinct connotations. In the messianic prophecy of Isaiah, it symbolizes a restored creation where "the sucking child H3243 shall play H8173 on the hole H2352 of the asp H6620" Isaiah 11:8. Here, a place of mortal danger is transformed into a scene of innocence. In contrast, it is used to describe a people under judgment who are "snared H6351 in holes H2352" and hid H2244 in prison houses Isaiah 42:22. In this context, the hole is a trap and a symbol of defeat and captivity.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the meaning of H2352 in its different contexts:

  • H3975 mᵉʼûwrâh (den): This word for an aperture or den is used in parallel with H2352 in the prophecy of a peaceful kingdom, reinforcing the idea of a creature's natural dwelling Isaiah 11:8.
  • H3608 keleʼ (prison): Paired with H2352 in the description of a captured people, this word explicitly defines the "holes" as places of confinement, like a prison Isaiah 42:22.
  • H2244 châbâʼ (hid): This root describes the state of the people trapped in the holes. They are hid away, emphasizing their helplessness and removal from sight Isaiah 42:22.
  • H8173 shâʻaʻ (play): The action associated with the serpent's hole in Isaiah's prophecy. That a child can play there illustrates the complete neutralization of threat Isaiah 11:8.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H2352 lies in its powerful dual symbolism.

  • A Place of Judgment: The word signifies the consequences of disobedience. The "holes" in which the people are snared are places of darkness and confinement, where a nation becomes prey H957 and spoil H4933 with no one to deliver H5337 them Isaiah 42:22.
  • A Place of Restored Peace: In its prophetic use, the term illustrates a redeemed world. The danger inherent in a serpent's hole is removed, signifying a time when nature itself is reconciled and the curse is undone Isaiah 11:8.
  • Confinement vs. Dwelling: Ultimately, H2352 represents a place of concealment. Context determines whether this is the punitive confinement of a prison cell or the natural, harmless dwelling of a creature in a world made safe.

Summary

In summary, chûwr H2352 is a term whose significance is defined by its immediate biblical context. In its two appearances, it paints vivid and opposing pictures. It can be a metaphor for a prison-like trap signifying judgment and defeat, or it can be a feature in a peaceful, restored creation where even the most dangerous places are made safe. The word powerfully demonstrates how the same physical reality can symbolize either divine punishment or divine peace.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 2 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • חוּרִים
  • חֻר

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H3243 יָנַק a primitive root; to suck; causatively, to give milk; milch, nurse(-ing mother), (give, make to) suck(-ing child, -ling) H8173 שָׁעַע a primitive root; (in a good acceptation) to look upon (with complacency), i.e. fondle, please or amuse (self); (in a ba H6620 פֶּתֶן from an unused root meaning to twist; an asp (from its contortions); adder. H6351 פָּחַח a primitive root; to batter out; but used only as denominative from פַּח,; to spread a net; be snared. H2244 חָבָא a primitive root (compare חָבַב); to secrete; [idiom] held, hide (self), do secretly. H3975 מְאוּרָה feminine passive participle of אוֹר; something lighted, i.e. an aperture; by implication, a crevice or hole (of a serpen

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

2 verses, all in Isaiah — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.