חָקַק

châqaq /khaw-kak'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root · properly, to hack, i.e. engrave (Judges 5:14, to be a scribe simply)
Meaningby implication, to enact (laws being cut in stone or metal tablets in primitive times) or (gen.) prescribe
KJV usageappoint, decree, governor, grave, lawgiver, note, pourtray, print, set.
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word châqaq, represented by H2710, is a primitive root that means to hack or engrave. It appears 19 times in 19 unique verses. This physical act of carving into stone or metal gives rise to its powerful implications: to enact laws, decree, appoint, or prescribe. The term can be translated as lawgiver, governor, to decree, to grave, or to appoint.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H2710 is used to convey concepts of authority, permanence, and creation. In prophecy, it establishes the ruling authority of Judah, promising that a lawgiver will not depart from it Genesis 49:10. The word also carries a sense of negative judgment, as when Isaiah denounces those who decree unrighteous decrees Isaiah 10:1. In a tender metaphor, God uses the word to describe His intimate and permanent care for His people, declaring, "I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands" Isaiah 49:16. It is even used to describe God's creative power, as when He appointed the foundations of the earth Proverbs 8:29.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words expand upon the concepts of decreeing and engraving:

  • H2706 chôq (an enactment; decree; law; statute): This noun is derived directly from H2710 and refers to the result of a legislative act. It is used in the context of a divine declaration, as in, "I will declare the decree" Psalms 2:7.
  • H2672 châtsab (to cut or carve; hew; engrave): This verb shares the physical sense of cutting into a hard material. It is used in parallel with H2710 when describing someone who has hewed him out a sepulchre and graveth an habitation for himself in a rock Isaiah 22:16.
  • H4941 mishpâṭ (a verdict; formal decree; justice): This term often describes the just result of what a lawgiver H2710 establishes. In Deuteronomy, a leader is described as executing the Lord's justice and his judgments with Israel Deuteronomy 33:21.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H2710 is significant, establishing principles of divine and human authority.

  • Divine Lawgiver and Creator: The term identifies God as the ultimate source of all law and order. He is explicitly called Israel's lawgiver Isaiah 33:22, and His authority extends over creation itself, as when He appointed the foundations of the earth Proverbs 8:29.
  • Permanent Inscription and Remembrance: The physical act of engraving implies an indelible mark. God has graven His people on the palms of His hands, a sign of constant, unfailing remembrance Isaiah 49:16. This idea of permanence is also seen in the command to note words in a book forever Isaiah 30:8.
  • Kingly and Judicial Authority: The word is applied to human rulers who establish justice. Jacob's prophecy guarantees a lawgiver will not depart from Judah Genesis 49:10, and wisdom literature affirms that it is by God that princes decree justice Proverbs 8:15.

Summary

In summary, H2710 moves from the concrete action of engraving to the abstract power of governing and decreeing. It defines the very nature of authority, whether it is God establishing the boundaries of the sea or a king enacting justice. The word powerfully links the permanence of a carved inscription with the enduring authority of law, illustrating how both divine and delegated rule are meant to be established, recorded, and fixed.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb and a noun across 20 occurrences, inflected in 15 grammatical forms.

  • Piel Participle Singular Masculine Absolute 3×
  • Piel Participle Singular Masculine Construct 3×
  • Qal Infinitive Construct 2×
  • Hophal Conjunction+Imperfect 3rd Plural Masculine 1×
  • Piel Imperfect 3rd Plural Masculine 1×
  • Piel Participle Plural Masculine Absolute 1×
  • Pual Participle Passive Singular Masculine Absolute 1×
  • Qal Consecutive Perfect 2nd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Qal Imperative 2nd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Qal Participle Passive Plural Masculine Absolute 1×
  • Qal Participle Plural Masculine Absolute 1×
  • Qal Participle Plural Masculine Construct 1×

+ 3 rarer forms

Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
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".
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.
Piel
The intensive stem — strengthened or emphatic action.
Pual
The passive of the intensive (Piel) stem.
Hophal
The passive of the causative (Hiphil) stem.
Consecutive Perfect
Perfect with vav — continues a sequence into the future.
Conjunction+Imperfect
Imperfect joined by a simple "and".
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 19 verses across 9 books. Most frequent in Isaiah (5 verses).

1
Genesis
1
Numbers
1
Deuteronomy
2
Judges
1
Job
2
Psalms
4
Proverbs
5
Isaiah
2
Ezekiel

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