Original Word: חָנַךְ
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: chanak
Pronunciation: khaw-nak'
Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-nak')
Definition: to narrow, to initiate, discipline
Meaning: To narrow, to initiate, to discipline

Word Origin: A primitive root

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The concept of initiation or dedication in the Hebrew חָנַךְ (chanak) can be loosely related to Greek terms such as ἐγκαινίζω (enkainizo • Strong's Greek 1457), which means to renew or dedicate, and παιδεύω (paideuo • Strong's Greek 3811), which means to train or discipline. These Greek terms capture similar themes of dedication and training found in the Hebrew usage.

Usage: The verb חָנַךְ (chanak) is used in the context of dedicating or initiating something, often with a connotation of training or disciplining. It appears in various forms in the Hebrew Bible, primarily in contexts related to the dedication of buildings or the training of individuals.

Context: The Hebrew verb חָנַךְ (chanak) is a primitive root that carries the primary sense of initiating or dedicating. It is used in the Hebrew Bible to describe the act of dedicating a house or a temple, as seen in passages like 1 Kings 8:63, where Solomon dedicates the temple. The term also extends to the training or disciplining of individuals, particularly in the context of child-rearing, as seen in Proverbs 22:6: "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it" (BSB). This usage implies a process of guiding or narrowing one's path through instruction and discipline.

The concept of חָנַךְ encompasses both the physical act of dedication and the metaphorical act of initiating someone into a particular way of life or set of practices. It suggests a formative process that shapes the individual or object being dedicated. The term is relatively rare in the Hebrew Bible but carries significant theological and practical implications, particularly in the context of covenantal relationships and the transmission of faith and values across generations.

Word Origin
denominative verb from chek
Definition
to train up, dedicate
NASB Translation
dedicate (1), dedicated (3), train (1).

II. חִָנִךְ verb train up, dedicate (compare Arabic apparently denominative from rub palate of child with chewed dates, Lane^{659a, of midwife} rub palate of new-born child with oil, etc., before it begins to suck, Dozy^{ii, 332}; also make experienced, submissive, etc. (as one does a horse by a rope in its mouth) Lane; see also We^{Skizzen iii, 154}; Late Hebrew חִנֵּךְ accustom; Aramaic חֲנַךְ dedicate, חַנֵּיךְ as Late Hebrew; Ethiopic II. perceive, understand (Di¹⁰⁸, initiatio is loan-word Id.^ib.)) —

Qal Perfect3masculine singular suffix חֲנָכוֺ Deuteronomy 20:5; Imperfect3masculine singular suffix יַחְנְכֶנּוּ Deuteronomy 20:5, 3masculine plural וַיַּחְנְכוּ 1 Kings 8:63; 2Chronicles 7:5; Imperative חֲנֹךְ Proverbs 22:6; —

1 train, train up a (the) youth (לַנַּעַר) Proverbs 22:6 (compare Late Hebrew חִנּוּךְ).

2 dedicate, of formal opening of a new house Deuteronomy 20:5 (twice in verse); dedicate, consecrate temple 1 Kings 8:63 2Chronicles 7:5 (all followed by accusative)

dedicate, train up

A primitive root; properly, to narrow (compare chanaq); figuratively, to initiate or discipline -- dedicate, train up.

see HEBREW chanaq

וַֽיַּחְנְכוּ֙ ויחנכו חֲנָכ֔וֹ חֲנֹ֣ךְ חנך חנכו יַחְנְכֶֽנּוּ׃ יחנכנו׃ chanaCho chaNoch ḥă·nā·ḵōw ḥă·nōḵ ḥănāḵōw ḥănōḵ vaiyachneChu way·yaḥ·nə·ḵū wayyaḥnəḵū yachneChennu yaḥ·nə·ḵen·nū yaḥnəḵennūInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts