English · KJV
H2598

חֲנֻכָּה

chănukkâh /khan-ook-kaw'/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom חָנַךְ
Meaninginitiation, i.e. consecration
KJV usagededicating(-tion).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of chănukkâh — 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 chănukkâh, represented by H2598, signifies initiation, i.e. consecration or dedicating(-tion). It appears 8 times across 7 unique verses in the Bible. The term refers to the formal act of setting something apart for a specific and often sacred purpose, marking its beginning of service.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H2598 is used for the consecration of significant structures and objects. A prominent example is the dedication of the altar, where the princes of Israel presented offerings before the newly anointed altar Numbers 7:10. This event is detailed across several verses, culminating in a list of all the offerings given for the dedication after it was anointed Numbers 7:88. The term is also used for the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, a major community event involving Levites, joyful music, and thanksgiving Nehemiah 12:27. In a more personal context, it appears in the title of a psalm commemorating the dedication of the house of David Psalms 30:1.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words expand upon the concept of dedication and consecration:

  • H4196 mizbêach (an altar): This is a primary object of dedication. The princes of Israel brought offerings for the dedicating of the altar on the day it was anointed Numbers 7:10.
  • H4886 mâshach (to rub with oil, i.e. to anoint): This act of consecration is directly linked to dedication. The dedication of the altar took place on the day it was anointed Numbers 7:84.
  • H2346 chôwmâh (a wall of protection): This highlights another significant structure set apart for a holy purpose, as seen in the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem Nehemiah 12:27.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H2598 is significant in establishing sacredness and purpose.

  • Consecration of Sacred Items: The central function of H2598 is the formal setting apart of objects for divine service. This is most clearly seen in the repeated dedication of the altar H4196 by the princes of Israel after it was anointed Numbers 7:88.
  • A Joyful Act of Worship: Dedication is portrayed not as a mere ritual, but as a vibrant celebration. The dedication of Jerusalem's wall was to be kept with gladness H8057, thanksgivings H8426, and singing H7892, involving instruments like cymbals, psalteries, and harps Nehemiah 12:27.
  • Communal and Leadership-led: The act of dedication involves the entire community and its leaders. The princes H5387 offered for the dedicating of the altar Numbers 7:10, and the Levites H3881 were brought to Jerusalem to lead the celebration for the wall's dedication Nehemiah 12:27.

Summary

In summary, H2598 chănukkâh is more than a simple beginning; it is a profound act of consecration. It marks the transition of a physical object, like an altar or a wall, into a sacred role within the life of Israel. These dedications were significant communal events, characterized by joyful worship, thanksgiving, and the participation of both leaders and the people, establishing a clear purpose for what had been built.

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 8 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.

  • חֲנֻכַּת
  • חֲנֻכָּה

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.

H4196 מִזְבֵּחַ from זָבַח; an altar; altar. H4886 מָשַׁח a primitive root; to rub with oil, i.e. to anoint; by implication, to consecrate; also to paint; anoint, paint. H2346 חוֹמָה feminine active participle of an unused root apparently meaning to join; a wall of protection; wall, walled. H8057 שִׂמְחָה from שָׂמֵחַ; blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival); [idiom] exceeding(-ly), gladness, joy(-fulness), mirth, p H8426 תּוֹדָה from יָדָה; properly, an extension of the hand, i.e. (by implication) avowal, or (usually) adoration; specifically, a ch H7892 שִׁיר or feminine שִׁירָה; from שִׁיר; a song; abstractly, singing; musical(-ick), [idiom] sing(-er, -ing), song.

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 Numbers (4 verses); never once in the other 35.

4
Numbers
1
2 Chronicles
1
Nehemiah
1
Psalms

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.