Word Study for H2258 (חֲבֹל) | Strong's Concordance

chăbôl /khab-ole'/ Ask about this word

Rootor (feminine) חֲבֹלָה · from חָבַל

Meaninga pawn (as security for debt)

KJV usagepledge.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of chăbôl — 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 chăbôl, represented by H2258, is the term for a pledge or a pawn taken as security for a debt. It appears 4 times across 4 unique verses in the Bible. The word's usage is consistently tied to the concept of just and righteous living, specifically concerning financial and social obligations.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The use of H2258 is exclusively found within the prophecies of Ezekiel, where it serves as a clear indicator of righteous or wicked behavior. The righteous person is described as one who "hath restored to the debtor his pledge" Ezekiel 18:7. Conversely, a sign of wickedness is one who "hath not restored the pledge" Ezekiel 18:12. Restoring the pledge is presented as a key act of repentance for the wicked who wish to turn towards life Ezekiel 33:15.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words illuminate the legal and ethical framework surrounding a pledge:

H2254 châbal (to bind, lay to pledge): This is the root verb from which H2258 is derived. Its meanings include taking something as a pledge, but also to destroy or deal corruptly, showing the potential for misuse Deuteronomy 24:17.
H7725 shûwb (to turn back, restore): This verb is crucial, as it describes the required action regarding a pledge. In the context of righteousness, one must "restore" the pledge (Ezekiel 18:7, Ezekiel 33:15).
H2326 chôwb (debtor): This word identifies the person to whom the pledge belongs and must be returned. The righteous man "hath restored to the debtor his pledge" Ezekiel 18:7.
H3238 yânâh (to oppress): The act of withholding a pledge is linked to oppression. Righteousness is defined by not having "oppressed any" and restoring the pledge Ezekiel 18:7.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of H2258 centers on social justice and the tangible evidence of one's spiritual state.

Indicator of Righteousness: The handling of a pledge is a benchmark for righteousness. Restoring it is listed alongside other just acts like giving bread to the hungry and covering the naked (Ezekiel 18:7, Ezekiel 18:16). Withholding it is a defining act of the wicked Ezekiel 18:12.
Component of Repentance: The act of restoring a pledge is not merely a social nicety; it is presented as a condition for the wicked to turn from their sins and live. It is a key part of walking "in the statutes of life" Ezekiel 33:15.
Protection of the Debtor: The consistent command to restore the pledge underscores a divine concern for justice within financial dealings. This is emphasized by its inclusion with sins like oppression and violence Ezekiel 18:12.

Summary

In summary, H2258 is more than a simple financial term. It is a critical element in the Bible's definition of social justice and righteousness. Its use in Ezekiel frames the handling of a pledge as a clear test of one's character, distinguishing the just from the wicked. The word illustrates how a tangible act—restoring property held as security—is invested with profound theological weight, becoming a matter of life and death.

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 noun across 4 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — 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.

חֲבֹל
חֲבֹלָת

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

4 verses, all in Ezekiel — 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.