from חָבַר; a society; also a spell; [phrase] charmer(-ing), company, enchantment, [idiom] wide.
Transliteration:cheber
Pronunciation:kheh'-ber
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun `{{H2267}}` (חֶבֶר, *cheber*) is derived from the verb `{{H2266}}` (חָבַר), which fundamentally means "to join," "to unite," "to bind," or "to associate." This root meaning gives rise to the noun's primary semantic range, encompassing "society," "company," "association," or "fellowship." It describes a coming together or a collective entity.
Beyond this primary sense of association, *cheber* develops a distinct and biblically significant secondary meaning: "spell," "charm," or "enchantment." This semantic extension is fascinating. It likely refers to the binding power of a magical spell, the "joining" of specific words, rituals, or objects to achieve a supernatural effect, or even the "company" or "assembly" of those who practice such forbidden arts. The terms "charmer(-ing)" and "enchantment" in the base definition directly reflect this occultic aspect.
An intriguing idiomatic usage noted is "wide," which appears to refer to a spacious or large dwelling, perhaps implying a house capable of accommodating a "wide company" or a large association of individuals.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of `{{H2267}}` in the Hebrew Bible illustrate its dual semantic range:
* **"Company" / "Association":**
* [[Hosea 6:9]]: "And as troops of robbers wait for a man, so the company of priests murder in the way by consent: for they commit lewdness." Here, *cheber* clearly denotes a "company" or "band" of individuals, specifically priests, who have formed an association for wicked purposes. This highlights that while "company" can be neutral, its moral valence depends on the nature of the association.
* [[Proverbs 21:9]]: "It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house." The phrase "wide house" (בֵּית חֶבֶר) uses *cheber* to describe a spacious or large dwelling. While not directly "company," the spaciousness might implicitly relate to the capacity for a large gathering or association within the home, which in this context, is made undesirable by discord.
* **"Charm" / "Enchantment" / "Charmer":**
* [[Deuteronomy 18:11]]: "There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead." In this crucial passage, *cheber* refers to a "charmer" (חֹבֵר חָבֶר), listed among various forbidden occultic practices. This unequivocally condemns the manipulation of supernatural forces outside of YHWH.
* [[Psalm 58:5]]: "who will not listen to the voice of charmers, or of the cunning enchanter." Similar to Deuteronomy, *cheber* here denotes a "charmer" (חֹבֵר חֶבֶר), emphasizing the futility of such a person's attempts against the unrighteous, who are likened to deaf cobras.
* [[Isaiah 47:9]]: "These two things shall come to you in a moment, in one day: the loss of children and widowhood; they shall come upon you in full measure, in spite of your many sorceries and the great power of your enchantments." Here, *cheber* is translated as "enchantments," referring to the magical practices of Babylon, which will be powerless against divine judgment.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of `{{H2267}}` is illuminated by its root and related terms:
* **Root Verb:** `{{H2266}}` (חָבַר, *chabar*): "to join," "to bind," "to be coupled," "to associate." This verb is fundamental to understanding *cheber*, as both "company" and "enchantment" derive from the idea of "binding" or "joining."
* **Related Nouns:**
* `{{H2268}}` (חֲבֵר, *chaber*): "companion," "associate," "fellow." This noun directly describes the one who "joins" or is "joined" with others.
* `{{H2270}}` (חֲבֻרָה, *chaburah*): "stripe," "wound," "blow." This derivative is intriguing, suggesting a "binding" or "joining" of flesh due to an injury, or perhaps the mark left by a blow.
* **Semantic Overlap:**
* **Community/Association:** Concepts like `{{H5712}}` ('edah, congregation), `{{H6951}}` (qahal, assembly), and `{{H7462}}` (re'a, friend/companion) share the idea of people coming together, though without the negative connotations often associated with *cheber* in its "company" sense (e.g., [[Hosea 6:9]]).
* **Occult/Forbidden Practices:** `{{H2267}}` stands alongside other terms for divination and magic, such as `{{H3785}}` (kashaph, sorcerer), `{{H3049}}` (yidde'oni, familiar spirit), and `{{H6049}}` ('anan, soothsayer), all of which are explicitly condemned in the Torah as abominations to YHWH.
### Theological Significance
The dual nature of `{{H2267}}` holds significant theological weight.
1. **The Nature of Association:** While "company" or "society" can be a positive aspect of human existence (e.g., the covenant community of Israel, the fellowship of believers), `{{H2267}}` primarily appears in contexts where the association is negative or problematic (e.g., a "company of robbers" in [[Hosea 6:9]], or discord in a "wide house" in [[Proverbs 21:9]]). This serves as a theological warning about the potential for corruption within human groupings and the importance of righteous fellowship.
2. **Divine Sovereignty vs. Illicit Power:** The most profound theological significance of *cheber* lies in its use for "enchantment" and "charmer." These terms represent attempts by humanity to manipulate or control circumstances through means other than the one true God. The strong prohibitions in [[Deuteronomy 18:11]] against such practices underscore God's absolute sovereignty and His exclusive right to reveal knowledge and exert power. Engaging in *cheber* (enchantment) is a rejection of reliance on God and an embrace of pagan, demonic, or humanistic alternatives, which are ultimately futile and idolatrous.
3. **Purity of Worship and Distinction:** The condemnation of "charmers" and "enchantments" is integral to the call for Israel to remain distinct from the nations around them, who routinely engaged in such practices. It emphasizes the purity of worship due to YHWH alone and the necessity of seeking divine guidance through legitimate, God-ordained means (e.g., prophets, the Urim and Thummim), rather than through the dark arts.
### Summary
`{{H2267}}` (חֶבֶר, *cheber*) is a Hebrew noun derived from the verb `{{H2266}}` (חָבַר), meaning "to join" or "to bind." This etymological root gives rise to a compelling duality in its semantic range. On one hand, *cheber* can denote a "company," "society," or "association," as seen in [[Hosea 6:9]] referring to a band of corrupt priests, or idiomatically describing a "wide" or spacious house in [[Proverbs 21:9]]. On the other, and more significantly in a theological context, *cheber* refers to "spell," "charm," or "enchantment." This meaning is evident in passages like [[Deuteronomy 18:11]] and [[Psalm 58:5]], where it designates a "charmer," and in [[Isaiah 47:9]], where it signifies "enchantments." Biblically, these magical practices are unequivocally condemned as an abomination to YHWH, representing a forbidden attempt to manipulate spiritual forces outside of divine will. Thus, *cheber* serves as a powerful linguistic marker, highlighting both the concept of human association (which can be positive or negative) and the stark contrast between reliance on God's sovereign power and the illicit, futile attempts to control through occultic means.
TRV