2328. chug
Lexical Summary
chug: inscribed a circle

Original Word: חוּג
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: chuwg
Pronunciation: khüg
Phonetic Spelling: (khoog)
KJV: compass
NASB: inscribed a circle
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to describe a circle

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
compass

A primitive root (compare chagag); to describe a circle -- compass.

see HEBREW chagag

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to draw around, make a circle
NASB Translation
inscribed a circle (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
[חוּג] verb draw round, make a circle (Aramaic circumivit; noun , חוּגְתָּא, circle, vault of heavens) —

Qal Perfect חֹק חָג עלפֿני מים Job 26:10 (compare Proverbs 8:27), hath drawn as a circle a bound, etc., of the horizon-line.

Topical Lexicon
Overview

חוּג (chûg, Strong’s 2328) is a verb meaning “to inscribe a circle, to compass, to draw a circular boundary.” In its single Old Testament occurrence (Job 26:10) it portrays the Lord deliberately tracing the horizon on the face of the primeval waters. The image communicates intelligent design, order, and dominion—fundamental themes in the biblical doctrine of creation.

Biblical Usage

Job 26:10 is the only verbal instance: “He has inscribed a circle on the surface of the waters, at the boundary between light and darkness”.
• Cognate nouns from the same root appear elsewhere (for example, Isaiah 40:22; Proverbs 8:27), reinforcing the idea of a domed or circular horizon established by God. Although those passages employ a different Strong’s number, they share the same semantic field and deepen the picture of the Creator setting boundaries.

Context in Job 26:10

Job 26 is a hymn of God’s power recited by Job in the midst of suffering. Verses 5–14 rehearse a series of mighty acts—stilling the seas, piercing the fleeing serpent, hanging the earth upon nothing—and verse 10 is part of that crescendo. By mentioning God’s drawing of the horizon, Job affirms that even the division between day and night is neither arbitrary nor self-sustaining; it is maintained by the Lord’s ongoing governance. The action of “inscribing” emphasizes artistry as well as authority.

Relationship to Related Words

While 2328 is strictly verbal, its close relatives enlarge the theme:
Isaiah 40:22 speaks of God “sitting above the circle of the earth,” underlining His transcendence.
Proverbs 8:27 recalls Wisdom present “when He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep,” paralleling the creative act noted in Job.

Taken together, the verb and its nouns establish a conceptual trifecta—design, boundary, preservation.

Theological Significance: God’s Sovereign Ordering of Creation

1. Divine Architect: Scripture consistently presents creation as structured, not chaotic. חוּג contributes to that portrayal by picturing God deliberately drawing limits.
2. Sustainer: The circle on the waters is not a one-time flourish; Job 26 describes present-tense, ongoing oversight (“He has inscribed,” implying the line still stands). This harmonizes with Colossians 1:17, “in Him all things hold together.”
3. Revelation of Glory: The orderly horizon silently preaches the wisdom and stability of its Maker (Psalm 19:1). It invites worship rather than mere scientific curiosity.

Historical and Cultural Background

Ancient Near Eastern cosmologies often imagined capricious deities battling primordial chaos. By contrast, Job’s statement depicts a single, sovereign God calmly establishing the horizon. The language neither adopts mythological struggle nor denies observational reality; it situates natural phenomena within covenantal theology.

Implications for the Doctrine of Creation

• Compatibility with Observation: The verse accommodates a rounded horizon as observed by mariners and desert travelers, illustrating that Scripture speaks accurately without resorting to speculative myth.
• Moral Boundaries: The physical boundary between light and darkness mirrors the ethical boundaries God sets for human life (cf. Proverbs 22:28). The Creator who limits the waters also limits evil, promising ultimate justice (Revelation 21:1).

Ministry and Practical Application

• Worship: Congregations may reflect on Job 26:10 to foster awe at God’s artistry, especially in songs or prayers that celebrate creation.
• Apologetics: The verse provides a thoughtful bridge between scientific observation of the horizon and a biblical worldview, showing that faith honors genuine inquiry.
• Pastoral Care: For believers overwhelmed by chaos—whether global turmoil or personal suffering—Job’s testimony reminds them that their lives, like the cosmos, rest within God’s encircling care.

Further Study Recommendations

Job 26; Psalm 104; Proverbs 8:22–31; Isaiah 40:21–31; Romans 1:18–23; Colossians 1:15–20.

Forms and Transliterations
חָ֭ג חג chag ḥāḡ
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Englishman's Concordance
Job 26:10
HEB: חֹֽק־ חָ֭ג עַל־ פְּנֵי־
NAS: He has inscribed a circle on the surface
KJV: He hath compassed the waters
INT: bounds has inscribed on the surface

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 2328
1 Occurrence


ḥāḡ — 1 Occ.

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