from חָבַל (in the sense of furnished with ropes); a mast; mast.
Transliteration:chibbêl
Pronunciation:khib-bale'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H2260}}` (חִבֵּל, *chibbêl*) refers literally to a "mast" of a ship. Its etymological root is derived from `{{H2254}}`, *chāval*, which carries a semantic range encompassing "to bind, to pledge, to destroy, to deal corruptly." The connection between the root and the noun `{{H2260}}` is found in the idea of the mast being "furnished with ropes" (from the "binding" aspect of `{{H2254}}`), which are essential for its function in supporting sails and providing stability. Thus, the core meaning is a central, upright pole on a ship, fundamentally reliant on its rigging for stability and purpose.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word `{{H2260}}` appears in the Hebrew Bible in only two distinct passages, both employing the term in a metaphorical or illustrative capacity:
1. **Proverbs 23:34**: "You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, like one who lies on top of a mast." [[Proverbs 23:34]]
* In this proverb, the imagery describes the perilous and disoriented state of a drunkard. To lie "on top of a mast" suggests extreme instability, vulnerability, and a complete lack of control or security. A mast, while central, offers no stable resting place, especially at sea. The metaphor vividly portrays the danger and disorientation that accompanies excessive indulgence, highlighting the precariousness of one's spiritual and physical state when under the influence of sin.
2. **Isaiah 33:23**: "Your cords hang loose; they cannot hold the mast upright; they cannot spread the sail." [[Isaiah 33:23]]
* Here, `{{H2260}}` is part of an extended nautical metaphor describing a weakened or disabled ship. The context is a prophecy concerning the future of Zion and the judgment of its enemies. The "loose cords" and the inability to hold the "mast upright" or "spread the sail" depict a vessel that is utterly incapacitated and unable to navigate or function. This imagery symbolizes a nation or power that has lost its strength, stability, and ability to direct its own course, implying divine judgment or a state of profound weakness. In contrast, the subsequent verse in Isaiah 33 speaks of the Lord as a mighty one, providing the strength that the metaphorical ship lacks.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic connection for `{{H2260}}` is its root, `{{H2254}}` (חָבַל, *chāval*). While `{{H2254}}` can mean "to bind" (as in ropes binding a mast), it also carries connotations of "to pledge" (binding oneself to an agreement), and more significantly, "to destroy" or "to deal corruptly." This broader semantic field of the root subtly reinforces the negative contexts in which `{{H2260}}` is used: a mast without proper binding (ropes) is useless or dangerous, symbolizing a state of destruction or corruption.
Other related concepts include:
* **Ships and Seafaring**: The broader context of maritime activity, which often symbolizes human endeavor, journeys, or nations (as in Isaiah).
* **Stability and Instability**: The mast's function is to provide stability for sails, but its precariousness when misused (Proverbs) or its inability to stand (Isaiah) directly relates to these concepts.
* **Strength and Weakness**: A functional mast signifies strength and capability, while a failing one represents weakness and incapacitation.
* **Guidance and Direction**: A ship's mast and sails are crucial for its direction; their failure implies a loss of guidance.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H2260}}` is primarily derived from its metaphorical usage, serving as a powerful symbol of human frailty, the consequences of sin, and the ultimate source of true stability.
In Proverbs 23:34, the mast represents a position of extreme peril and lack of control induced by sin (drunkenness). The drunkard's state is likened to one who has lost all footing and is exposed to the full force of chaos, unable to find secure rest. This serves as a potent warning against self-indulgence, illustrating how sin leads to spiritual and physical disorientation, leaving one vulnerable to destruction. It underscores the biblical theme that sin erodes stability and leads to a loss of self-governance.
In Isaiah 33:23, the disabled mast and ship symbolize a nation's utter helplessness when deprived of divine strength and favor. The inability to hold the mast upright or spread the sail signifies a complete breakdown of national power and purpose. This imagery highlights the theological truth that human strength and strategic planning are ultimately insufficient without God's sustaining power. It sets the stage for the subsequent declaration of the Lord as the mighty deliverer, emphasizing that true security and ability to "sail" through life's challenges come only from Him. The contrast between the failing human endeavor (the ship with the loose mast) and God's steadfastness is a profound theological statement.
### Summary
`{{H2260}}` (חִבֵּל, *chibbêl*), meaning "mast," is a rare but potent term in the Hebrew Bible, appearing in only two passages. Derived from a root meaning "to bind" or "to destroy," its literal sense as a ship's mast that is "furnished with ropes" underpins its metaphorical uses. In [[Proverbs 23:34]], the mast symbolizes the extreme peril and disorientation of a drunkard, illustrating the instability and vulnerability wrought by sin. In [[Isaiah 33:23]], a failing mast represents a nation's incapacitation and weakness, emphasizing the futility of human strength apart from divine sustenance. Theologically, `{{H2260}}` serves as a vivid metaphor for human frailty, the destructive consequences of sin, and the ultimate necessity of God's power and guidance for true stability and purposeful existence.
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