Hebrew word · H2542
חַמּוּק
chamukei
curve
It occurs only here in the Hebrew Bible. It comes from the verb ḥāmaq, 'to turn, turn away' (Song 5:6; Jer 31:22 hithpael 'to turn this way and that'). So it means a turning, a rounded curve, or possibly a swaying movement.
Appears once in the Hebrew Old Testament. ·
What it means
curve, curving
Abridged from Brown, Driver and Briggs, A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament (1906), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).
In depth
From the study of Song of Songs 7:1
- Range of meaning
It occurs only here in the Hebrew Bible. It comes from the verb ḥāmaq, 'to turn, turn away' (Song 5:6; Jer 31:22 hithpael 'to turn this way and that'). So it means a turning, a rounded curve, or possibly a swaying movement.
- Against the English
KJV 'joints' (following the Vulgate's iuncturae) suggests anatomical joints such as a hip socket. Modern versions say 'curves' (BSB, NASB), 'rounded thighs' (WEB, ESV), or 'graceful legs' (NIV). The NIV's version smooths away both the curve and the sensual hip region.
- How it drifted
Jerome's 'iuncturae' passed into the KJV's 'joints'. In modern English that word sounds medical or mechanical rather than shapely.
- Used elsewhere in the period
The Septuagint renders it rhythmoi, 'shapes, proportions, rhythmic movements', a word that holds both shape and motion.
Where it appears
Song of Songs · 1
-
Song of Songs 7:1 חַמּוּקֵ֣י [the] curves of
How beautiful are your sandaled feet, O daughter of the prince! The curves of your thighs are like jewels, the handiwork of a master.
Here: 'The curves of.' It occurs only here and comes from a verb meaning 'to turn' (5:6, 'my beloved had turned away'). It can describe the rounded shape of her hips, or their swaying as she turns in the dance.
Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.