Word Study for H2397 (חָח) | Strong's Concordance

châch /khawkh/ Ask about this word

Meaningonce (Ezekiel 29:4) חָחִי; from the same as חוֹחַ; a ring for the nose (or lips)

KJV usagebracelet, chain, hook.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of châch — 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 châch, represented by H2397, describes a hook, ring, bracelet, or chain. It appears 8 times in 7 unique verses in the Bible. The word carries a dual meaning, representing both an item of personal adornment and, more frequently, a tool for capture and control.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The usage of H2397 demonstrates a stark contrast in context. In one instance, it is a decorative item, listed among the voluntary offerings brought by the willing-hearted to the LORD. As a bracelet, it was part of a collection of gold jewelry, including earrings and rings, for the tabernacle Exodus 35:22. In all other occurrences, it symbolizes subjugation and judgment. God places a hook in the nose of his enemies to turn them back (2 Kings 19:28, Isaiah 37:29) or puts hooks in their jaws to lead them out for judgment (Ezekiel 29:4, Ezekiel 38:4). It is also translated as chains used to bring a captive to Egypt Ezekiel 19:4 and later to Babylon Ezekiel 19:9.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the contexts in which H2397 is used:

H4964 metheg (bit, bridle): This word is used in direct parallel with H2397 when God declares he will put a hook in the nose and a bridle in the lips of a defiant king, emphasizing complete control and guidance against the king's will (2 Kings 19:28, Isaiah 37:29).
H2885 ṭabbaʻath (ring): Found alongside H2397 as part of the offering of gold jewels, this term reinforces the use of châch as a valuable ornament in the context of worship Exodus 35:22.
H5474 çûwgar (ward): This word for an enclosure or cage appears with H2397 to describe a captured leader being put "in ward in chains," highlighting the theme of imprisonment and loss of freedom Ezekiel 19:9.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H2397 lies in its powerful imagery of divine sovereignty.

Willing Worship vs. Forced Submission: The word's dual meaning illustrates two possible responses to God. It can be a bracelet offered willingly in devotion Exodus 35:22 or a hook used to forcibly redirect those who act in rage and tumult against God 2 Kings 19:28.
Instrument of Divine Judgment: As a hook or chain, H2397 is a symbol of God's inescapable judgment upon arrogant powers. He uses it to control and lead kings and nations captive, demonstrating His ultimate authority over human plans (Ezekiel 19:4, Ezekiel 38:4).
Symbol of Humiliation: Being led by a hook in the nose or jaw was a humiliating form of captivity. This imagery graphically portrays the humbling of the proud who oppose God's will, as they are led away in defeat Isaiah 37:29.

Summary

In summary, H2397 is a vivid word whose meaning shifts dramatically with its context. It can be a beautiful bracelet given as an act of worship or a harsh hook or chain that signifies captivity and subjugation. This single term powerfully encapsulates the biblical themes of divine judgment, absolute sovereignty, and the stark difference between a voluntary offering and a forced submission.

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 6 occurrences, inflected in 3 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.

חַחִים
חַחִ
חָח

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

Appears in 7 verses across 4 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Ezekiel (4 verses); never once in the other 35.

Exodus

2 Kings

Isaiah

Ezekiel

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.