English · KJV
H2261

חֲבַצֶּלֶת

chăbatstseleth /khab-ats-tseh'-leth/ Ask about this word
Rootof uncertain derivation
Meaningprobably meadow-saffron
KJV usagerose.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of chăbatstseleth — 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 chăbatstseleth, represented by H2261, is defined as a rose or meadow-saffron, though its derivation is uncertain. It is a rare term, appearing only 2 times in 2 unique verses in the Bible. Despite its infrequent use, it carries significant symbolic weight, representing beauty, transformation, and divine glory.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The two appearances of H2261 establish its core meanings. In Song of Solomon, it is used as a term of profound beauty, with the speaker declaring, "I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys" Song of Solomon 2:1. In Isaiah, it becomes a symbol of miraculous restoration, where the prophet foretells that "the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose" Isaiah 35:1. This connects the flower to the renewal of desolate and solitary places.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide a deeper context for the environments and concepts associated with chăbatstseleth:

  • H8289 Shârôwn (plain, Sharon): This is the specific plain in Palestine directly associated with the beauty of the rose, as seen in "rose of Sharon" Song of Solomon 2:1.
  • H7799 shûwshan (lily): This word for lily is paired directly with the rose, highlighting a shared theme of floral beauty in the valleys Song of Solomon 2:1.
  • H6524 pârach (to break forth as a bud, i.e. bloom): This verb describes the action of the rose in the desert, signifying flourishing and breaking forth into life Isaiah 35:1.
  • H4057 midbâr (wilderness, desert): This word for wilderness or pasture is the setting for the rose's miraculous appearance, a place of desolation that is transformed Isaiah 35:1.
  • H6010 ʻêmeq (a vale, i.e. broad depression): This word for valleys is the location associated with the lily that is mentioned alongside the rose of Sharon Song of Solomon 2:1.

Theological Significance

The theological importance of H2261 is centered on the themes of renewal and divine glory.

  • Promise of Restoration: The primary theological role of the word comes from its use in Isaiah. The image of a rose blossoming in the wilderness is a powerful metaphor for God's power to bring life and joy to barren and hopeless situations Isaiah 35:1.
  • Symbol of Divine Glory: The blossoming of the desert is directly linked to a revelation of God's majesty. The same passage continues, stating that they will see "the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God" Isaiah 35:2. The rose, therefore, symbolizes the visible manifestation of God's restorative power.
  • Metaphor for Beauty: In Song of Solomon, the rose is used as a peak symbol of beauty and desirability, elevating it beyond a simple plant to a metaphor for a cherished person Song of Solomon 2:1.

Summary

In summary, H2261 is a concise yet potent word in the Hebrew scriptures. Though used only twice, it powerfully conveys themes of beauty emerging from desolation and the promise of divine restoration. Whether as the beautiful rose of Sharon or the miraculous blossom in the desert, it serves as a symbol of hope and the transformative glory of God.

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 2 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.

  • חֲבַצָּלֶת
  • חֲבַצֶּלֶת

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H8289 שָׁרוֹן probably abridged from יָשַׁר; plain, Sharon, the name of a place in Palestine; Lasharon, Sharon. H7799 שׁוּשַׁן or שׁוֹשָׁן; or שֹׁשָׁן; and (feminine) שׁוֹשַׁנָּה; from שׂוּשׂ; a lily (from its whiteness), as aflower of architectur H6524 פָּרַח a primitive root; to break forth as a bud, i.e. bloom; generally, to spread; specifically, to fly (as extending the wing H4057 מִדְבָּר from דָבַר in the sense of driving; a pasture (i.e. open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert; al H6010 עֵמֶק from עָמַק; a vale (i.e. broad depression); dale, vale, valley (often used as a part of proper names). See also בֵּית הָ

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

Appears in 2 verses across 2 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Song of Solomon and Isaiah (1 verse each); never once in the other 37.

1
Song of Solomon
1
Isaiah

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.