English · KJV
H2784

חַרְצֻבָּה

chartsubbâh /khar-tsoob-baw'/ Ask about this word
Rootof uncertain derivation
Meaninga fetter; figuratively, a pain
KJV usageband.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of chartsubbâh — 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 chartsubbâh, represented by H2784, refers to a fetter or band. While its derivation is uncertain, it is used figuratively to denote a pain or binding constraint. It appears only 2 times across 2 unique verses, making each occurrence significant in understanding its meaning as a form of severe affliction or bondage.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The two uses of H2784 illustrate its figurative depth. In Isaiah 58:6, the word is central to defining a true fast. God asks if the chosen fast is not to "loose H6605 the bands H2784 of wickedness H7562," linking the term to spiritual and social oppression that must be dismantled. In contrast, Psalms 73:4 uses the term to describe the wicked, stating "there are no bands H2784 in their death H4194," suggesting they are seemingly free from the painful struggles and constraints that often characterize human life and mortality.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the concept of bondage and release associated with H2784:

  • H4133 môwṭâh (yoke): Defined as "a pole; by implication, an ox-bow; hence, a yoke (either literal or figurative)." It appears alongside H2784 in Isaiah 58:6, which calls to "break H5423 every yoke H4133," reinforcing the theme of oppressive burdens that must be broken.
  • H7562 reshaʻ (wickedness): This word, meaning "a wrong (especially moral); iniquity, wicked(-ness)," directly qualifies the "bands" in Isaiah 58:6. This specifies that the fetters are not physical but are the spiritual and moral bonds of sin and injustice.
  • H6605 pâthach (to loose, open): Meaning "to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen," this verb describes the prescribed action against the bands. It represents the divine mandate to set people free, as seen when God's people are called to "loose H6605 the bands H2784" Isaiah 58:6.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H2784 is concentrated in its powerful metaphorical applications.

  • Bondage of Sin and Injustice: In Isaiah, the "bands of wickedness" are a metaphor for the systemic oppression and sin that bind people. True worship is defined by the active work of breaking these bonds and setting the oppressed H7533 free Isaiah 58:6.
  • The Problem of Evil: The use in Psalms 73:4 confronts the theological mystery of why the unrighteous seem to live and die without constraint. The observation that they have "no bands in their death H4194" highlights the psalmist's struggle to understand divine justice in a world where the wicked appear to prosper.
  • True Religious Practice: The word is used to distinguish authentic godliness from mere ritual. A fast H6685 without the corresponding action of loosing these "bands" is presented as meaningless to God Isaiah 58:6.

Summary

In summary, H2784 is a rare but potent term for a fetter or band. Though appearing only twice, it powerfully illustrates two distinct concepts: the spiritual bondage caused by wickedness that must be actively dismantled Isaiah 58:6, and the perplexing absence of struggle or pain in the lives of the unrighteous Psalms 73:4. It serves as a sharp biblical symbol for both the reality of oppressive constraints and the puzzling nature of human suffering.

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.

  • חַרְצֻבּוֹת
  • חַרְצֻבּוֹת

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.

H6605 פָּתַח a primitive root; to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve; appear, break H7562 רֶשַׁע from רָשַׁע; a wrong (especially moral); iniquity, wicked(-ness). H4194 מָוֶת from מוּת; death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, rui H4133 מוֹטָה feminine of מוֹט; a pole; by implication, an ox-bow; hence, a yoke (either literal or figurative); bands, heavy, staves, H5423 נָתַק a primitive root; to tear off; break (off), burst, draw (away), lift up, pluck (away, off), pull (out), root out. H7533 רָצַץ a primitive root; to crack in pieces, literally or figuratively; break, bruise, crush, discourage, oppress, struggle tog

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 Psalms and Isaiah (1 verse each); never once in the other 37.

1
Psalms
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.