Lexical Summary
choq: Statute, decree, ordinance, law, regulation
Original Word:חֹק
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:choq
Pronunciation:khoke
Phonetic Spelling:(khoke)
KJV: appointed, bound, commandment, convenient, custom, decree(-d), due, law, measure, X necessary, ordinance(-nary), portion, set time, statute, task
NASB:statutes, statute, allotment, decree, due, ordinance, portion
Word Origin:[fromH2710 (חָקַק - inscribed)]
1. an enactment
2. (hence) an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
appointed, bound, commandment, convenient, custom, decreed, due, law,
Fromchaqaq; an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage) -- appointed, bound, commandment, convenient, custom, decree(-d), due, law, measure, X necessary, ordinance(- nary), portion, set time, statute, task.
see HEBREWchaqaq
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
chaqaqDefinitionsomething prescribed or owed, a statute
NASB Translationallotment (5), boundaries (1), boundary (2), conditions (1), custom (1), decree (5), due (5), fixed order (1), limit (2), limits (1), measure (1), necessary food (1), ordinance (4), portion (3), portions (1), prescribed portion (1), rations (1), required amount (1), resolves (1), statute (9), statutes (79), thing...due (1), what is appointed (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
127Micah 7:11 ; —
Genesis 47:22 22t.;
Exodus 30:21 14t.; suffix
Proverbs 30:8 3t.;
Leviticus 10:13,14 etc. + 4 t. suffixes; plural
Deuteronomy 4:5 31t.; construct
Exodus 18:16;
Ezekiel 20:18; also
Judges 5:15;
Isaiah 10:1 (Ges
§ 93. 1 R 7);
Job 14:5 etc. + 44 t. suffixes —
prescribed task, assigned to Israel in EgyptExodus 5:14 (E).
prescribed portion, or allowance of foodGenesis 47:22 (twice in verse) (J);Proverbs 30:8;Proverbs 31:15;Ezekiel 16:27;Job 23:12 (RV; < Ol Me Di SSin my bosom).
action prescribed for oneself,resolve:Judges 5:15resolves of mind ""Judges 5:16.
prescribed due of the priests from offeringsLeviticus 6:11;Leviticus 10:13 (twice in verse);Leviticus 10:14 (twice in verse) (P);due ofLeviticus 6:15 (P);Exodus 29:28;Leviticus 7:34;Leviticus 10:15;Numbers 18:8,11,19 (all P),Leviticus 24:9(H); portion of oil for theEzekiel 45:14.
prescribed limit, boundary: of seaJeremiah 5:22;Proverbs 8:29;Job 26:10;Job 38:10; of heavensPsalm 148:6; of land of IsraelMicah 7:11; of timeJob 14:5,13; soIsaiah 5:14Sh®°ôlopeneth wide her mouth, without limit.
enactment, decree, ordinance of either God or man:
specific decree: law of fifth in EgyptGenesis 47:26 (J); of passoverExodus 12:24 (J); lament for Jephthah's daughterJudges 11:39; for Josiah 2Chronicles 35:25;Exodus 15:25;Joshua 24:25 (both E),1 Samuel 30:25;Exodus 30:21; "" ,Psalm 81:5;Psalm 81:6 (law of a festival).
of in natureJob 28:26.
Psalm 2:7; day ofZephaniah 2:2 , but on text see We and , below; covenant with JacobPsalm 105:10 =1 Chronicles 16:17; destiny of manJob 23:14.
law in Generalaccording to law, rightPsalm 94:20 (othersagainst law);Ezra 7:10; "" andIsaiah 25:5; ""Psalm 99:7.
pluralenactments, statutes of a law:
of in natureJeremiah 31:36.
