active participle from חָבַל (in the sense of handling ropes); a sailor; pilot, shipmaster.
Transliteration:chôbêl
Pronunciation:kho-bale'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word חֹבֵל (chôbêl, `{{H2259}}`) is an active participle derived from the root חָבַל (chābal). While the root chābal carries a range of meanings including "to bind," "to pledge," or "to destroy/corrupt," in the context of chôbêl, the sense is specifically related to the practical handling of ropes and the management of a vessel. Therefore, chôbêl refers to one who is skilled in the operation of a ship, specifically a "sailor," "pilot," or "shipmaster." It denotes a professional who navigates and controls a ship, implying expertise and responsibility in maritime affairs. The semantic range is tightly focused on nautical command and navigation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term chôbêl (`{{H2259}}`) appears in a limited but significant number of passages, primarily within prophetic literature, often in contexts of judgment against seafaring nations.
* **Ezekiel 27:8-9, 27-29**: This lament over the city of Tyre provides the most extensive usage of chôbêl.
* [[Ezekiel 27:8]]: "The inhabitants of Sidon and Arvad were your rowers; your wise men, O Tyre, were in you, they were your pilots (חֹבְלָיִךְ)." Here, the pilots are identified as Tyre's "wise men," highlighting their crucial role and the strategic knowledge required for their position.
* [[Ezekiel 27:9]]: "The elders of Gebal and her wise men were in you, your caulkers; all the ships of the sea with their mariners (מַלָּחֶיהָ) and your pilots (חֹבְלָיִךְ) were in you to market your merchandise." This verse distinguishes chôbêl (pilot/shipmaster) from mallāḥ (mariner/sailor), suggesting chôbêl represents a higher, more specialized, and authoritative role in navigation and command.
* [[Ezekiel 27:27]]: "Your riches, your wares, your merchandise, your mariners, and your pilots (חֹבְלָיִךְ)... will fall into the heart of the seas on the day of your collapse." The inclusion of pilots among the essential elements of Tyre's power underscores their importance.
* [[Ezekiel 27:28]]: "At the sound of the cry of your pilots (חֹבְלָיִךְ), the open country will shake." The despairing cries of the pilots symbolize the utter and devastating collapse of Tyre's maritime empire.
* [[Ezekiel 27:29]]: "All who handle the oar, the mariners, and all the pilots (חֹבְלֵי) of the sea will come down from their ships; they will stand on the land." This depicts the complete abandonment of their trade and livelihood, signifying the end of Tyre's naval might.
* **Jonah 1:6**: "So the captain came to him and said to him, 'What do you mean, you sleeper? Arise, call on your God! Perhaps your God will consider us, so that we may not perish.'" The Hebrew here uses רַב הַחֹבֵל (rav ha-chôbêl), meaning "chief of the pilots" or "captain." This highlights chôbêl as a professional role within a hierarchy, with the "chief" being the highest authority on the ship. The captain's desperate plea to Jonah emphasizes his responsibility for the vessel and its occupants in the face of overwhelming danger.
Across these occurrences, chôbêl consistently refers to a highly skilled and responsible individual essential for the operation and navigation of a ship. Their fate is intimately linked to the vessel's destiny and, by extension, the power and prosperity of the people or city they serve.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **חָבַל (chābal)**: The verbal root from which chôbêl (`{{H2259}}`) is derived. While chābal can mean "to bind" (as in ropes), "to take a pledge," or "to destroy," the specific participle form chôbêl emphasizes the skillful handling and management aspect, particularly in a nautical context.
* **מַלָּח (mallāḥ)**: Translated as "mariner" or "sailor" (e.g., [[Ezekiel 27:9, 27:29]]). This term generally refers to the ship's crew. chôbêl (`{{H2259}}`) is distinct from mallāḥ in that it denotes a more senior, specialized role, often involving navigation, command, and strategic decision-making, rather than general labor.
* **אֳנִיָּה (ʾoniyyāh)**: "Ship" or "vessel" (e.g., [[Ezekiel 27:9]]). The chôbêl (`{{H2259}}`) is intrinsically linked to the ship, as their profession is to operate and navigate it.
* **Wisdom and Skill**: In [[Ezekiel 27:8]], the pilots of Tyre are explicitly called "wise men." This connection underscores that the role of a chôbêl (`{{H2259}}`) demanded not only practical proficiency but also intellectual acumen, strategic foresight, and deep knowledge of the seas and navigation.
### Theological Significance
The figure of the chôbêl (`{{H2259}}`) carries several layers of theological significance:
* **Human Responsibility and Expertise**: The chôbêl embodies human skill, knowledge, and responsibility. They are entrusted with the precious cargo, lives, and direction of a vessel, symbolizing the human capacity for stewardship and the exercise of God-given talents in specific vocations.
* **Vulnerability to Divine Judgment**: In Ezekiel's prophecy against Tyre, the chôbêl (`{{H2259}}`) becomes a powerful symbol of the city's pride and its ultimate downfall. The despairing cries of the pilots in [[Ezekiel 27:28]] signify the complete and irreversible destruction of a mighty, seemingly invincible maritime empire. This illustrates that even the most advanced human capabilities and technological prowess cannot avert divine judgment when it is decreed. It serves as a stark reminder that all human strength and wisdom are ultimately subject to God's sovereign will and justice.
* **The Sovereignty of God over Creation**: The narrative of Jonah powerfully demonstrates God's absolute control over nature. The "chief of the pilots" (`{{H2259}}`) in [[Jonah 1:6]] is utterly helpless against the storm unleashed by God, despite his professional expertise. This highlights the theological truth that human efforts and wisdom are futile when confronted with divine intervention or opposition to God's purposes. God's power transcends all human skill and knowledge.
* **Metaphor for Leadership and Guidance**: By extension, the chôbêl (`{{H2259}}`) can serve as a metaphor for leadership. Just as a pilot directs a ship through treacherous waters, leaders guide their people or organizations. The fate of the "ship" (community, nation, enterprise) often rests on the pilot's decisions and ability to navigate challenges. When these "pilots" fail or are overwhelmed, the entire enterprise can collapse, serving as a cautionary tale for those in positions of authority.
### Summary
The Hebrew word chôbêl (`{{H2259}}`) denotes a "sailor," "pilot," or "shipmaster," specifically an active participle derived from a root implying the skillful handling of ropes and the management of a vessel. This term signifies an individual of specialized expertise and significant responsibility in nautical affairs. Biblically, chôbêl is prominently featured in Ezekiel's lament over Tyre, where the city's "wise" pilots symbolize its maritime prowess and, tragically, its ultimate vulnerability to divine judgment. In the book of Jonah, the "chief of the pilots" is depicted as powerless before God's tempest, underscoring the limits of human skill in the face of divine sovereignty. Thus, chôbêl encapsulates themes of human expertise, leadership, and the ultimate subservience of all human endeavors to God's overarching plan and omnipotent power.
TRV