(Aramaic) from חֲבַל; properly, overthrown, i.e. (morally) crime; hurt.
Transliteration:chăbûwlâh
Pronunciation:khab-oo-law'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic term chăbûwlâh (`{{H2248}}`) is derived from the root חֲבַל (chăbal), which carries a range of meanings including "to bind," "to pledge," "to destroy," or "to act corruptly." The base definition provided for chăbûwlâh indicates "properly, overthrown," which extends to "morally, crime" or "hurt." This suggests a semantic field encompassing actions that are destructive, harmful, or morally corrupt, leading to a state of being "overthrown" or ruined, particularly in a legal or ethical sense. It implies a violation or transgression that causes damage or injury, not just physically but also morally or legally, and the subsequent punitive consequence.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word chăbûwlâh (`{{H2248}}`) appears only once in the biblical text, specifically in the Aramaic portion of the book of Ezra.
[[Ezra 7:26]]: "And whoever will not observe the law of your God and the law of the king, let judgment be executed upon him with diligence, whether for death, or for banishment, or for confiscation of goods, or for imprisonment."
In this verse, chăbûwlâh is typically translated as "hurt" (KJV), "penalty" (NIV, ESV, NASB), or "fine" (NLT). The context is a royal decree by King Artaxerxes, empowering Ezra to enforce the laws of God and the king among the Jewish community in Judah. The term chăbûwlâh is listed as one of the potential punishments for disobedience, alongside death, banishment, and imprisonment.
While the KJV's "hurt" captures the general sense of damage or injury, many modern translations opt for "penalty" or "fine," reflecting the legal and punitive nature of the context. Some scholars interpret chăbûwlâh more specifically as "confiscation of goods" or "damage to property," aligning it closely with the preceding phrase "confiscation of goods" (עֲדִי בֵית נִכְסִין). Regardless of the precise nuance, the term unequivocally refers to the punitive consequence or injury inflicted upon one who transgresses the established laws. It is the tangible outcome of a "crime" or "transgression."
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related term is the Aramaic root חֲבַל (chăbal), from which chăbûwlâh (`{{H2248}}`) is derived. This root's meaning of "to destroy," "to act corruptly," or "to bind" directly informs the sense of chăbûwlâh as something that causes damage or is a consequence of destructive/corrupt actions.
In Hebrew, cognates such as חֶבֶל (chevel, `{{H2256}}`), meaning "cord," "snare," or "destruction," and חָבַל (chaval, `{{H2254}}`), meaning "to bind," "to destroy," or "to act corruptly," share a semantic field that includes binding, destruction, and moral corruption. These parallel concepts reinforce the idea of chăbûwlâh as a consequence of actions that disrupt order or cause harm.
Within the biblical legal framework, chăbûwlâh is closely associated with concepts of justice, law, and consequence. It stands alongside other forms of punishment, linking it to the broader biblical understanding of sin (חַטָּאת, chattat, `{{H2403}}`), iniquity (עָוֹן, avon, `{{H5771}}`), and transgression (פֶּשַׁע, pesha, `{{H6588}}`), as chăbûwlâh represents the punitive outcome of such actions.
### Theological Significance
Though appearing only once, the use of chăbûwlâh in [[Ezra 7:26]] carries significant theological weight. It underscores the serious and binding nature of divine law, as well as the king's law when it aligns with God's will, in the post-exilic community.
The term highlights the principle of *consequence* for disobedience. God is presented as a God of order and justice who demands adherence to His covenant and statutes. A failure to uphold these laws incurs tangible "hurt" or "penalty." This reflects a foundational biblical truth: actions have consequences, and sin (as a "crime" or "transgression") inherently leads to a state of "overthrow" or "damage," both to the individual's well-being and to their standing before God.
The decree in Ezra 7, which Ezra himself was to enforce, demonstrates the confluence of civil and divine authority, emphasizing that the "hurt" or "penalty" for violating these laws is a manifestation of divine justice working through human institutions. It serves as a stark reminder that while God's mercy is profound, His holiness and righteousness necessitate the administration of justice for unrepentant transgression, leading to a detrimental outcome for the offender.
### Summary
The Aramaic term chăbûwlâh (`{{H2248}}`), derived from the root חֲבַל meaning "to overthrow" or "to act corruptly," signifies "crime" or, more commonly in its biblical usage, the "hurt" or "penalty" incurred as a consequence of transgression. Its sole occurrence in [[Ezra 7:26]] places it within a legal context, referring to a specific form of punishment for disobeying the laws of God and the king. While its precise translation varies (e.g., "hurt," "penalty," "fine," "confiscation"), it consistently denotes a severe and detrimental outcome for the offender. Theologically, chăbûwlâh powerfully illustrates the principle of divine justice and the inevitable consequences of disobedience, emphasizing that deviation from God's righteous standards leads to "hurt" or "overthrow" in one's life and standing.
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