Lexical Summary
chach: Palate, roof of the mouth, taste
Original Word: חָח
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: chach
Pronunciation: khakh
Phonetic Spelling: (khawkh)
KJV: bracelet, chain, hook
NASB: hooks, hook, brooches
Word Origin: [from the same as H2336 (חוַֹח - thorn bush)]
1. a ring for the nose (or lips)
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
bracelet, chain, hook
Once (Ezek. 29:4) chachiy {khakh-ee'}; from the same as chowach; a ring for the nose (or lips) -- bracelet, chain, hook.
see HEBREW chowach
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom the same as
choachDefinitionhook, ring, fetter
NASB Translationbrooches (1), hook (2), hooks (4).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
; — absolute
Exodus 35:22; suffix
Isaiah 37:29;
2 Kings 19:28; plural
Ezekiel 19:4 2t. +
Ezekiel 29:4 Qr (Kt erroneous , see below); —
hook, ring, in nose of captive Isaiah 37:29 = 2 Kings 19:28 (compare 2Chronicles 33:11, see above); so of princes of Judah, under figure of young lions Ezekiel 19:4,9 (in Ezekiel 19:9 transp:, so that following as Ezekiel 19:4; so Co); in jaws of crocodile (metaphor of Pharaoh), with Ezekiel 29:4, compare Ezekiel 38:4 (but omits and sense opposes, compare Co and — dubious — Da).
hook, ring as ornament, perhaps nose-ring (others brooch, see VB), Exodus 35:22 (P; "" , , ).
(of following; Arabic 👁 Image
, Aramaic 👁 Image
, sew).
Topical Lexicon
Overview of Old Testament Usage The term denotes a physical “hook” or “ring” used on living creatures or worn by humans. In its seven appearances the word moves from the domestic sphere of voluntary offerings (Exodus 35:22) to vivid prophetic images of subjugation and judgment (2 Kings 19:28; Isaiah 37:29; Ezekiel 19:4, 19:9; 29:4; 38:4). This breadth of usage highlights both the ordinary and the dramatic ways Scripture employs concrete objects to teach spiritual truths.
Symbol of Captivity and Control
Several passages depict a hostile power leading away a conquered figure by a hook in the nose or jaws.
• 2 Kings 19:28 records the LORD’s word to Assyrian King Sennacherib: “Because your rage against Me has reached My ears, I will put My hook in your nose and My bit in your mouth, and I will make you return by the way you came.”
• Isaiah 37:29 repeats the same oracle, emphasizing its certainty.
• Ezekiel 19:4 and 19:9 apply the image to Judah’s princes—first Jehoahaz dragged to Egypt, then Jehoiachin to Babylon.
• Ezekiel 29:4 pictures Pharaoh as a great crocodile: “I will put hooks in your jaws and make the fish of your streams stick to your scales.”
• Ezekiel 38:4 portrays the future invasion of Gog: “I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws, and bring you out with all your army.”
The recurring motif underscores divine sovereignty. Proud rulers imagine themselves unassailable predators, yet God leads them like livestock. The humiliation of a nose-ringed beast dramatizes how swiftly human power collapses under divine judgment.
Liturgical Contribution and Voluntary Offering
Exodus 35:22 situates the word in an entirely different context. As the Israelites freely supplied materials for the tabernacle, “every man and woman whose heart moved them came, bringing brooches and earrings and rings and necklaces.” The personal ornament that once served as a fashion accessory became an offering of worship. Thus even commonplace items may be sanctified for God’s service when yielded willingly.
Prophetic Imagery and Theological Themes
1. Divine Ownership: The hook signifies God’s right to direct nations, mirroring Psalm 115:3, “Our God is in heaven; He does whatever pleases Him.”
2. Reversal of Pride: The very nose that sniffed in contempt is pierced; the mouth that boasted is bridled.
3. Protection of the Remnant: By restraining Sennacherib, the LORD preserved Jerusalem, fulfilling His covenant promises to David.
4. Eschatological Preview: Gog’s compelled march (Ezekiel 38:4) foreshadows the ultimate subdual of hostile powers before the reign of the Messiah.
Historical and Cultural Background
In the Ancient Near East, rings in the nose or lip were common for animals and occasionally for prisoners of war. Reliefs from Assyria portray captives tethered by cords attached to a ring through the nose or lips, confirming the brutal practice invoked by the prophets. Such imagery would have resonated immediately with Israelite audiences.
Application for Teaching and Ministry
• Warn against pride and self-sufficiency. The same God who humbled Pharaoh, Assyria, Babylon, and future Gog still opposes the arrogant today (James 4:6).
• Highlight the mercy that accompanies judgment. God’s intervention against Sennacherib simultaneously delivered His people.
• Encourage generous worship. Like the Israelites’ nose rings, believers can dedicate personal treasures—time, talent, resources—for kingdom purposes (2 Corinthians 9:7).
• Reinforce mission confidence. If God directs emperors with a hook, He can certainly guide missionary endeavors and defend the church against opposition.
Christological Reflections
Where tyrants were dragged unwillingly, Jesus submitted willingly: “I lay down My life… No one takes it from Me” (John 10:17-18). The One who could command legions chose the path of voluntary suffering, reversing the humiliation of the hook by triumphing through the cross.
Summary
Across Scripture this modest term ranges from adornment to instrument of subjugation. It calls believers to humility, generosity, and trust in the absolute governance of God, whose hand can both adorn His dwelling with willing gifts and curb the fiercest adversary with a single hook.
Forms and Transliterations
בַּֽחַחִ֔ים בַֽחַחִ֖ים בחחים חַחִ֖ים חַחִ֜י חַחִים֙ חָ֣ח חח חחי חחים ba·ḥa·ḥîm ḇa·ḥa·ḥîm bachaChim baḥaḥîm ḇaḥaḥîm chach chaChi chaChim ḥa·ḥî ḥa·ḥîm ḥāḥ ḥaḥî ḥaḥîm vachaChim
Links
Interlinear Greek •
Interlinear Hebrew •
Strong's Numbers •
Englishman's Greek Concordance •
Englishman's Hebrew Concordance •
Parallel Texts
