Original Word: חֵקֶר
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: cheqer
Pronunciation: KHAY-ker
Phonetic Spelling: (khay'-ker)
KJV: finding out, number, (un-)search(-able, -ed, out, -ing)
NASB: depths, inquiry, recesses, search, searchings, things, things searched
Word Origin: [from H2713 (חָקַר - search)]

1. examination, enumeration, deliberation

finding out, number, unsearchable,

From chaqar; examination, enumeration, deliberation -- finding out, number, (un-)search(-able, -ed, out, -ing).

see HEBREW chaqar

Word Origin
from chaqar
Definition
a searching, a thing (to be) searched out
NASB Translation
depths (1), inquiry (1), inscrutable* (1), recesses (1), search (1), searchings (1), things (1), things searched (1), unfathomable* (1), unsearchable* (4).

חֵ֫קֶר noun masculine^{Judges 5:16} searching, thing (to be) searched out; — absolute חֵ֫קֶר Job 5:9 8t.; construct id. Job 8:8 2t.; plural construct חִקְרֵי Judges 5:16; — חִקְרֵי לֵב Judges 5:16 searchings, questionings of heart; Job 11:7 canst thou reach אֱלוֺהַּ ׳ח i.e. what is to be explored in him, the whole range of his nature, so ׳ח תהום Job 38:16 the range of the deep; especially ׳אֵין ח i.e. it is unsearchable Job 5:9; Job 9:10; Psalm 145:3; Proverbs 25:3; Isaiah 40:28, compare ׳לא ח Job 34:24; Job 36:26; אבותם ׳ח Job 8:8 i.e. thing searched out by their fathers.

Meaning and Theological Depth

חֵקֶר (cheqer) speaks of probing inquiry, deep examination, or the unfathomable. Scripture employs the term to magnify the limitless greatness of the Lord and, conversely, to expose the boundaries of human understanding. Whenever cheqer appears, readers are invited to stand at the edge of mystery—whether contemplating God’s works, the human heart, or the sweep of redemptive history.

Range of Usage across the Canon

1. National self-examination: Judges 5:16 uses cheqer when Deborah asks why the tribe of Reuben “sat among the sheepfolds to hear the whistling for the flocks,” weighing their “great searchings of heart.”
2. Wisdom debate: Seven occurrences in Job underline humanity’s limited grasp over God’s purposes (Job 5:9; 8:8; 9:10; 11:7; 34:24; 36:26; 38:16).
3. Doxological proclamation: Psalm 145:3 and Isaiah 40:28 proclaim the Lord’s greatness as “unsearchable.”
4. Royal inscrutability: Proverbs 25:3 compares “the heavens for height, the earth for depth, and the heart of kings” to cheqer.
5. Ethical caution: Proverbs 25:27 warns that seeking personal glory beyond proper limits is “not honor”—a misplaced cheqer.

Cheqer and the Mystery of God

Cheqer frames God’s transcendence. Job 11:7 asks, “Can you fathom the deep things of God? Or discover the limits of the Almighty?”. Isaiah echoes, “His understanding is unsearchable” (Isaiah 40:28). The term preserves awe, ensuring that divine revelation remains both intelligible and inexhaustible.

Human Limits Highlighted

In Job’s dialogues, cheqer reinforces that finite minds cannot subpoena infinite wisdom. Job 36:26 proclaims, “Behold, God is great—beyond our knowledge; the number of His years is unsearchable.” The recognition of limit keeps lament from devolving into cynicism; it fosters trust when explanations are withheld.

Cheqer in Wisdom Literature

Proverbs employs cheqer to address leadership and ambition. A ruler’s motives, like the cosmos, resist full analysis (Proverbs 25:3), cautioning subjects against premature judgment. Meanwhile, the pursuit of self-glory (Proverbs 25:27) crosses a line from healthy aspiration into prideful overreach—an illicit cheqer of one’s own renown.

Cheqer in Prophetic Consolation

Isaiah 40:28 delivers comfort to exiles weary of divine silence. Because God’s understanding is beyond cheqer, His covenant purposes cannot be thwarted by visible circumstances. What Israel cannot trace, she may still trust.

Practical Ministry Insights

• Preaching: Use cheqer texts to balance systematic theology with reverent mystery, preventing sermons from reducing God to predictable formulas.
• Counseling: Job’s cheqer passages legitimize unanswered questions, encouraging sufferers to shift from “Why?” to “Who?”—anchoring hope in God’s character.
• Leadership: Proverbs 25:3 reminds elders and pastors that their inner life shapes public ministry; transparency before God must precede accountability before people.

Christological and New Covenant Connections

In Jesus Christ “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). The incarnation does not cancel cheqer; it personalizes it. Believers are summoned into ever-deepening exploration of Christ’s love, which “surpasses knowledge” (Ephesians 3:19). The unsearchable riches of Messiah fulfill the Old Testament’s refrain that God’s greatness is beyond cheqer.

Key Passages for Study and Meditation

Job 11:7–9; Psalm 145:3; Proverbs 25:3; Isaiah 40:28.

Each text invites worshipful humility and persevering faith, assuring readers that while God’s ways are without cheqer, His promises are utterly sure.

הַחֵ֣קֶר החקר וְחֵ֖קֶר וּבְחֵ֥קֶר ובחקר וחקר חִקְרֵי־ חֵ֑קֶר חֵ֖קֶר חֵֽקֶר׃ חקר חקר׃ חקרי־ לְחֵ֣קֶר לחקר Cheker chikrei ha·ḥê·qer haCheker haḥêqer ḥê·qer ḥêqer ḥiq·rê- ḥiqrê- lə·ḥê·qer leCheker ləḥêqer ū·ḇə·ḥê·qer ūḇəḥêqer uveCheker veCheker wə·ḥê·qer wəḥêqerInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts