חֲנֻכָּה (cha.nuk.kah)
cha.nuk.kah
dedication
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun chanukkâ refers to a formal dedication or consecration, marking the moment an object, person, or place is set apart for sacred use. In the Hebrew Bible, this term appears in six verses, primarily within historical narratives that document the restoration of religious life after periods of disruption.
Its most prominent usage occurs in 2 Chronicles 7:5 and 35:6, where King Solomon and King Josiah respectively celebrate the dedication of the Temple. The word also appears in Nehemiah 12:27-43 during the celebration following the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls, and in Numbers 7:84-88 regarding the offering of leaders for the Tabernacle’s inauguration. These contexts highlight chanukkâ as a public act of worship that affirms God’s presence and covenant faithfulness.
While the modern festival of Hanukkah derives its name from this root, the biblical usage is broader than the later holiday. It simply denotes the act of setting something holy apart, whether it be an altar, a city wall, or a sanctuary. The term underscores the importance of ritual purity and communal celebration in re-establishing worship.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word chanukkâ points to a moment of setting something apart for God. It is not just about building a structure, but about inviting His presence into a space that has been prepared with care and obedience. When Solomon or Josiah celebrated this dedication, the focus was on communal joy and the assurance that God had heard their prayers.
For your own life, this concept reminds us that our hearts and homes can be spaces of sacred purpose. It invites you to pause and acknowledge the moments where God has brought restoration after a time of disruption. Whether it is a new beginning or a repaired relationship, there is grace in recognizing how He makes things holy through faithful action.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [was] [the] dedication of2×
- [the] dedication of2×
- for/ [the] dedication of1×
- dedication1×
- and/ at/ [the] dedication of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חֲנֻכַּ֣ת4×
- לַ/חֲנֻכַּ֖ת1×
- חֲנֻכָּ֤ה1×
- וּ/בַ/חֲנֻכַּ֞ת1×
Key Verses
-
II Chronicles 7:9
On the eighth day, they held a solemn assembly; for they kept the dedication of the altar seven days, and the feast seven days.
This verse highlights the communal aspect of dedication, showing that celebrating God's faithfulness with others strengthens the entire community's trust in His presence.
-
Nehemiah 12:27
At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem to keep the dedication with gladness, both with giving thanks and with singing, with cymbals, stringed instruments, and with harps.
Here the word connects physical restoration to spiritual joy, illustrating how rebuilding what was lost becomes an act of worship when done with gladness.
-
Numbers 7:84
This was the dedication offering of the altar, on the day when it was anointed, by the princes of Israel: twelve silver platters, twelve silver bowls, twelve golden ladles;
The detailed list of offerings emphasizes that dedication involves tangible sacrifice and order, reflecting a heart that values God's instructions precisely.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does chanukkâ mean in the Bible?
Is this word related to the Jewish holiday Hanukkah?
Where does this word appear most often?
Every Occurrence (6 verses across 3 books)
Numbers 4 verses
The princes gave offerings for the dedication of the altar in the day that it was anointed. The princes gave their…
Numbers 7:11Yahweh said to Moses, “They shall offer their offering, each prince on his day, for the dedication of the altar.”
Numbers 7:84This was the dedication offering of the altar, on the day when it was anointed, by the princes of Israel: twelve silver…
Numbers 7:88and all the cattle for the sacrifice of peace offerings: twenty-four bulls, sixty rams, sixty male goats, and sixty…