by contraction from חָבַב; properly, a cherisher, i.e. the bosom; bosom.
Transliteration:chôb
Pronunciation:khobe
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun chôb (`{{H2243}}`) is derived by contraction from the verb châbab (`{{H2245}}`), which signifies "to love, cherish, or hold dear." This etymological root is crucial for understanding the inherent meaning of chôb. Properly, it refers to "a cherisher" or, more concretely, "the bosom." The "bosom" in this context is not merely a physical part of the anatomy but carries rich connotations of intimacy, affection, warmth, and a place of secure holding. It represents a locus of deep emotional connection, trust, and protection, often symbolizing the innermost part of a person where thoughts and feelings reside.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word chôb (`{{H2243}}`) is remarkably rare, appearing only a single time in the entire Masoretic Text: [[Job 40:16]]. In this passage, it is part of a detailed description of Behemoth, a creature presented by God to Job as an example of divine power and creative might. The verse reads: "Behold now, his strength is in his loins, and his might is in the chôb of his belly."
The King James Version translates chôb here as "navel," while other modern translations (e.g., ESV, NASB, NIV) render it as "muscles," "sinews," or "strength" of the belly or abdomen. The Septuagint also translates it as "navel" (ὀμφαλός).
This solitary occurrence presents a semantic challenge. While the root châbab points to cherishing and intimacy, the context in Job describes a physical attribute related to immense strength. This suggests that in this specific instance, chôb refers to a robust, central part of Behemoth's body, perhaps the core musculature or the very center of its physical power, rather than an emotional "bosom." This highlights the potential for a word's meaning to be specialized or concretized in a particular context, even if its root suggests a broader, more abstract sense. The rarity of its use limits extensive comparative analysis across various biblical contexts.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **châbab (`{{H2245}}`):** The foundational verb from which chôb is derived. This root's meaning of "to love, cherish, or hide" underscores the potential for chôb to signify a place of intimacy and security, even if not fully realized in its sole biblical occurrence.
* **chêq (`{{H2436}}`):** This is the much more common Hebrew word for "bosom" or "lap." Unlike chôb, chêq is frequently used to convey concepts of intimacy, carrying, protection, and deep personal connection (e.g., [[Numbers 11:12]], [[Psalm 74:11]], [[Isaiah 40:11]]). The prevalence of chêq for these relational and theological meanings suggests that chôb was not the primary term for such concepts in Hebrew.
* **yârêk (`{{H3409}}`):** "Thigh" or "loins," which appears in parallel with chôb in [[Job 40:16]], both referring to areas of physical strength and procreative power.
* **beṭen (`{{H990}}`):** "Belly" or "womb," also found in [[Job 40:16]], indicating the physical core.
The conceptual link between the "bosom" as a place of affection and the "core" as a source of strength or life force is an intriguing, albeit subtle, aspect of Hebrew thought, where physical and spiritual realities are often intertwined.
### Theological Significance
Due to its singular and somewhat ambiguous occurrence, chôb (`{{H2243}}`) does not carry significant independent theological weight within the Hebrew Bible. Its primary theological resonance stems indirectly from its root, châbab (`{{H2245}}`), which speaks to the divine attribute of love and cherishing.
While chôb itself does not directly describe God's nature or actions, the broader biblical concept of the "bosom" (more commonly chêq `{{H2436}}` in the Old Testament, and kolpos `{{G2859}}` in the New Testament) holds profound theological significance. For example, the description of Jesus being "in the bosom of the Father" (Greek: kolpos `{{G2859}}` in [[John 1:18]]) signifies ultimate intimacy, shared essence, and unique revelation. This New Testament understanding of the "bosom" as a place of divine closeness and revelatory truth echoes the potential, though unactualized by chôb itself, of the term's root meaning.
In [[Job 40:16]], chôb contributes to the portrayal of Behemoth's immense power, which serves as a testament to God's own incomparable strength and wisdom in creation. Thus, indirectly, chôb plays a minor role in magnifying the Creator through His creation.
### Summary
chôb (`{{H2243}}`) is an exceptionally rare Hebrew noun, appearing only once in the biblical text at [[Job 40:16]]. Etymologically, it derives from châbab (`{{H2245}}`), meaning "to cherish" or "to love," and its base definition is "bosom," implying a place of intimacy and affection. However, in its sole occurrence, chôb describes a physical attribute of Behemoth, likely referring to the core strength or musculature of its abdomen, rather than an emotional "bosom." This singular, concrete usage limits chôb from developing a broad semantic range or significant independent theological import. While its root hints at profound concepts of cherishing and closeness, the more common and theologically rich Hebrew term for "bosom" in this sense is chêq (`{{H2436}}`). Consequently, chôb remains a linguistic footnote, its primary contribution being a specific descriptive detail within the Book of Job, rather than a key theological concept.
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