חִשֻּׁק (chish.shuq)
chish.shuq
spoke
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun chishshuq refers specifically to the spoke of a wheel, serving as the structural link between the central hub and the outer rim. This is a rare term in Scripture, appearing only once in the Hebrew Bible at 1 Kings 7:33, where it describes the intricate bronze wheels crafted for the movable stands in Solomon’s Temple.
In that context, the word highlights the precision of the artisan’s work. The spokes were not merely decorative; they provided the necessary tension and support to hold the wheel together under load. By naming this specific component, the text emphasizes the durability and engineering skill involved in creating these large, functional objects for the temple court.
Translators typically render chishshuq simply as "spoke," though some versions specify "wheel spoke" to distinguish it from other uses of the word. The term underscores the practical reality of ancient craftsmanship, reminding readers that even sacred furnishings required robust mechanical design to function effectively in their daily use.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word chishshuq appears only once in Scripture, describing the spokes of the massive bronze wheels in Solomon’s Temple. These spokes connected the hub to the rim, bearing weight and keeping the structure stable under pressure. This detail reminds us that God values precision and durability in His work.
For your faith, this image offers a quiet encouragement. Like the spoke, you are part of a larger design. Your strength comes from being firmly connected to the center. When life feels heavy, remember that stability is not about standing alone but about holding fast to what supports you. God’s craftsmanship in the temple mirrors His care for your life.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ spokes/ their1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/חִשֻּׁקֵי/הֶ֛ם1×
Key Verses
-
I Kings 7:33
The work of the wheels was like the work of a chariot wheel. Their axles, their rims, their spokes, and their hubs were all of cast metal.
This verse lists the spokes alongside axles and rims, showing they are essential structural components of the temple’s movable stands.