from חָשַׁב; properly, contrivance; by implication, intelligence; account, device, reason.
Transliteration:cheshbôwn
Pronunciation:khesh-bone'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun H2808 (חֶשְׁבּוֹן - *cheshbôwn*) derives from the verbal root `{{H2803}}` (חָשַׁב - *chashab*), which carries a broad semantic range including to think, reckon, devise, compute, account, or scheme. As a noun, cheshbôwn signifies the *product* or *result* of such mental activity. Its core meaning encompasses a "contrivance" – something skillfully devised or planned. By extension, it denotes "intelligence" in the sense of the faculty of understanding or the outcome of rational thought, such as a "reason" or "account." It can refer to a specific "device" or "scheme," which may carry either a neutral or negative connotation depending on the context. The word thus encapsulates the culmination of human intellectual effort, whether it be a careful calculation, a logical explanation, or a cunning plot.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term H2808 appears a limited number of times in the Hebrew Bible, with its most prominent occurrences concentrated in the book of Ecclesiastes. This concentration is significant, as Ecclesiastes frequently explores the nature and limits of human wisdom and understanding.
In [[Ecclesiastes 7:25]], the Preacher declares his pursuit "to search out wisdom and the *reason* (חֶשְׁבּוֹן) for things." Here, cheshbôwn refers to the underlying rationale, the logical explanation, or the sum of knowledge about a matter. It highlights the human desire to comprehend the world's intricate workings.
Similarly, in [[Ecclesiastes 7:27]], the Preacher states, "This is what I have found, says the Preacher, adding *one thing to another to find out the scheme of things* (חֶשְׁבּוֹן)." Here, cheshbôwn denotes a calculation, a reckoning, or a methodical process of thought aimed at reaching a conclusion or understanding a complex situation. It emphasizes the intellectual effort involved in piecing together disparate elements to form a coherent whole.
The word appears again in [[Ecclesiastes 9:10]], in the somber reflection that "there is no work or *devise* (חֶשְׁבּוֹן) or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, where you are going." In this context, cheshbôwn refers to human ingenuity, planning, or intellectual activity. It underscores the cessation of all earthly endeavors, including mental ones, in death.
Beyond Ecclesiastes, cheshbôwn is found in [[Psalm 64:6]], where it takes on a decidedly negative connotation: "They devise injustices, saying, 'We have perfected a *cunning device* (חֶשְׁבּוֹן).' Both the inward thought and the deep heart of a man are cunning." Here, cheshbôwn describes a malicious plot or an evil scheme, emphasizing the deceptive and destructive potential of human intellect when employed for wicked ends. This verse highlights the moral ambiguity of human contrivance; it can be directed towards good or ill.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word to H2808 is its verbal root, `{{H2803}}` (חָשַׁב - *chashab*), which means to think, calculate, devise, or account. cheshbôwn is the nominal form, representing the outcome or product of the action of chashab.
Other semantically related terms include:
* `{{H2451}}` (חָכְמָה - *chokmah*): wisdom, often implying practical skill or divine insight. While cheshbôwn can be a component of wisdom (the process of reasoning), *chokmah* is broader, encompassing the application of knowledge.
* `{{H1847}}` (דַּעַת - *da'at*): knowledge, understanding. cheshbôwn can be a specific instance or result of gaining *da'at*.
* `{{H998}}` (בִּינָה - *binah*): understanding, discernment. *Binah* often implies the ability to distinguish and comprehend, whereas cheshbôwn focuses more on the act of reckoning or the resulting plan.
* `{{H6098}}` (עֵצָה - *etzah*): counsel, plan, purpose. *Etzah* often refers to strategic planning, which might involve a cheshbôwn (a specific calculation or device).
* `{{H4209}}` (מְזִמָּה - *mezimmah*): device, scheme, often with a negative connotation of malicious intent. This word shares the negative sense seen in [[Psalm 64:6]] for cheshbôwn.
cheshbôwn uniquely emphasizes the concrete result of intellectual computation or planning, whether it be a logical reason, a detailed account, or a specific contrivance. It bridges the gap between abstract thought and its tangible manifestation.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H2808 (חֶשְׁבּוֹן) is multifaceted, primarily illuminated by its use in Ecclesiastes and Psalm 64.
Firstly, in Ecclesiastes, cheshbôwn serves to highlight the limits and frustrations of human intellect when attempting to fully comprehend the complexities of life and the ways of God. The Preacher's relentless search for cheshbôwn ([[Ecclesiastes 7:25, 27]]) ultimately leads to the conclusion that much of God's design remains beyond human grasp ([[Ecclesiastes 7:23-24]]). This underscores a profound theological truth: human reason, while a gift from God, is finite and cannot exhaust divine wisdom or fully decipher the mysteries of existence. It points to the necessity of humility before God's ultimate sovereignty and inscrutable plan.
Secondly, the use of cheshbôwn in [[Psalm 64:6]] reveals the ethical dimension of human contrivance. Here, the word describes a wicked plot, demonstrating that human intelligence, when divorced from righteousness, can be a potent tool for evil. This emphasizes the moral responsibility inherent in the exercise of reason and planning. It reminds us that while God has endowed humanity with the capacity for intellectual thought (cheshbôwn), the *direction* and *purpose* of that thought are subject to moral judgment. The heart's inclination ([[Genesis 6:5]]) determines whether cheshbôwn leads to constructive innovation or destructive malice.
Finally, though cheshbôwn primarily describes human activity, its theological context implicitly contrasts human cheshbôwn with divine wisdom. While humans strive to devise and understand, God's own "reckoning" or "plan" is perfect, eternal, and unfailing ([[Proverbs 19:21]]). The very order of creation and the unfolding of redemptive history are testaments to a divine cheshbôwn that far surpasses any human capacity.
### Summary
The Hebrew word H2808 (חֶשְׁבּוֹן - *cheshbôwn*) denotes the product of intellectual activity: a contrivance, calculation, reason, or device. Derived from the root `{{H2803}}` (חָשַׁב), it signifies the outcome of thinking, reckoning, or devising. Its most significant occurrences are in Ecclesiastes, where it illustrates humanity's persistent, yet often limited, attempts to grasp the underlying rationale and complexities of life. In this context, cheshbôwn highlights the boundaries of human reason in the face of divine wisdom. Conversely, in [[Psalm 64:6]], the term takes on a negative connotation, describing a malicious scheme, thereby underscoring the ethical responsibility in the application of human intellect. Theologically, cheshbôwn serves as a reminder of both the gift and the limitation of human understanding, contrasting our finite intellectual capacities with the infinite, perfect wisdom and plan of God.
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