Zechariah 1:6.
conditions of deed of purchaseJeremiah 32:11.
enactments "" : ancestralEzekiel 20:18; given by God as punishment for disobedienceEzekiel 20:25.
decrees of unjust judgesIsaiah 10:1.
civil enactments prescribed by God:Exodus 18:16 (E; "" ),Exodus 18:20 (E; ""id.)
elsewhere of prescriptions of the several codes of Hex:Leviticus 10:11;Numbers 30:17 (P),Deuteronomy 4:6;Deuteronomy 6:24;Deuteronomy 16:12;Psalm 119:5 20t.,Malachi 3:7; ""Amos 2:4;Psalm 105:45;Deuteronomy 17:19; ""Psalm 50:16;2 Kings 17:15; usually either ""Deuteronomy 4:1,5,8,14;Deuteronomy 5:1;Deuteronomy 11:32;Deuteronomy 12:1;Deuteronomy 26:16;1 Kings 9:4 2Chronicles 7:17;1 Chronicles 22:13;Ezekiel 11:12;Ezekiel 36:27, or else combined with other synonym (usually preceding): e.g.Psalm 147:19; 2Chronicles 33:8;Malachi 3:22;Deuteronomy 5:28;Deuteronomy 6:1;Deuteronomy 7:11;Nehemiah 1:7;1 Kings 8:58; , 2Chronicles 19:10;Deuteronomy 4:45;Deuteronomy 6:20; sometimes following: e.g.Leviticus 26:46; ,2 Kings 17:37; or in different order, e.g.Nehemiah 9:13;Nehemiah 10:30;Deuteronomy 26:17. Apart from it is combined with , e.g.Exodus 15:26 (R),Deuteronomy 27:10;Deuteronomy 4:40;1 Kings 3:14;1 Kings 8:61;Nehemiah 9:14;Deuteronomy 6:17;1 Chronicles 29:19; 2Chronicles 34:31;Ezra 7:11; it is used with verbs:Leviticus 26:46 3t.;Numbers 30:17 9t.;Deuteronomy 4:1 10t.;Deuteronomy 26:17 16t.;Deuteronomy 6:24 5t.;Deuteronomy 11:32 4t.;1 Kings 8:61 3t. — [On usage of see near the end]
Topical Lexicon
Definition and Scopeחֹק (choq) denotes what is fixed, prescribed, or allotted. In Scripture it can point to a binding statute, a ritual ordinance, a civic regulation, a defined boundary, or an assigned portion. The word therefore embraces both the moral-legal sphere and the realms of worship, creation, and daily provision.
Occurrences and Literary Distribution
Approximately 126 times, choq appears in the Pentateuch, Historical Books, Wisdom Literature, Prophets, and once in Daniel (Aramaic form). The concentration in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, and Psalms highlights its dual function as covenant legislation and devotional affirmation.
Major Spheres of Usage
1. Divine statutes within covenant revelation
•Genesis 26:5 already links Abraham’s obedience to “My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.”
• At Sinai the term is paired with “commandments” and “judgments” (Exodus 15:25).
• The Deuteronomic sermons constantly urge Israel to “observe His statutes and His commandments” (Deuteronomy 4:40; 6:17).
2. Ritual and worship ordinances
• Passover: “You are to celebrate it as a feast to the Lord; as a perpetual statute throughout your generations” (Exodus 12:14).
• Day of Atonement: “It is to be a statute forever in all your generations” (Leviticus 16:34).
• The priestly portions are “a perpetual statute” (Leviticus 10:13;Numbers 18:19).
3. Civil and social regulations
• Jethro speaks of Moses explaining to the people “the statutes of God and His laws” when judging disputes (Exodus 18:16).
• Joshua renews covenant obligations and “established for them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem” (Joshua 24:25).
• After battle David makes equitable spoil distribution “a statute and an ordinance for Israel to this day” (1 Samuel 30:25).
4. Assigned portions and inheritances
• Land allotments are described as “the statute of the law” (Numbers 26:55-56).
• “This shall be the priests’ due from the people” (Deuteronomy 18:3).
•Proverbs 30:8 uses a cognate to ask for the “food that is my portion.”
5. Fixed bounds in creation and nations
• “When He fixed the boundary for the sea” (Proverbs 8:29).
• “I placed the sand as the boundary of the sea, a perpetual barrier it cannot cross” (Jeremiah 5:22).
•Job 28:26; 38:10 speak of divine decrees for rain and the sea, showing choq as cosmic law.
