חוּשׁ

chûwsh /koosh/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto hurry; figuratively, to be eager with excitement or enjoyment
KJV usage(make) haste(-n), ready.
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word chûwsh, represented by H2363, is a primitive root meaning to hurry. It appears 20 times in 20 unique verses, often conveying a sense of urgency. Figuratively, it can also mean to be eager with excitement or enjoyment, or to be made ready. Its usage ranges from desperate pleas for divine aid to descriptions of swift judgment and decisive human action.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H2363 is frequently used in the Psalms as an urgent cry to God. David and other psalmists repeatedly implore the LORD to "make haste" to deliver or help them in times of trouble (Psalms 70:1, Psalms 40:13, Psalms 141:1). The word also describes decisive human action, such as when the Israelites prepared to go "ready armed" into battle Numbers 32:17, or when the psalmist "made haste, and delayed not" to keep God's commandments Psalms 119:60. In prophecy, it is used to describe the swiftness of God's coming judgment Deuteronomy 32:35 and His sovereign power to fulfill His promises, as when He declares, "I the LORD will hasten it in his time" Isaiah 60:22.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help frame the concept of haste and urgency:

  • H4116 mâhar (to hurry... promptly): This word is often used in parallel with H2363 to emphasize speed. Mockers challenge God, saying, "Let him make speed H4116, and hasten H2363 his work" Isaiah 5:19.
  • H309 'âchar (to loiter... delay, hinder): This term serves as a direct contrast to haste. The psalmist pleads, "make haste unto me, O God... O LORD, make no tarrying H309" Psalms 70:5.
  • H4102 mâhahh (to... hesitate... delay, linger): This word also functions as an antonym, highlighting a lack of urgency. The commitment to God's law is shown in the phrase "I made haste H2363, and delayed H4102 not" Psalms 119:60.
  • H5337 nâtsal (to snatch away... deliver, escape, rescue): This word often describes the purpose of the haste. The cry "Make haste, O God, to deliver H5337 me" links the urgency directly to the need for rescue Psalms 70:1.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H2363 is significant, revealing a tension between human desperation and divine timing.

  • A Cry for Swift Deliverance: The repeated use of "make haste" in prayer reflects a raw and honest dependence on God for immediate help ('ezrâh H5833). It is the voice of the afflicted seeking salvation from God (Psalms 38:22, Psalms 71:12).
  • The Haste of Divine Judgment: The word is used to describe the impending arrival of God's vengeance (nâqâm H5359) and recompence (shillêm H8005) upon his adversaries, emphasizing that their calamity will not be delayed Deuteronomy 32:35.
  • Faith Overcomes Haste: A key theological principle is found in Isaiah, which contrasts panicked rushing with confident faith. Regarding the sure foundation God lays in Zion, the text states, "he that believeth (ʼâman H539) shall not make haste H2363" Isaiah 28:16. This suggests that trust in God's established plan eliminates anxious, fearful hurry.

Summary

In summary, H2363 captures more than just the idea of speed. It embodies the urgency of human need, the swiftness of divine action, and the profound spiritual state where faith replaces frantic haste with steadfast trust. From the desperate cries of a psalmist to the sovereign declaration of God, chûwsh illustrates that while humanity often rushes out of fear or desire, true stability is found in waiting on the Lord, who accomplishes His will in His own perfect time.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 19 occurrences, inflected in 11 grammatical forms.

  • Qal Imperative 2nd Singular Masculine 7×
  • Hiphil Imperfect 1st Singular common gender 2×
  • Hiphil Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 2×
  • Hiphil Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Singular Feminine 1×
  • Hiphil Perfect 3rd Plural common gender 1×
  • Qal Consecutive Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Qal Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Qal Infinitive Construct 1×
  • Qal Participle Passive Plural Masculine Absolute 1×
  • Qal Participle Singular Masculine Absolute 1×
  • Qal Perfect 1st Singular common gender 1×
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine
Feminine grammatical gender.
common gender
Either gender — the form does not distinguish.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Passive
The subject is acted upon.
Imperative
A command or entreaty.
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.
Qal
The simple, basic stem — plain action in the active voice.
Hiphil
The causative stem — the subject causes the action.
Consecutive Imperfect
Imperfect with vav — carries narrative forward ("and he…").
Consecutive Perfect
Perfect with vav — continues a sequence into the future.
Absolute
The independent form of a noun (not bound to another).
Construct
Bound to a following noun — "the X of…".

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 20 verses across 9 books. Most frequent in Psalms (9 verses).

1
Numbers
1
Deuteronomy
1
Judges
1
1 Samuel
2
Job
9
Psalms
1
Ecclesiastes
3
Isaiah
1
Habakkuk

Verse Explorer

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