The meaning of “חָבַל”
Understanding châbal reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
[idiom] at all, band, bring forth, (deal) corrupt(-ly), destroy, offend, lay to (take a) pledge, spoil, travail, [idiom]...
חָבַל
[idiom] at all, band, bring forth, (deal) corrupt(-ly), destroy, offend, lay to (take a) pledge, spoil, travail, [idiom] very, withhold. - to wind tightly (as a rope), i.e. to bind - specifically, by a pledge - figuratively, to pervert, destroy - also to writhe in pain (especially of parturition) 1) to bind 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to bind 2) to take a pledge, lay to pledge 2a) (Qal) to hold by a pledge, take in pledge, hold in pledge 2b) (Niphal) to give a pledge, become pledged 3) to destroy, spoil, deal corruptly, offend 3a) (Qal) to spoil, corrupt, offend 3b) (Niphal) to be ruined 3c) (Piel) to destroy, ruin 3d) (Pual) to be ruined, be broken 4) to bring forth, travail 4a) (Piel) to writhe, twist, travail
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Exodus 22:26 | “If thou at all take thy neighbour’s raiment to pledge, thou shalt deliver it unto him by that the sun goeth down:” Word: חָבַל (châbal) | |
| Nehemiah 1:7 | “We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments, which thou commandedst thy servant Moses.” Word: חָבַל (châbal) | |
| Psalms 7:14 | “Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood.” Word: חָבַל (châbal) | |
| Ecclesiastes 5:6 | “Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?” Word: חָבַל (châbal) | |
| Isaiah 32:7 | “The instruments also of the churl are evil: he deviseth wicked devices to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaketh right.” Word: חָבַל (châbal) |