2838. chashuq
Lexical Summary
chashuq: Beloved, attached, desired

Original Word: חָשֻׁק
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: chashuq
Pronunciation: khaw-shook'
Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-shook')
KJV: fillet
NASB: bands
Word Origin: [past participle of H2836 (חָשַׁק - To love)]

1. attached, i.e. a fence-rail or rod connecting the posts or pillars

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
fillet

Or chashuwq {khaw-shook'}; past participle of chashaq; attached, i.e. A fence-rail or rod connecting the posts or pillars -- fillet.

see HEBREW chashaq

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
pass. part. of chashaq
Definition
a fillet or ring
NASB Translation
bands (8).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
[חָשׁוּק] noun [masculine] fillet or ring clasping (binding) a pillar of the tabernacle, only plural suffix חֲשֻׁקֵיהֶם Exodus 27:10 5t.; חֲשׁוּקַיהֶם Exodus 38:12,17; those of the pillars at door of tabernacle (הָאֹהֶל) were overlaid with gold Exodus 36:38; those of the pillars of the court with silver Exodus 27:10,11; Exodus 38:10,11,12,17,19 (all P), see Di on Exodus 27:10; > Thes and most who understand of connecting-rods, joining tops of pillars, from which curtains were hung.

Topical Lexicon
Meaning and Usage

The term denotes the ornamental silver bands that encircled the wooden posts supporting the curtains of the Tabernacle court. Rather than a loose cord, the word pictures a fitted, hammered strip that both decorates and unites the individual posts into a visually continuous line.

Occurrences in Exodus

The word appears eight times, confined to the instructions for—and the actual construction of—the wilderness sanctuary (Exodus 27:10, 27:11; 36:38; 38:10, 38:11, 38:12, 38:17, 38:19). In each text it describes the silver “bands” or “fillets” (KJV) that girded the pillars.

“...with twenty posts and twenty bronze bases, with silver hooks and bands on the posts.” (Exodus 27:10)

“...all the posts of the courtyard were fitted with silver bands.” (Exodus 38:17)

Architectural Function in the Tabernacle

1. Structural stability: The bands added strength, preventing splitting of the acacia-wood posts.
2. Visual unity: The eye followed an unbroken gleam of silver around the enclosure, setting off the sanctuary as a distinct, ordered space.
3. Attachment points: Hooks fixed into the same silverwork held the linen hangings, ensuring tension without tearing.

Symbolic and Theological Significance

Silver is consistently linked with redemption (Numbers 3:47; Matthew 26:15). Encircling the pillars, the silver bands proclaimed that every point of access to God’s dwelling was secured by redemptive provision. The posts themselves stood in bronze sockets (judgment) while bearing silver bands (redemption) and supporting pure white linen curtains (righteousness)—a threefold testimony that sinners approach the Holy One only through judgment satisfied and redemption applied.

Typological Connection to Christ and the Church

• Christ our Redeemer: The glinting silver anticipates “the precious blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:19) that encircles and protects all who draw near.
• Believers as Pillars: James, Cephas, and John were called “pillars” (Galatians 2:9). The silver bands suggest the unifying redemption that binds individual believers into one holy Temple (Ephesians 2:21).
• Unity in Diversity: Wooden posts varied slightly in grain and size yet appeared uniform once banded. Likewise, redeemed believers retain personal distinctions while sharing identical standing in grace.

Ministry Implications Today

1. Redeemed Fellowship: Congregations should cultivate visible marks of unity grounded in the Gospel, not in external likeness.
2. Discipleship Craftsmanship: Artisanship mattered; so should careful, skilled ministry that preserves purity and order in worship (1 Corinthians 14:40).
3. Holiness with Accessibility: The bands did not bar entry but guided it. Churches are called to set clear, graceful boundaries that invite sinners to approach God on redemptive terms.

Historical Reflection

Early Jewish commentators viewed the bands as signs of God’s majesty; early Christian writers saw in the shining circuit a figure of apostolic preaching encircling the world. Throughout history craftsmen of synagogues and churches have echoed the motif—metal collars on posts, railings, and chancels—continuing the visual sermon first preached by the silver bands of the Tabernacle court.

Forms and Transliterations
וַחֲשֻׁקֵיהֶ֖ם וַחֲשׁוּקֵיהֶ֖ם וַחֲשׁוּקֵיהֶם֙ וחשוקיהם וחשקיהם vachashukeiHem wa·ḥă·šu·qê·hem wa·ḥă·šū·qê·hem waḥăšuqêhem waḥăšūqêhem
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Exodus 27:10
HEB: וָוֵ֧י הָעַמֻּדִ֛ים וַחֲשֻׁקֵיהֶ֖ם כָּֽסֶף׃
NAS: of the pillars and their bands [shall be] of silver.
KJV: of the pillars and their fillets [shall be of] silver.
INT: the hooks of the pillars and their bands silver

Exodus 27:11
HEB: וָוֵ֧י הָֽעַמֻּדִ֛ים וַחֲשֻׁקֵיהֶ֖ם כָּֽסֶף׃
NAS: of the pillars and their bands [shall be] of silver.
KJV: of the pillars and their fillets [of] silver.
INT: the hooks pillars and their bands silver

Exodus 36:38
HEB: וְצִפָּ֧ה רָאשֵׁיהֶ֛ם וַחֲשֻׁקֵיהֶ֖ם זָהָ֑ב וְאַדְנֵיהֶ֥ם
NAS: their tops and their bands with gold;
KJV: their chapiters and their fillets with gold:
INT: overlaid their tops and their bands gold sockets

Exodus 38:10
HEB: וָוֵ֧י הָעַמֻּדִ֛ים וַחֲשֻׁקֵיהֶ֖ם כָּֽסֶף׃
NAS: of the pillars and their bands [were] of silver.
KJV: of the pillars and their fillets [were of] silver.
INT: the hooks of the pillars and their bands silver

Exodus 38:11
HEB: וָוֵ֧י הָֽעַמּוּדִ֛ים וַחֲשֻׁקֵיהֶ֖ם כָּֽסֶף׃
NAS: of the pillars and their bands [were] of silver.
KJV: of the pillars and their fillets [of] silver.
INT: the hooks of the pillars and their bands silver

Exodus 38:12
HEB: וָוֵ֧י הָעַמֻּדִ֛ים וַחֲשׁוּקֵיהֶ֖ם כָּֽסֶף׃
NAS: of the pillars and their bands [were] of silver.
KJV: of the pillars and their fillets [of] silver.
INT: the hooks of the pillars and their bands silver

Exodus 38:17
HEB: וָוֵ֨י הָֽעַמּוּדִ֜ים וַחֲשׁוּקֵיהֶם֙ כֶּ֔סֶף וְצִפּ֥וּי
NAS: of the pillars and their bands, of silver;
KJV: of the pillars and their fillets [of] silver;
INT: the hooks of the pillars and their bands of silver and the overlaying

Exodus 38:19
HEB: וְצִפּ֧וּי רָאשֵׁיהֶ֛ם וַחֲשֻׁקֵיהֶ֖ם כָּֽסֶף׃
NAS: of their tops and their bands [were] of silver.
KJV: of their chapiters and their fillets [of] silver.
INT: and the overlaying of their tops and their bands silver

8 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 2838
8 Occurrences


wa·ḥă·šu·qê·hem — 8 Occ.

2837
Top of Page
Top of Page