The Hebrew word chôwr, represented by H2356, refers to a cavity, socket, den; cave, hole. It appears 7 times across 7 unique verses in the Bible. This term is used to describe a range of physical openings, from natural formations in the earth to man-made apertures.
In biblical usage, H2356 describes various types of cavities. It is used for natural shelters, such as the caves of the earth where people dwell Job 30:6 and the holes where Hebrews hid themselves from the Philistines 1 Samuel 14:11. The term also applies to animal lairs, like the lion's holes filled with prey Nahum 2:12. In man-made contexts, it can be a hole bored in the lid of a chest 2 Kings 12:9, a hole in a wall seen in a vision Ezekiel 8:7, or the hole of a door Song of Solomon 5:4. In a striking anatomical reference, it denotes the eye sockets during a description of a divine plague Zechariah 14:12.
Several related words clarify the context of dwelling and terrain:
- H4585 mᵉʻôwnâh (den, habitation, dwelling place, refuge): This word for an abode or lair is used in parallel with H2356 in Nahum 2:12, where a lion fills his holes and his dens with prey, emphasizing a place of secured dwelling.
- H6178 ʻârûwts (cliffs): Defined as a horrible place or chasm, this word appears alongside H2356 to describe the harsh environment where afflicted people are forced to dwell, in the clifts of the valleys and in caves of the earth Job 30:6.
The meaning of H2356 often carries significant contextual weight, illustrating broader themes:
- Refuge and Hiding: The word frequently denotes a place of shelter or concealment. Hebrews are described as coming out of the holes where they had hidden themselves 1 Samuel 14:11, and in Job's lament, the destitute dwell in caves of the earth Job 30:6.
- Divine Judgment and Access to Sin: In a prophetic context, H2356 can signify a point of vulnerability or corruption. The "eyes consuming away in their holes" is a graphic image of God's plague against Jerusalem's enemies Zechariah 14:12. Similarly, the hole in the wall in Ezekiel's vision serves as a secret entrance to witness the idolatry within the court Ezekiel 8:7.
- Points of Passage: The term can simply mark an opening for interaction, such as the hole in a chest lid for depositing money for the temple 2 Kings 12:9 or the hole of the door through which a beloved reaches Song of Solomon 5:4.
In summary, H2356 is a versatile term whose meaning is defined by its context. It is more than a generic word for "hole," serving to illustrate concepts of shelter and desperation 1 Samuel 14:11, the lairs of powerful creatures Nahum 2:12, and the consequences of divine judgment Zechariah 14:12. From a natural cave to a man-made opening or even an eye socket, chôwr points to a specific cavity that can be a place of hiding, a point of passage, or a site of decay.
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