English · KJV
H2245

חָבַב

châbab /khaw-bab'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root (compare חָבָא, חָבָה)
Meaningproperly, to hide (as in the bosom), i.e. to cherish (with affection)
KJV usagelove.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of châbab — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word châbab, represented by H2245, is a primitive root. Based on the concept of hiding something in one's bosom, it conveys the meaning to cherish (with affection) or to love. This specific term is rare, appearing just 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entire Bible.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The sole appearance of H2245 is in Deuteronomy 33:3, which states, "Yea, he loved the people; all his saints are in thy hand." In this context, the word describes God's affectionate and cherishing love for his people. The verse places this love at the forefront of a statement about His protection and guidance of His saints.

Related Words & Concepts

Several words from its only context in Deuteronomy 33:3 help clarify its meaning:

  • H637 ʼaph (Yea): A particle used for accession or emphasis, it can mean yea, also, or adversatively but or though. Its use in Deuteronomy 33:3 serves to strongly affirm the statement of God's love. It is also used to introduce a question, as in "Yea, hath God said" Genesis 3:1.
  • H5971 ʻam (people): This word refers to a people (as a congregated unit), a tribe, or a nation. It is the object of God's love in Deuteronomy 33:3 and is central to the covenant relationship, as seen in the promise, "they shall be my people" Jeremiah 31:33.
  • H6918 qâdôwsh (saints): Meaning sacred or holy, this term is used for God himself, as in "the Holy One of Israel" Isaiah 48:17, and also for his people, who are designated as his saints Deuteronomy 33:3.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H2245 is concentrated in its single, impactful use.

  • Cherished Affection: The word's root meaning, "to hide (as in the bosom)," suggests a love that is intimate, protective, and deeply affectionate. It portrays God holding His people close.
  • Love for a Holy People: This love is directed specifically at "the people" (ʻam) and "his saints" (qâdôwsh). This connects God's cherishing love to the sacred status of His chosen people.
  • Emphatic Declaration: The verse begins with the particle "Yea" (ʼaph), which emphasizes the truth of God's love. It is not a passive feeling but a positively declared and active affection for His people.

Summary

In summary, while H2245 is exceptionally rare, its single use offers a profound insight into the nature of divine love. The word châbab is not a general term for love but one that carries specific connotations of cherishing affection and intimate protection. Its appearance in Deuteronomy 33:3 provides a powerful and focused portrait of God's tender, heartfelt love for His holy people, affirming them as being held securely in His care.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 1 occurrence, inflected in 1 grammatical form — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • חֹבֵב

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H637 אַף a primitive particle; meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though; also, [ph H5971 עַם from עָמַם; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or H6918 קָדוֹשׁ or קָדֹשׁ; from קָדַשׁ; sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) God (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary; h

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

1 verse, all in Deuteronomy — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.