also חָיַב; a primitive root; properly, perhaps to tie, i.e. (figuratively and reflexively) to owe, or (by implication) to forfeit; make endanger.
Transliteration:chûwb
Pronunciation:khoob
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root חוּב (H2325), transliterated *chûwb*, is a primitive root whose core meaning is rooted in the concept of being "tied" or "bound." From this foundational sense, its semantic range expands to encompass figurative and reflexive meanings:
* **To owe:** This is the most direct figurative extension, implying a financial, moral, or legal obligation by which one is bound. It signifies a state of indebtedness or being under an obligation to another.
* **To forfeit:** As an implication of "to owe," this refers to the consequence of failing to meet an obligation. It suggests that which is lost or surrendered due to default or liability, often carrying a connotation of penalty or judgment.
* **To make endanger / To be liable:** This aspect highlights the perilous position one finds oneself in when bound by an unfulfilled obligation or when one incurs a penalty. It speaks to a state of exposure to harm or punitive action.
The Strong's definition explicitly links חוּב to חָיַב (H2400), which means "to be guilty," "to be liable," or "to incur a penalty," further solidifying the root's connection to legal and moral accountability.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The root חוּב (H2325) appears infrequently in the Hebrew Bible, but its occurrences are significant in illuminating its meaning within specific contexts:
* **[[Job 22:6]]**: "For you have taken pledges from your brothers for no reason and stripped the naked of their clothing."
* Here, חוּב appears in the Hiphil participle form, *maḥbîl* (מַחְבִּיל), meaning "one who takes pledges" or "one who exacts a debt." Eliphaz accuses Job of injustice, specifically of demanding security or pledges from his kinsmen without due cause. The act of taking a pledge "ties" the debtor to the creditor, creating an obligation. This verse highlights the potential for abuse of power in financial dealings, where the powerful unjustly bind the vulnerable. The context is one of ethical conduct regarding lending and the treatment of the poor.
* **[[Nehemiah 10:31]] (MT 10:32)**: "and if the peoples of the land bring merchandise or any grain on the Sabbath day to sell, we will not buy from them on the Sabbath or on a holy day; and we will forgo the seventh year's produce and the exacting of every debt."
* In this passage, חוּב appears in the Hiphil infinitive construct, *haḥôb* (הַחֹב), meaning "the exacting of debt" or "the demanding of payment." As part of the renewed covenant commitment, the Israelites pledge to observe the Sabbath and the Sabbatical year. This includes the release of debts in the seventh year, as mandated by Mosaic Law (cf. [[Deuteronomy 15:1-2]]). Here, *chûwb* refers to the act of demanding what is owed, and the commitment is to *forgo* this right in obedience to God's command. This demonstrates a collective act of faithfulness, prioritizing divine law and social justice over personal economic gain.
These two occurrences showcase the root's application in the realm of financial obligations and the ethical and legal implications of debt, whether justly or unjustly incurred or enforced.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of חוּב (H2325) is interconnected with several other Hebrew words and concepts, particularly those related to debt, obligation, and liability:
* **`{{H2489}}` חֹב (ḥōḇ):** A masculine noun derived from the same root, meaning "debt" or "pledge." This noun directly expresses the object or state of being owed.
* **`{{H2490}}` חֹבָה (ḥōḇāh):** A feminine noun, also from the same root, meaning "obligation" or "debt."
* **`{{H2491}}` חָבַל (ḥāḇal):** "To bind, to pledge, to take a pledge." This root shares significant semantic overlap with חוּב, particularly in the context of taking security for a loan. While distinct, their meanings often converge in discussions of financial obligations and the act of securing a debt.
* **`{{H2400}}` חָיַב (chāyab):** "To be guilty, to be liable, to incur a penalty." As noted in the Strong's definition, this verb is closely related and reinforces the aspect of being "bound" by guilt or a legal consequence.
* **`{{H5383}}` נָשָׁא (nāšāʾ):** "To lend on interest, to be a creditor, to exact." This verb is frequently used in contexts of lending and debt, often with negative connotations when associated with usury or oppression.
* **`{{H2403}}` חַטָּאת (ḥaṭṭāʾt):** "Sin, guilt, punishment." While not etymologically related, the concept of "owing" or "forfeiting" due to sin shares a conceptual space with guilt and the need for atonement. Humanity's "debt" of sin to God finds its ultimate resolution in divine grace.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of חוּב (H2325) primarily revolves around themes of justice, covenant, and human accountability:
* **Divine Justice and Righteousness:** The biblical condemnation of unjust debt practices, as seen in [[Job 22:6]], reflects God's character of perfect justice. He is a God who cares deeply for the vulnerable and demands that His people conduct their economic affairs with integrity and compassion. Exploiting the poor through excessive or baseless pledges is an affront to divine righteousness.
* **Covenant Obligation and Faithfulness:** In [[Nehemiah 10:31]], the commitment to forgo the exacting of debts in the Sabbatical year is a powerful demonstration of covenant obedience. It illustrates that the Israelites were "bound" by their covenant with Yahweh, and their faithfulness was expressed not only in ritual but also in their economic and social practices. Releasing debts was an act of trust in God's provision and a tangible expression of love for one's neighbor, reflecting the divine attribute of mercy.
* **Human Accountability and Liability:** The underlying sense of "owing" or "forfeiting" inherent in *chûwb* points to the broader theological concept of human accountability before God. Every individual is, in a profound sense, a debtor to God, owing Him perfect obedience, worship, and love. Failure to render this "debt" results in a state of spiritual liability or guilt. While *chûwb* itself does not explicitly refer to the "debt of sin," its semantic range provides a conceptual framework for understanding the human predicament before a holy God.
* **Foreshadowing of Grace:** The Sabbatical year's release of debts, which the people commit to uphold, can be seen as a shadow of divine grace. Just as human creditors were commanded to release financial burdens, God, in His ultimate mercy, provides a means for humanity's immeasurable "debt" of sin to be forgiven, not through human merit or payment, but through His gracious initiative and the atoning work of Christ.
### Summary
The Hebrew root חוּב (H2325), *chûwb*, fundamentally conveys the idea of being "tied" or "bound," extending semantically to "to owe," "to be liable," or "to exact a debt." Though infrequent in the biblical text, its occurrences in [[Job 22:6]] and [[Nehemiah 10:31]] are highly illustrative. In Job, it highlights the ethical imperative against unjust financial demands and the exploitation of the vulnerable. In Nehemiah, it underscores the covenantal commitment to social justice and the release of debts in the Sabbatical year, demonstrating obedience to divine law and trust in God's provision. Theologically, *chûwb* speaks to God's demand for righteousness in economic dealings, the nature of covenant obligation, and the profound concept of human accountability before a just God. It implicitly points to the spiritual "debt" of humanity and the divine grace that provides forgiveness and release.
TRV