or (fully) חוּקֹק; from חָקַק; appointed; Chukkok or Chukok, a place in Palestine; Hukkok, Hukok.
Transliteration:Chuqqôq
Pronunciation:Khook-koke'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word H2712, "חֻקֹּק" (Chuqqôq), is a proper noun, specifically a geographical place name. Its core meaning is derived from its root verb H2710 (חָקַק - *chaqaq*), which primarily signifies "to engrave," "to cut in," or "to inscribe." From this foundational sense, the semantic range of the root extends to "to decree," "to ordain," "to enact," or "to appoint." Therefore, "Chuqqôq" most likely carries the meaning of "appointed place," "decreed place," or "engraved/marked place." This etymology suggests a location that was designated or fixed, perhaps by divine decree or by a formal tribal allocation, serving as a permanent marker. As a proper noun, its own semantic range is limited to its identity as a specific location, but its name is deeply resonant with the actions and concepts of its verbal root.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The place name "Hukkok" (H2712) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the book of Joshua.
* **[[Joshua 19:34]]**: "And the border turned westward to Aznoth-tabor, and went out from thence to Hukkok, and reached to Zebulun on the south, and reached to Asher on the west, and to Judah upon Jordan toward the sunrising."
In this sole occurrence, Hukkok is listed as a significant landmark defining the tribal boundaries of Naphtali. The context is the detailed description of the inheritance allotted to each of the twelve tribes of Israel after the conquest of Canaan. Hukkok's mention alongside other known geographical features like Aznoth-tabor, Zebulun, Asher, and the Jordan River, underscores its importance as a fixed and recognizable point in the landscape. Its role as a boundary marker aligns perfectly with the etymological sense of an "appointed" or "decreed" place, emphasizing the precision and permanence of the tribal divisions. The meticulous detailing of these borders in Joshua highlights the divine ordering of the land's distribution among God's people.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related word to H2712 is its verbal root:
* **H2710 (חָקַק - *chaqaq*)**: This verb means "to engrave, inscribe, decree, ordain, legislate, appoint." It is used to describe the act of carving laws onto tablets, establishing ordinances, or setting fixed boundaries.
* Examples include [[Isaiah 30:8]] (engrave a law), [[Proverbs 8:27]] (God setting a circle on the face of the deep), and [[Numbers 21:18]] (the princes digging with their staves, referring to a decree or boundary).
Other related nouns derived from the same root include:
* **H2706 (חֹק - *choq*)**: Meaning "statute, ordinance, boundary, allotted portion." This noun frequently refers to divine laws or decrees, but also to fixed limits or portions, which is highly relevant to Hukkok's function as a boundary marker.
* **H2708 (חֻקָּה - *chuqqah*)**: Meaning "statute, ordinance, custom." Often used for established religious laws or practices.
* **H2711 (חָקִיק - *chaqiq*)**: Meaning "engraved."
Thematically, Hukkok connects to broader biblical concepts such as:
* **Tribal Allotments**: The division of the land among the tribes of Israel, a central theme in the book of Joshua.
* **Divine Decree and Sovereignty**: God's ultimate authority in establishing order and fulfilling His promises.
* **Inheritance**: The concept of the land as a promised inheritance from God to His people.
* **Established Boundaries**: The importance of fixed limits and order in God's creation and in the life of His covenant people.
### Theological Significance
While Hukkok is merely a geographical name, its etymological root—"appointed" or "decreed"—imbues it with significant theological resonance within the narrative of Israel's land inheritance. The meticulous enumeration of tribal boundaries in Joshua, of which Hukkok is a part, is not merely a geographical exercise but a profound theological statement. It underscores God's absolute sovereignty and His unwavering faithfulness in fulfilling the covenant promises made to Abraham regarding the land ([[Genesis 12:7]], [[Genesis 15:18]]).
Every boundary marker, including Hukkok, represents a divinely "appointed" portion, not merely a result of human negotiation or conquest. This highlights that the land was a gift from God, distributed according to His precise will and wisdom. The act of dividing the land was an act of divine legislation and decree, reflecting the orderly, just, and reliable character of God. The fixed and "engraved" nature implied by the name "Hukkok" suggests the permanence and certainty of God's covenant and His provisions for His people.
Hukkok, therefore, serves as a tangible reminder of God's faithfulness in providing a specific "place" and an enduring inheritance for His people. This theological theme of a divinely appointed inheritance resonates throughout biblical theology, finding its ultimate fulfillment in the New Covenant's promise of an eternal, spiritual inheritance for believers ([[Hebrews 9:15]], [[1 Peter 1:4]]).
### Summary
H2712, "חֻקֹּק" (Chuqqôq), is a proper noun referring to a specific place in ancient Israel, meaning "appointed" or "decreed place." Its name is derived from the Hebrew root H2710 (חָקַק), which signifies "to engrave, decree, or appoint." Hukkok appears only once in the Bible, in [[Joshua 19:34]], where it is identified as a crucial boundary point for the tribe of Naphtali within their allotted inheritance. Theologically, Hukkok serves as a powerful testament to God's sovereign decree in distributing the land to Israel, underscoring His faithfulness in fulfilling His promises and His meticulous ordering of His people's lives. It symbolizes the divinely ordained and permanent nature of the tribal allotments, reflecting God's unwavering care and provision for His covenant people.
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