Divine Statutes and Covenant Faithfulness
Choq underscores that God’s will is not arbitrary but revealed and binding. Obedience secures life and blessing (Deuteronomy 30:16); rejection invites curse and exile (2 Kings 17:34-41). The Psalmist delights in these fixed words: “I have inherited Your testimonies forever, for they are the joy of my heart” (Psalm 119:111).
Ritual and Worship Context
Repeated language of “perpetual statute” ties choq to Israel’s liturgical memory. Each feast and sacrifice embodied covenant history and projected redemptive hope. Thus choq anchors worship in revealed history rather than human innovation.
Civil and Social Life
Choq also regulates equitable community life—property, inheritance, military plunder, and royal rights (e.g.,2 Samuel 8:15). The term reminds rulers and citizens alike that justice is derivative, not self-generated.
Assigned Portions and Provision
Portion language illustrates God’s care: the priests receive food; the widow, orphan, and stranger gain protection; daily bread itself is a “decreed” kindness. InPsalm 104:14-15, creation produces food according to God’s ordered statutes.
Creation’s Fixed Order
Natural law imagery broadens choq beyond Israel to universal stability. Seasons, tides, celestial motions, and rainfall operate by divine decrees, signaling the trustworthy character of the Lawgiver (Psalm 148:6).
Historical Flow
• Patriarchal obedience to unwritten statutes (Genesis 26:5) reveals continuity.
• Sinai codifies them in written form.
• Deuteronomy re-preaches them for a new generation.
• Kingship and exile demonstrate consequences of neglect.
• Post-exilic communities (Nehemiah 9:14) confess failure and renew commitment.
• Prophets anticipate a day when God will “put My law within them” (Jeremiah 31:33), a promise later echoed in the New Covenant.
Theological Significance
1. Revelation: choq affirms that God communicates binding truth.
2. Holiness: fixed statutes mirror His unchanging character.
3. Grace: statutes are given to redeemed people—Exodus 20 follows deliverance.
4. Mission: Israel’s obedience was to be a light to the nations (Deuteronomy 4:6-8).
5. Assurance: natural choq secures the future as surely as moral choq secures the covenant (Jeremiah 33:20-26).
Christological and Eschatological Horizons
Messianic Psalms such asPsalm 2:7 (“You are My Son; today I have become Your Father,” a divinely fixed decree) cast choq forward to the King whose rule will never end. Jesus fulfills the Law (Matthew 5:17) and ratifies the promised inner inscription of statutes by the Spirit (Hebrews 10:16).
Pastoral and Ministry Implications
• Preaching: choq provides warrant for authoritative proclamation.
• Discipleship: statutes shape holy habits;Psalm 119 offers a curriculum for meditation.
• Worship planning: biblical ordinances inform liturgy and sacraments.
• Counseling: fixed moral boundaries guide ethical decisions and protect against cultural drift.
• Apologetics: the harmony between moral and natural choq testifies to a coherent worldview.
Representative References
Genesis 26:5;Exodus 12:14; 15:25-26; 18:16;Leviticus 10:13; 16:34;Numbers 18:19; 26:55-56;Deuteronomy 4:5-8; 6:1-2;Joshua 24:25;1 Samuel 30:25;2 Kings 17:34-41;Nehemiah 9:14;Job 28:26; 38:10;Psalm 2:7; 19:7-11; 94:20; 119 (esp. verses 5, 16, 111, 155);Proverbs 8:29;Isaiah 24:5;Jeremiah 5:22; 31:35-36;Ezekiel 11:20;Daniel 6:5;Malachi 3:7.
