חָנָה

From the study of Psalm 27:3

Range of meaning

The verb chanah means to bend down or settle, and so to pitch camp. It is used of nomads, of Israel in the wilderness, and of armies settling around a city. The noun machaneh comes from it. It means a camp or encampment, and so the army or company living in it.

Against the English

KJV's 'host' and modern 'army' both translate the noun. Most English versions lose the sound-play in 'a camp camps against me.' BSB's 'encamps around me' softens the hostile 'al ('against'). NIV's 'besiege' gets the military picture right.

Used elsewhere in the period

Used for military encampment in places such as 1 Samuel 4:1; 13:16 and 2 Samuel 12:28. Psalm 34:7 uses the same root in a good sense: 'the angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him.' The Septuagint (the ancient Greek translation) renders the noun with parembolē, its usual word for a military camp.

From the study of Nahum 3:17

Range of meaning

To bend down, settle; most often to pitch camp, especially of armies (Exodus 14:2; 1 Samuel 4:1) and of Israel in the wilderness.

Against the English

KJV/YLT 'camp/encamp' keep the military word. BSB/NIV/WEB 'settle' read naturally for insects but lose the military overtone.

Used elsewhere in the period

Very common in Hebrew narrative for military encampment. The Greek Septuagint generally renders it with words for encamping.

From the study of Genesis 26:17

Range of meaning

To bend down or settle, and so to camp or pitch tents. It is used for travellers, herding households and armies. The related noun maḥaneh means 'camp' or 'company'.

Against the English

KJV 'pitched his tent' gets the picture right. 'Encamped' (BSB, WEB, ESV) is accurate but sounds a little military. The point is a temporary tent camp, not building houses.

Used elsewhere in the period

Used for Israel's camps in the wilderness (Exod 13:20; Num 33) and for Jacob's camp before Shechem (Gen 33:18). The same root appears in Ugaritic and Akkadian with the sense 'to camp'.