cheq denotes the bosom or lap as a place of close holding, inner containment, and, in altar measurements, a measured feature.

The term most often marks the bosom or lap where a child, animal, woman, or lamb is held or lies close to someone. It also denotes an inner or enclosed place for a hand, fire, anger, lots, gifts, or repayment, and in Ezekiel’s altar measurements it names a measured structural feature.

1. Bosom or lap of close holding · dominant

   The construct noun marks the place where persons or animals are held, carried, or lie close: in 1 Kings 17:19 the APB renders a child taken “from her bosom,” and in Isaiah 40:11 it renders lambs carried “in his bosom.” In 1 Kings 3:20 the two occurrences distinguish the living child placed with one woman from the dead child placed with the other; Ruth 4:16 likewise describes Naomi placing the youth in her embrace.

   1 Kings 17:191 Kings 3:202 Samuel 12:3Isaiah 40:11Numbers 11:12Ruth 4:16
2. Inner place of receiving or returning · common

   The construct noun can frame an enclosed place into which something is cast, received, or returned. In Proverbs 16:33 the APB renders a lot cast “into the bosom”; in Isaiah 65:6 repayment is rendered “into their bosom,” while Ecclesiastes 7:9 portrays anger as resting there.

   Proverbs 16:33Proverbs 17:23Proverbs 21:14Ecclesiastes 7:9Isaiah 65:6Jeremiah 32:18
3. Chest area or garment fold · occasional

   The construct noun identifies the bodily area into which a hand is put and from which it is brought out in Exodus 4:6 and Exodus 4:7. The same close inner location is used for carrying fire in Proverbs 6:27 and for a hand held “from within your bosom” in Psalm 74:11.

   Exodus 4:6Exodus 4:7Proverbs 6:27Psalm 74:11Job 19:27
4. Measured altar feature · rare

   In Ezekiel’s measurement clauses, the term names a feature specified by cubits rather than a person’s body. Ezekiel 43:13 speaks of “the bosom of the cubit,” Ezekiel 43:14 measures from “the bosom of the land,” and Ezekiel 43:17 gives its extent around the enclosure.

   Ezekiel 43:13Ezekiel 43:14Ezekiel 43:17

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB commonly presents the term as “bosom” in scenes of carrying, lying, or receiving, and sometimes as “embrace” for a child placed close to a caregiver. In Ezekiel 43:13, Ezekiel 43:14, and Ezekiel 43:17 it retains “bosom” within measurement language; these are whole-verse renderings.