Original Word: חָבַל
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: chabal
Pronunciation: khaw-BAL
Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-bal')
Definition: To bind, pledge, destroy, pervert, act corruptly
Meaning: to wind tightly, to bind, a pledge, to pervert, destroy, to writhe in pain

Word Origin: A primitive root

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: - G5272 (hypokrisis): Often translated as "hypocrisy," reflecting moral corruption.

- G3089 (luo): To loosen or destroy, capturing the destructive aspect of "chabal."

Usage: The Hebrew verb "chabal" carries a range of meanings, primarily centered around the concepts of binding or pledging, as well as causing harm or destruction. It can refer to the act of taking something as a pledge or security, often in a legal or financial context. Additionally, it can denote causing ruin or acting corruptly, reflecting moral or physical destruction.

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Israelite society, the concept of pledges and security was integral to economic transactions. "Chabal" often appears in contexts where property or goods are taken as collateral for a debt. The broader meanings of destruction and corruption reflect the moral and societal decay that the prophets frequently warned against. The term underscores the importance of integrity and justice in personal and communal dealings.

I. [חָבַל] verb bind, pledge (Arabic bind; compare Aramaic , travail; חֲבַל pledge (but rare and dubious); especially cord, field, חַבְלָא cord, , חֶבְלָא pain, especially of travail; Sabean חבל border-territory, or field, SabDenkm^48.49; Ethiopic Zim^{BP 93 n.}, compare Assyrian na—balu, rope, snare (but — = )) —

Qal Perfect חָבָ֑ל Ezekiel 18:16 Imperfect יַחֲבֹל Deuteronomy 24:6; 2masculine singular תַּחֲבֹל Deuteronomy 24:17; תַּחְבֹּל Ezekiel 22:25; Job 22:6; יַחְבְּלוּ Job 24:3; יַחְבֹּ֑לוּ Job 24:9; Imperative suffix חַבְלֵהוּ Proverbs 20:16; Proverbs 27:13; Infinitive absolute חָבֹל Exodus 22:25; Participle active חֹבֵל Deuteronomy 24:6, compare חֹבְלִים Zechariah 11:7,14 (name of מַקֵּל); passive חֲבֻלִים Amos 2:8; —

1 bind, only in חֹבְלִים, name of one of Zechariah's symbolic staves, Zechariah 11:7,14 symbolic of fraternity. Especially

2 bind by taking a pledge of, hold by a pledge, followed by accusative of person Proverbs 20:16; Proverbs 27:13; Job 22:6; take or hold in pledge, followed by accusative of thing Exodus 22:25 ( J E), Deuteronomy 24:6 (twice in verse); Deuteronomy 24:17; Job 24:3; followed by accusative of congnate meaning with verb חֲבֹל Ezekiel 18:16; עַלעָֿנִי יַחְבֹּ֑לוּ Job 24:9 probably pregnant (see Di) take pledges (getting power) over the poor; בְּגָדִים חֲבֻלִים Amos 2:8 garments taken in pledge.

Niph`al Imperfect יֵחָ֫בֶל לוֺ Proverbs 13:13 becometh pledged to it (i.e. pledged to pay the penalty, opposed to יְשֻׁלָּ֑ם), so Ew Hi De Now Str RVm VB. > below II. חָבַל q. v.

Pi`el Perfect3feminine singular חִבְּלָה Songs 8:5; חִבְּלַתְךָ Songs 8:5; Imperfect יְחַבֶּלֿ Psalm 7:15; — writhe, twist, hence travail; of mother Songs 8:5 (twice in verse) (with accusative of child; "" יְלָדָ֑תְךָ); metaphor of wicked man יְחַבֶּלאָֿ֑וֶן וְהָרָה עָמָל וְיָלַד שָֽׁקֶר ׃ Psalm 7:15.

II. חָבַל verb act (ruinously) corruptly (Late Hebrew id. wound, injure; Arabic corrupt or render unsound (the mind, a limb, etc.), be deranged (in mind); Assyrian —abâlu, injure, VR^{62, 11}; Aramaic , חַבֵּל corrupt, ruin; Ethiopic be arrogant, audacious; Sabean חֿבל DHM^{Epigr. Denkm. 48}; compare Palmyrene חבל mortuus Vog^{No. 161} and often) —

Qal Perfect1plural חָבַלְנוּ Nehemiah 1:7; Imperfect1singular אֶחְבֹּל Job 34:31; Infinitive construct (used as absolute) Nehemiah 1:7; — act corruptly against, חֲבֹל חבלנו לְ Nehemiah 1:7; absolute Job 34:31.

Niph`al Imperfect יֵחָ֫בֶל לוֺ Proverbs 13:13 shall be ruined (לְ reflexive), Thes Rob-Ges AV RV, but < I. חָבַל (q. v.)

Pi`el ruin, destroy: Perfect3masculine singular consecutive וְחִבֵּל את מעשׂה ידיך Ecclesiastes 5:5, subject God. Imperfect3feminine singular תְּחַבֵּל וְחֶבֶל נִמְרָץ Micah 2:10 that destroyeth, even with sore destruction; but read rather ׳נ ׳תְּחֻבְּלוּ ח ye shall be destroyed with etc., so ᵐ5 Roo Che. Infinitive construct לְחַבֵּל with accusative, the poor Isaiah 32:7, the land Isaiah 13:5; absolute Isaiah 54:16; compare Participle plural מְחַבְּלִים Songs 2:15 with accusative of foxes ruining vineyards.

Pu`al Perfect3masculine singular וְחֻבַּל consecutive Isaiah 10:27 of yoke, be ruined, broken, si vera lectio; RS^{JPh xiii. 1885, p. 62} proposes יחדל, compare also Che^{critical note}.; and remark by Di Du; 3 feminine singular חֻבָּ֑לָה Job 17:1 my spirit is broken ("" יָמַי נִזְעָ֑כוּ); Imperfect2masculine plural תְּחֻבְּלוּ Micah 2:10 (emendation: see above)

band, bring forth, deal corruptly, destroy, offend, spoil,

A primitive root; 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) -- X at all, band, bring forth, (deal) corrupt(-ly), destroy, offend, lay &? To (take a) pledge, spoil, travail, X very, withhold.

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