from חָשַׁק; conjoined, i.e. a wheel-spoke or rod connecting the hub with the rim; felloe.
Transliteration:chishshuq
Pronunciation:khish-shook'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word chishshuq (חִשֻּׁק, `{{H2839}}`) is a noun derived from the verb chashaq (חָשַׁק, `{{H2836}}`), which carries the core meaning of "to cling, to long for, to be attached to, or to be joined." This etymological root is crucial for understanding the semantic range of chishshuq. The base definition provided indicates a "conjoined" element, specifically "a wheel-spoke or rod connecting the hub with the rim; felloe." Thus, chishshuq refers to a structural component that serves to connect, bind, or hold together distinct parts, ensuring the integrity and functionality of a larger construct. Its primary semantic domain is therefore within the realm of physical connection, cohesion, and structural support.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word chishshuq (חִשֻּׁק, `{{H2839}}`) appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both instances occurring within the detailed instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle:
* **[[Exodus 27:17]]**: "All the pillars around the court shall have bands of silver; their hooks shall be of silver, and their *chishshuq* (felloes) of silver." Here, chishshuq is listed among the silver components for the pillars of the Tabernacle court. While some translations render it as "felloes" (implying a wheel-like structure, though not literally a wheel in this context), the more general sense of "connecting rods" or "bands" is widely accepted. These elements were vital for the stability and proper assembly of the court's perimeter.
* **[[Exodus 38:17]]**: "The bases for the pillars were of bronze, their hooks of silver, and their *chishshuq* (felloes) of silver; and the overlaying of their capitals was of silver, and all the pillars of the court were fitted with silver bands." This verse reiterates the same detail found in [[Exodus 27:17]], confirming the role of chishshuq as a silver connecting element for the Tabernacle pillars.
In both contexts, chishshuq denotes a specific, divinely prescribed component used in the sacred architecture. Its function is to provide structural integrity and connection, ensuring that the various parts of the Tabernacle's court are properly joined and supported. The consistent mention of silver as the material for these chishshuqim is also noteworthy, suggesting a value and purity associated with these connecting elements.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most immediate and significant related word is the verbal root chashaq (חָשַׁק, `{{H2836}}`), from which chishshuq is derived. This root verb is used in various contexts to denote:
* **Strong Affection or Desire**: As seen in [[Deuteronomy 7:7]] ("The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the fewest of all peoples") or [[Psalm 91:14]] ("Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him").
* **Physical Joining or Binding**: For instance, in [[Exodus 38:28]], it describes the joining of the curtain rods by hooks.
This dual application of the root chashaq—encompassing both emotional attachment and physical connection—enriches the understanding of chishshuq. While chishshuq refers to a physical connector, it implicitly carries the nuance of being "bound" or "joined" in a way that suggests intentionality and secure attachment.
Other related concepts include:
* **Structural Elements**: Words like beriyach (בְּרִיחַ, `{{H1280}}`, "bar" or "bolt"), yathed (יָתֵד, `{{H3489}}`, "peg" or "nail"), or terms for "bands" or "rings" (e.g., qashar `{{H7194}}` "to bind") that serve to connect or secure components in construction.
* **Tabernacle Vocabulary**: The broader lexicon associated with the Tabernacle emphasizes precision, divine instruction, and the interconnectedness of all parts working together to fulfill a sacred purpose.
### Theological Significance
The specific and limited use of chishshuq in the Tabernacle's construction carries profound theological implications:
* **Divine Meticulousness and Order**: The detailed instructions for the Tabernacle, down to the chishshuqim of silver, underscore God's absolute precision and meticulousness in His divine plan. Every component, no matter how seemingly minor, was essential and divinely prescribed, highlighting that God's dwelling place is built according to perfect order and design.
* **Unity and Cohesion in God's Dwelling**: As a connecting element, chishshuq symbolizes the necessity of unity, cohesion, and proper joining within God's sacred space. Just as the physical structure of the Tabernacle required these connecting rods for its integrity and stability, so too does the spiritual "dwelling place" of God (His people, the Church) require unity and interconnectedness among its members (cf. [[Ephesians 4:16]], where Christ is the head, "from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love").
* **Strength and Stability through Divine Connection**: The chishshuqim provided strength and stability to the Tabernacle's court pillars, ensuring the structure could withstand being moved and reassembled. Theologically, this points to the enduring strength and stability found in God's presence and in the divinely ordained connections within His community. True spiritual stability comes from being rightly joined to God and to one another according to His design.
* **Purity and Redemption (Silver)**: The material, silver, often signifies purity, redemption, or atonement in the Old Testament (e.g., the half-shekel atonement money in [[Exodus 30:13-16]]). That the connecting elements are made of silver suggests that the bonds that hold God's sacred structure (and by extension, His people) together are rooted in purity, divine provision, and the redemptive work of God.
### Summary
The Hebrew word chishshuq (חִשֻּׁק, `{{H2839}}`), derived from the root chashaq (`{{H2836}}` "to cling, to be attached"), denotes a connecting or joining element, specifically a rod, spoke, or felloe that binds distinct parts for structural integrity. Its two biblical occurrences are exclusively found in the instructions for the Tabernacle's construction ([[Exodus 27:17]], [[Exodus 38:17]]), where it refers to the silver connecting bands or rods for the court pillars. Theologically, chishshuq underscores God's meticulous design and the sacredness of every detail in His dwelling. It powerfully symbolizes the divine order, the critical importance of unity and cohesion within God's people, and the strength and stability derived from divinely ordained connections, all contributing to the purity and integrity of His sacred presence.
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