a primitive root; to swathe; [idiom] at all, swaddle.
Transliteration:châthal
Pronunciation:khaw-thal'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root H2853 (חָתַל, *châthal*) is a primitive verb whose core meaning is "to swathe" or "to wrap tightly." It specifically denotes the ancient practice of swaddling, where a newborn infant is wrapped securely in strips of cloth. This practice served multiple purposes in the ancient Near East, including providing warmth, a sense of security, and believed assistance in the proper development of the infant's limbs. The semantic range of châthal is quite narrow, focusing almost exclusively on this specific act of binding or wrapping, particularly in the context of early infant care. While some lexicons may suggest an idiomatic sense of "at all," the primary and most significant biblical usage clearly pertains to the physical act of swaddling.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb châthal appears infrequently in the Hebrew Bible, but its two occurrences are highly significant, contributing rich metaphorical and theological depth.
1. **[[Ezekiel 16:4]]**: This passage is part of a powerful prophetic allegory where God describes Jerusalem's origins as an abandoned, unkempt infant. The text states, "As for your birth, on the day you were born your navel cord was not cut, nor were you washed with water to cleanse you; you were not rubbed with salt, nor were you swaddled with cloths." Here, the absence of châthal (swaddling) is listed among a series of basic infant care practices that were neglected. This imagery vividly portrays Jerusalem's (and by extension, Israel's) utterly helpless, vulnerable, and unprovided-for state at its "birth" or inception, emphasizing its utter dependence on God's subsequent merciful intervention to survive and flourish. It underscores the depth of God's redemptive love for an undeserving people.
2. **[[Job 38:9]]**: In this majestic divine discourse, God challenges Job, recounting His creative power. Speaking of the nascent sea, God declares, "When I made clouds its garment and thick darkness its swaddling band." Here, châthal is employed metaphorically. Just as an infant is wrapped and contained by swaddling cloths, so God "swaddled" the primeval ocean with clouds and thick darkness. This imagery powerfully conveys God's absolute sovereignty and control over the chaotic elements of creation, bringing order, boundary, and containment to what would otherwise be boundless and destructive. It highlights His role as the ultimate Creator who shapes and governs all things.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of châthal naturally connects with other Hebrew terms related to covering, binding, and care:
* `{{H3680}}` (כָּסָה, *kasah*): "to cover, conceal." While broader, it shares the idea of enclosing or enveloping.
* `{{H3801}}` (לָבַשׁ, *lavash*): "to clothe, wear." châthal is a specific form of clothing or wrapping.
* `{{H2280}}` (חָבַשׁ, *chavash*): "to bind, bind up, bandage." This term is semantically very close, as swaddling involves a form of binding. It is often used for binding wounds or yokes.
* Concepts of nurture, abandonment, birth, vulnerability, and divine providence are all closely tied to the usage of châthal.
### Theological Significance
The infrequent but potent use of châthal carries profound theological weight:
* **Divine Providence and Sovereignty:** In [[Job 38:9]], God's "swaddling" of the sea serves as a powerful metaphor for His absolute control and ordering of creation. It demonstrates that even the most powerful and potentially chaotic forces of nature are subject to His will, contained and shaped by His divine decree. This speaks to God's meticulous care and governance over all things.
* **Human Vulnerability and Dependence:** The stark imagery in [[Ezekiel 16:4]] underscores humanity's (and specifically Israel's) inherent helplessness and dependence on God. The unswaddled infant symbolizes a state of utter destitution, highlighting that any flourishing or survival is purely a result of God's unmerited grace and intervention. This emphasizes the concept of salvation as God's initiative to rescue and care for the abandoned and undeserving.
* **Metaphor for Formation and Containment:** The act of swaddling, whether of an infant or the sea, is an act of deliberate formation and containment. It brings order to what is formless or chaotic, signifying God's active role in shaping not only the physical world but also the destiny of His people.
* **Contrast between Neglect and Divine Care:** The absence of swaddling in Ezekiel sharply contrasts with the divine care that God subsequently showers upon Jerusalem. It highlights the depth of the spiritual depravity from which God redeemed His people, making His redemptive act even more remarkable.
### Summary
H2853 (חָתַל, *châthal*) is a Hebrew verb meaning "to swathe" or "to swaddle," primarily referring to the ancient practice of wrapping infants. Its two biblical occurrences are highly illustrative: in [[Ezekiel 16:4]], the *absence* of swaddling vividly depicts Jerusalem's (Israel's) neglected and helpless state at its spiritual "birth," emphasizing its utter dependence on divine grace. In [[Job 38:9]], God's *metaphorical* swaddling of the sea with clouds and darkness powerfully demonstrates His sovereign control, order, and containment over creation. Theologically, châthal speaks to God's providential care and ordering of the cosmos, as well as humanity's profound vulnerability and reliance on divine intervention for life and well-being. It serves as a potent image of both divine control and compassionate care.
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