### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term çᵉchâbâh (`{{H5499}}`) is a noun derived from the verb sachab (`{{H5498}}`), which signifies "to drag, pull, or draw." This etymological connection is crucial, as it suggests something that has been pulled or dragged away, implying a state of being torn, discarded, or worn out. The primary definition of çᵉchâbâh is "a rag" or "cast clout," referring to a piece of cloth that is old, torn, or discarded, typically deemed worthless or unclean. Its semantic range is narrow, specifically denoting an item of clothing or fabric that has lost its original integrity, cleanliness, and usefulness, often relegated to the status of refuse.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word çᵉchâbâh (`{{H5499}}`) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the book of Jeremiah:
* **[[Jeremiah 38:11-12]]**: "So Ebed-Melech took the men with him and went to the house of the king, to a place beneath the treasury, and took from there old cast-off rags (çᵉchâbâh and bᵉlô'îm) and worn-out garments (mᵉlāḥîm bᵉluyyôt), and he let them down by ropes into the cistern to Jeremiah. Then Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian said to Jeremiah, 'Put these old rags and worn-out garments under your armpits, under the ropes.' And Jeremiah did so."
In this singular occurrence, çᵉchâbâh is used in conjunction with bᵉlô'îm (`{{H1088}}`, "worn out, old, decayed") and mᵉlāḥîm bᵉluyyôt ("worn-out garments"), emphasizing its meaning as discarded, deteriorated cloth. The context is Jeremiah's rescue from the miry pit. Ebed-Melech, an Ethiopian eunuch, demonstrates profound compassion and practical wisdom by providing these humble items to cushion the ropes, preventing injury to Jeremiah's armpits as he is pulled from the cistern. The use of "rags" here is not merely descriptive but highlights the immediate availability and the lowliness of the materials employed for such a vital task. It underscores the practical and protective function these otherwise worthless items served in a moment of dire need.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic connection for çᵉchâbâh (`{{H5499}}`) is its root, sachab (`{{H5498}}`), which conveys the action of dragging or pulling. This etymological link reinforces the idea of something that has been pulled off or dragged away, suggesting its discarded state.
Conceptually, çᵉchâbâh is closely related to other terms denoting worn-out or old materials:
* bᵉlô'îm (`{{H1088}}`): "worn out, old, decayed," directly paired with çᵉchâbâh in [[Jeremiah 38:11]].
* mᵉlāḥîm bᵉluyyôt: "worn-out garments," also used in [[Jeremiah 38:11]].
These terms collectively paint a picture of objects that have lost their original value and are typically discarded. In contrast, words like bāgād (`{{H899}}`, "garment") or beged (`{{H899}}`, "garment") refer to clothing in general, without the specific connotation of being worn out or discarded. The conceptual antonym would be new, clean, or valuable garments. Thematically, çᵉchâbâh connects to ideas of impurity, humility, the discarded, and the unexpected means of divine intervention.
### Theological Significance
The singular appearance of çᵉchâbâh (`{{H5499}}`) in the narrative of Jeremiah's rescue carries significant theological weight.
1. **Divine Providence through Humble Means:** The most striking theological implication is God's use of the seemingly insignificant to accomplish His purposes. The "old cast-off rags" are the humble instruments through which Jeremiah, God's prophet, is saved from a certain death in the miry pit. This aligns with a recurring biblical motif where God chooses the weak, the foolish, and the despised things of the world to shame the wise and the strong (cf. [[1 Corinthians 1:27-29]]). The "rags" symbolize the lowliness and unexpectedness of God's chosen means, challenging human notions of grandeur and power.
2. **Compassion and Practicality in Action:** Ebed-Melech's act is one of profound compassion, but also practical wisdom. He doesn't merely provide ropes; he considers Jeremiah's comfort and protection, using the rags to prevent injury. This highlights how divine mercy often works through the practical, thoughtful actions of human agents, even with the most common and discarded items. The rags, though worthless in themselves, become instruments of care and preservation, demonstrating that even the most overlooked resources can be imbued with purpose by God's guiding hand.
3. **The Prophet's Humiliation and Vindication:** Jeremiah, who has been brought to the lowest point of physical and social degradation, is rescued by objects that mirror his own abject state in the eyes of his persecutors. Yet, these very items facilitate his deliverance, foreshadowing his ultimate vindication by God. The rags, though humble, are effective, underscoring that God's power is made perfect in weakness.
### Summary
The Hebrew word çᵉchâbâh (`{{H5499}}`), meaning "a rag" or "cast clout," is derived from the root sachab (`{{H5498}}`), "to drag." Its sole biblical occurrence in [[Jeremiah 38:11-12]] is profoundly significant. In this passage, "old cast-off rags" are provided by Ebed-Melech to cushion the ropes used to rescue the prophet Jeremiah from a miry pit. This humble and typically discarded object becomes a crucial instrument of divine providence and human compassion. The use of çᵉchâbâh powerfully illustrates the biblical principle that God frequently employs the weak, the despised, and the seemingly insignificant to achieve His mighty purposes. The word, though rare, thus carries substantial theological weight, emphasizing humility, practical care, and the unexpected ways in which God's mercy and power are manifested.
TRV