Lexical Summary chug: inscribed a circle Original Word: חוּג Strong's Exhaustive Concordance compass A primitive root (compare chagag); to describe a circle -- compass. see HEBREW chagag NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina 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”. 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: 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. 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. 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. 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 ḥāḡLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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