חֵ֫דֶק (che.deq)
che.deq
briar
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun chedeq refers to a type of thorny bush or briar, specifically one that is difficult to clear and prone to causing injury. In the Hebrew Bible, it serves as a concrete image for obstruction and danger, representing vegetation that is not merely wild but actively hostile to human progress.
This word appears in only two verses, both carrying strong metaphorical weight. In Proverbs 26:9, it describes how folly is like a thornbush stuck in the hand of a fool; just as handling such a plant risks drawing blood, relying on foolish counsel brings harm to those who accept it. Similarly, Micah 7:4 uses chedeq to depict the upright among the people as less formidable than these sharp, tangled bushes, highlighting a time when moral integrity is scarce and spiritual defenses are weak.
Unlike generic terms for thorns that might simply denote wild growth, chedeq often implies a persistent, irritating hazard. Translators typically render it as "thorn" or "brier," capturing its nature as an unwelcome obstacle that demands caution and care to navigate.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word chedeq describes a tough, tangled briar that catches clothes and draws blood. It is not just wild growth but an active obstacle. In Proverbs 15:19, this sharp bush blocks the way of the lazy person. The path of the upright remains clear and open. This contrast shows how our choices shape our daily journey.
Micah 7:4 uses this image to show how rare true integrity can be. When society fails, even the best among us may seem weak compared to these thorns. Yet God sees the heart behind the struggle. He does not measure your worth by the obstacles around you but by your faithfulness to Him.
When life feels blocked or dangerous, remember that clarity is possible. You are called to walk a straight path, even when others wander into thickets. Trust that God guides your steps toward peace and safety.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- thorn[s]1×
- [is] like/ a thorn-bush1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- כְּ/חֵ֔דֶק1×
- חָ֑דֶק1×
Key Verses
-
Proverbs 15:19
The way of the sluggard is like a thorn patch, but the path of the upright is a highway.
This verse contrasts the obstructed path of the sluggard with the clear highway of the upright, using chedeq to symbolize self-imposed difficulty.
-
Micah 7:4
The best of them is like a brier. The most upright is worse than a thorn hedge. The day of your watchmen, even your visitation, has come; now is the time of their confusion.
Here the word highlights the scarcity of moral integrity by comparing even the best people to dangerous, tangled briars in a time of social collapse.