a primitive root (compare חָנַךְ); to be narrow; by implication, to throttle, or (reflex.) to choke oneself to death (by a rope); hang self, strangle.
Transliteration:chânaq
Pronunciation:khaw-nak'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root חָנַק (chânaq - `{{H2614}}`) is a primitive root whose core meaning is "to be narrow." This fundamental sense of constriction or tightness forms the basis for its extended semantic range. By implication, this narrowness leads to the action of "throttling" or "choking." In its reflexive form, it denotes "to choke oneself to death," specifically "by a rope," thus encompassing the act of "hanging oneself" or "strangling." The progression from a state of physical narrowness to a violent, often fatal, act of constriction is central to understanding this word.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The root חָנַק (chânaq - `{{H2614}}`) appears infrequently in the Hebrew Bible, yet its occurrences are highly significant:
1. **[[2 Samuel 17:23]]**: "When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey and arose and went to his home, to his city, and set his house in order and hanged himself; so he died and was buried in the grave of his father." Here, the verb is used in its reflexive sense, describing Ahithophel's suicide by hanging. The context is one of despair and the ultimate consequence of his treachery against King David. His self-inflicted death underscores the futility and despair that can arise from opposing divine providence or engaging in profound disloyalty.
2. **[[Nahum 2:12]]**: "The lion tore enough for his cubs and strangled prey for his lionesses. He filled his lairs with prey and his dens with torn flesh." In this prophetic passage, the verb describes the violent action of a lion strangling its prey. The imagery is used metaphorically to depict the brutal and predatory nature of the Assyrian empire (represented by the lion), which had violently oppressed nations. This usage highlights the active, aggressive sense of killing by constriction, distinct from the reflexive suicide in 2 Samuel.
These two occurrences demonstrate the word's capacity to describe both self-inflicted death and the violent act of killing another through constriction, always carrying the connotation of a forceful, often fatal, narrowing or choking.
### Related Words & Concepts
The base definition of חָנַק (chânaq - `{{H2614}}`) notes a comparison with חָנַךְ (chanak - `{{H2596}}`), which also carries the sense of "to narrow," leading to meanings like "to train," "to dedicate," or "to initiate." While chanak develops into concepts of focused development or consecration, chanaq progresses toward physical constriction and death.
Other related concepts and words include:
* מוּת (muth - `{{H4191}}`): "to die," the ultimate outcome of strangulation.
* הָרַג (harag - `{{H2026}}`): "to kill," a broader term for taking life.
* חֶבֶל (chevel - `{{H2256}}`): "rope" or "cord," directly relevant to the means of hanging.
* Concepts of despair, treachery, judgment, violence, and the finality of life.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of חָנַק (chânaq - `{{H2614}}`) is primarily derived from the profound contexts in which it appears. Ahithophel's suicide ([[2 Samuel 17:23]]) serves as a stark biblical example of human despair and the tragic end of a life marked by disloyalty and a failed attempt to thwart God's anointed. It stands as a grim testament to the consequences of rebellion and the ultimate futility of human machinations against divine will. This event underscores the severity of God's judgment, even if self-executed, and the spiritual desolation that can lead to such an extreme act.
In [[Nahum 2:12]], the word's use to describe a lion's strangling of prey reflects the brutal violence and predatory nature of the Assyrian empire, which was a tool of God's judgment but also a subject of His ultimate wrath for its excessive cruelty. Here, חָנַק (chânaq - `{{H2614}}`) portrays the ferocity and destructive power of a nation under divine condemnation.
Thus, while the word itself describes a physical act, its biblical contexts imbue it with theological weight, speaking to themes of divine justice, the wages of sin, the desperation that can engulf the human heart, and the violent consequences of unrighteousness, whether self-inflicted or inflicted upon others. It serves as a stark descriptor of a violent and often tragic end, frequently linked to the culmination of negative spiritual or moral trajectories.
### Summary
The Hebrew verb חָנַק (chânaq - `{{H2614}}`) signifies "to be narrow," extending semantically to "throttle," "choke," and reflexively, "to hang oneself" or "strangle." Its rare but potent appearances in the Hebrew Bible illustrate both the tragic act of suicide ([[2 Samuel 17:23]], Ahithophel) and the violent, predatory act of killing by constriction ([[Nahum 2:12]], the lion). The word's core meaning of constriction leading to death is consistently maintained. Theologically, חָנַק (chânaq - `{{H2614}}`) serves to highlight profound themes of despair, divine judgment, and the severe consequences of human actions, whether in the context of personal treachery or national violence, ultimately underscoring the finality and gravity associated with such a violent end.
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