חָקַר (b. h.) to go around, to espy, to examine; esp. to cross-examine, v. חֲקִירָה. Ab. I, 9 הוי מרבה לַחְקוֹר וכ׳ cross-examine witnesses as much as possible. Snh. 40ᵇ מדהוי ליה … חָקוֹר תַּחְקוֹר the text might have read (for emphasis) thou shalt diligently inquire, or thou shalt diligently investigate (instead of the unusual phrase ודרשת היטב, Deut. XVII, 4); a. e.
Nif. - נֶחְקַר to be investigated, examined. Koh. R. to I, 16 הלב נ׳ the heart is examined (by the Lord). R. Hash. III, 1 נֶחְקְרוּ העדים when the evidence was closed. Tosef. Snh. VI, 4 עד שתֵּחָקֵר עדותן וכ׳ until their examination in court has been closed; נֶחְקְרָה עדותן וכ׳ after it has been closed, they cannot retract. Ib. 5; a. fr.