Forms and Transliterations
בְּחֻקֶּ֑יךָ בְּחֻקֶּֽיךָ׃ בְּחֻקַּי֙ בְּחֻקָּ֛יו בְּחוּקֵּ֤י בְחֻקֶּ֣יךָ בְחֻקֶּֽיךָ׃ בחוקי בחקי בחקיו בחקיך בחקיך׃ הַ֣חֻקִּ֔ים הַֽחֻקִּ֖ים הַֽחֻקִּ֗ים הַֽחֻקִּ֣ים הַֽחֻקִּים֙ הַחֻקִּ֖ים הַחֻקִּ֣ים הַחֻקִּ֥ים הַחֻקִּ֨ים החקים וְ֝חֹ֗ק וְהַֽחֻקִּ֖ים וְהַֽחֻקִּ֥ים וְהַֽחֻקִּים֙ וְהַחֻקִּ֖ים וְהַחֻקִּ֥ים וְחָק־ וְחֹ֣ק וְחֹ֨ק וְחֻקִּים֙ וְחֻקֶּ֥יךָ וְחֻקַּ֗י וְחֻקַּ֥י וְחֻקָּ֔יו וְחֻקָּ֖יו וְחֻקָּֽיו׃ וְחֻקָּיו֙ והחקים וחק וחק־ וחקי וחקיו וחקיו׃ וחקיך וחקים חָקְךָ֤ חָקְכֶ֤ם חָק־ חֹ֑ק חֹ֔ק חֹ֖ק חֹ֣ק חֹ֥ק חֹ֨ק חֹֽק־ חֹֽק׃ חֻ֝קֶּ֗יךָ חֻ֝קֶּיךָ חֻ֭קָּיו חֻקִּ֑י חֻקִּ֖ים חֻקִּ֥ים חֻקִּֽי׃ חֻקִּים֙ חֻקֵּ֑ךְ חֻקֵּ֥י חֻקֶּ֗יךָ חֻקֶּ֥יךָ חֻקֶּֽיךָ׃ חֻקַּ֥י חֻקַּי֙ חֻקָּ֑י חֻקָּ֑יו חֻקָּ֔יו חֻקָּ֗יו חֻקָּ֣יו חֻקָּ֥יו חֻקָּ֧יו חֻקָּם֙ חֻקּ֗וֹ חֻקָּ֥יו חק חק־ חק׃ חקו חקי חקי׃ חקיו חקיך חקיך׃ חקים חקך חקכם חקם לְחָק־ לְחֹ֑ק לְחֹ֔ק לְחֹ֖ק לְחֹ֤ק לְחֹק֩ לְחֻקִּ֣ים לחק לחק־ לחקים מֵ֝חֻקִּ֗י מֵֽחֻקַּי֙ מֵחֻקֶּ֑יךָ מחקי מחקיך bə·ḥuq·qāw bə·ḥuq·qay bə·ḥūq·qê bə·ḥuq·qe·ḵā ḇə·ḥuq·qe·ḵā bechukKai bechukKav bechukKei bechukKeicha bəḥuqqāw bəḥuqqay bəḥūqqê bəḥuqqeḵā ḇəḥuqqeḵā chakeCha chakeChem chok chukKai chukKam chukKav chukKech chukKei chukKeicha chukKi chukKim chukKo ha·ḥuq·qîm ḥā·qə·ḵā ḥā·qə·ḵem hachukKim haḥuqqîm ḥāq- ḥāqəḵā ḥāqəḵem ḥōq ḥōq- ḥuq·qām ḥuq·qāw ḥuq·qay ḥuq·qāy ḥuq·qê ḥuq·qe·ḵā ḥuq·qêḵ ḥuq·qî ḥuq·qîm ḥuq·qōw ḥuqqām ḥuqqāw ḥuqqay ḥuqqāy ḥuqqê ḥuqqêḵ ḥuqqeḵā ḥuqqî ḥuqqîm ḥuqqōw lə·ḥāq- lə·ḥōq lə·ḥuq·qîm leChok lechukKim ləḥāq- ləḥōq ləḥuqqîm mê·ḥuq·qay mê·ḥuq·qe·ḵā mê·ḥuq·qî mechukKai mechukKeicha mechukKi mêḥuqqay mêḥuqqeḵā mêḥuqqî vechok vechukKai vechukKav vechukKeicha vechukKim vehachukKim wə·ha·ḥuq·qîm wə·ḥāq- wə·ḥōq wə·ḥuq·qāw wə·ḥuq·qay wə·ḥuq·qe·ḵā wə·ḥuq·qîm wəhaḥuqqîm wəḥāq- wəḥōq wəḥuqqāw wəḥuqqay wəḥuqqeḵā wəḥuqqîm
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