חֻר (chur)
chur
cavern
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun chur denotes a hole or cavern, appearing only twice in the Old Testament. Its primary occurrence is in Isaiah 2:10, where the prophet calls people to hide in the rocks during a time of divine judgment. The word conveys a sense of physical shelter within the earth, emphasizing the need for concealment and protection from impending danger.
While similar to other words for holes or pits, chur specifically implies a cave-like space rather than a simple depression or well. This distinction highlights its use as a place of refuge in times of crisis. The rare usage underscores the gravity of the situations described, where natural formations become essential sanctuaries.
Translators typically render chur as "hole" or "cave," depending on context. In Isaiah 2:10, the imagery of hiding in rock holes vividly portrays human vulnerability and the urgency of seeking safety. This single example illustrates how the word functions within its biblical narrative, capturing both physical reality and theological significance.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word chur describes a cavern or a hole in the rock. It appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible. In Isaiah 2:10, the prophet urges people to hide in these rocky holes when judgment comes. This image shows how small and vulnerable humans feel against divine power. We seek safety in the earth itself.
Isaiah 11:8 paints a different picture. Here, a child plays near a cobra’s hole. The danger is real, but the scene is one of peace. The predator no longer harms. This shift from fear to safety shows how God changes our relationship with danger. We do not need to hide in terror.
These verses remind us that God is greater than any threat. Whether we face judgment or daily fears, He offers true shelter. Trusting Him brings peace that rocks cannot provide.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- in <the>/ holes1×
- [the] hole of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חֻ֣ר1×
- בַּֽ/חוּרִים֙1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 11:8
The nursing child will play near a cobra’s hole, and the weaned child will put his hand on the viper’s den.
This verse uses the word to describe a cobra's hole in a vision of future peace, showing how danger is neutralized under God's reign.
-
Isaiah 42:22
But this is a robbed and plundered people. All of them are snared in holes, and they are hidden in prisons. They have become captives, and no one delivers, and a plunder, and no one says, ‘Restore them!’
Here the term refers to holes where captives are snared, highlighting human helplessness and the need for deliverance.