or (feminine) חֲבֹלָה; from חָבַל; a pawn (as security for debt); pledge.
Transliteration:chăbôl
Pronunciation:khab-ole'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term חֲבֹל (chăbôl, `{{H2258}}`) and its feminine form חֲבֹלָה (chăbôlâ) denote a "pledge" or "pawn" given as security for a debt. This noun derives from the verb חָבַל (chābal, `{{H2254}}`), which primarily means "to bind," "to take a pledge," or "to receive a pledge." The semantic range of חֲבֹל thus centers on an item or property held as collateral to guarantee the fulfillment of an obligation, typically a financial debt. The underlying sense of "binding" from the root verb is crucial, as the pledge binds the debtor to the obligation and the creditor to certain responsibilities regarding the pledged item. While the root verb can also carry connotations of "corruption" or "destruction" (e.g., of a ship, or by violence), the noun חֲבֹל in its direct usage refers specifically to the object of security, with the negative connotations primarily arising from the *misuse* or *oppressive taking* of such a pledge.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Occurrences of חֲבֹל are predominantly found in legal and prophetic texts, illuminating the ethical framework surrounding debt and lending in ancient Israel.
* **Exodus 22:26-27**: This foundational passage demonstrates the compassionate nature of the Law concerning pledges. It mandates the return of a poor person's cloak taken as a pledge before nightfall, because "it is his only covering for his body. In what else shall he sleep?" This highlights that the pledge, while security, must not imperil the debtor's basic survival.
* **Deuteronomy 24:6**: The law prohibits taking "a millstone or the upper millstone as a pledge," explaining, "for he is pledging his life." This underscores the principle that essential tools for livelihood and sustenance are inviolable, prioritizing human life and dignity over economic recovery.
* **Deuteronomy 24:10-13**: Further regulations prohibit the creditor from entering the debtor's house to seize the pledge, requiring the debtor to bring it out. This protects the debtor's privacy and dignity. It also reiterates the command to return a garment pledge before night, framing it as an act of righteousness that earns God's blessing.
* **Job 22:6**: Eliphaz accuses Job of oppressive behavior, stating, "For you have taken pledges from your brothers for no reason and stripped the naked of their clothing." This verse uses the plural form of the noun, highlighting the unjust and exploitative taking of pledges, particularly from the vulnerable.
* **Ezekiel 18:7, 18:12, 18:16, 33:15**: In Ezekiel's enumeration of righteous and unrighteous acts, "taking a pledge" (often the verb `{{H2254}}` but referring to the act involving חֲבֹל) is frequently cited. A righteous person "does not oppress anyone, but restores his pledge to the debtor" (`{{H2254}}` in this context, but directly related to the noun). Conversely, one who "takes a pledge" oppressively is deemed unrighteous. The act of "restoring a pledge" is presented as a sign of repentance and turning to righteousness.
* **Proverbs 20:16, 27:13**: These proverbs, identical in wording, caution against foolishly becoming surety for a stranger, advising to "take his garment when he pledges for a stranger, and hold him in pledge for an adulteress." While not directly using חֲבֹל, they speak to the practice of taking security (a garment) in the context of suretyship, which is a form of pledge.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of חֲבֹל is deeply intertwined with several related biblical terms and themes:
* **Root Verb חָבַל (chābal, `{{H2254}}`):** The direct verbal root, meaning "to take a pledge," but also "to bind," "to act corruptly," or "to destroy." This duality reveals the potential for both legitimate transaction and oppressive abuse inherent in the practice of pledging.
* **Lending and Debt:** The broader context involves words for debt (e.g., נֶשֶׁךְ, neshek, `{{H5392}}`, "usury" or "interest"; מַשָּׁא, massha, `{{H4853}}`, "loan") and lending (לָוָה, lavah, `{{H3867}}`). The laws regarding חֲבֹל are designed to regulate these financial interactions justly.
* **Surety/Guarantee:** Other terms like עֵרָבוֹן (ʿērābôn, `{{H6162}}`), "pledge" or "guarantee," found in Genesis 38:17-18, share a similar semantic field of security for an obligation.
* **Justice and Righteousness:** The ethical treatment of pledges is a concrete manifestation of the biblical demands for justice (מִשְׁפָּט, mishpat, `{{H4941}}`) and righteousness (צְדָקָה, tsedakah, `{{H6666}}`). The laws ensure fair dealing, particularly towards the vulnerable.
* **Oppression:** The unjust taking or withholding of a pledge is consistently condemned as a form of oppression (עֹשֶׁק, ʿosheq, `{{H6233}}`), a grave sin against one's neighbor and against God.
### Theological Significance
The biblical treatment of חֲבֹל carries profound theological implications:
* **Divine Compassion and Care for the Vulnerable:** The detailed regulations concerning pledges reveal God's deep concern for the poor and marginalized. The Law is not merely a set of abstract rules but a reflection of divine compassion, ensuring that economic transactions do not strip individuals of their basic human dignity or means of survival. God identifies with the oppressed, and their cries are heard (cf. [[Exodus 22:27]]).
* **Sanctity of Life Over Property:** The prohibitions against taking essential items like a millstone or a poor person's cloak as an overnight pledge underscore a fundamental theological principle: human life, well-being, and the means to sustain them take precedence over property rights or the collection of debt. This principle elevates the value of human existence above material gain.
* **Ethical Demands of the Covenant:** The laws governing חֲבֹל are an integral part of the covenant relationship between Yahweh and Israel. Righteous conduct in economic dealings, especially concerning the vulnerable, was a practical outworking of Israel's call to be a holy people, reflecting God's character to the nations. Failure to adhere to these standards was a breach of covenant.
* **Prophetic Condemnation of Injustice:** The prophets, particularly Ezekiel, frequently denounce the oppressive taking and withholding of pledges as a sign of profound unrighteousness and spiritual apostasy. Such actions are not merely economic misdeeds but moral failures that separate individuals and the community from God, highlighting the spiritual dimension of social justice.
### Summary
The Hebrew term חֲבֹל (chăbôl, `{{H2258}}`) refers to a "pledge" or "pawn" given as security for a debt, rooted in the verb "to bind" or "to take a pledge" (`{{H2254}}`). Biblical texts, especially the Law and the Prophets, provide meticulous regulations and strong ethical directives concerning the practice of taking and holding pledges. These passages consistently emphasize the protection of the poor and vulnerable, prohibiting the seizure of essential items and mandating the timely return of certain pledges, such as a poor person's cloak. Theologically, the laws surrounding חֲBֹל powerfully articulate God's profound compassion, His prioritization of human life and dignity over material wealth, and the ethical demands of the covenant. The unjust taking or withholding of a pledge is consistently condemned as a severe form of oppression, underscoring the deep spiritual significance of righteous economic conduct within the biblical worldview.
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