from עָבַט; something pledged, i.e. (collectively) pawned goods; thick clay (by a false etym.).
Transliteration:ʻabṭîyṭ
Pronunciation:ab-teet'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term H5671 (ʻabṭîyṭ), transliterated as ʻabṭîyṭ, is derived from the verbal root H5670 (ʻābaṭ), which signifies "to pledge," "to give a pledge," or "to lend on pledge." Consequently, the core meaning of ʻabṭîyṭ is "something pledged," "pawned goods," or "debt." It refers to items or assets taken as security for a loan, often from those in financial distress.
It is crucial to note the Strong's definition's parenthetical remark: "thick clay (by a false etym.)." This indicates that while some older translations (e.g., KJV) render the word as "thick clay," this understanding is based on a mistaken etymological connection or a later, perhaps folk, reinterpretation. The true semantic range is firmly rooted in the concept of financial pledges and the acquisition of wealth through such means. The word, therefore, points to a specific form of economic transaction, often one that can lead to exploitation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term H5671 (ʻabṭîyṭ) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the book of Habakkuk:
* **[[Habakkuk 2:6]]**: "Will not all these take up a taunt against him, with scoffing and riddles for him, and say, 'Woe to him who heaps up what is not his own—for how long?—and makes himself rich with pledged goods (ʻabṭîyṭ)?'"
In this singular occurrence, ʻabṭîyṭ is found within a series of five "woes" pronounced by the prophet Habakkuk against the oppressive and unrighteous. The context clearly indicts those who accumulate wealth through unjust means. The phrase "makes himself rich with pledged goods" directly points to the exploitation of the vulnerable through debt and the seizure of collateral. The oppressor is condemned for amassing wealth that is "not his own," implying that it has been unjustly acquired from others, specifically through the mechanism of pledges and loans.
The "woe" is directed at the abuse of power in financial dealings, where the powerful extract wealth from the needy, often stripping them of their last possessions given as security. This interpretation aligns with the broader prophetic critique of social injustice and economic oppression prevalent in the Old Testament. The alternative translation "thick clay" (as found in the KJV) fundamentally misses this critical socio-economic and ethical dimension, rendering the verse nonsensical in its original context of condemning ill-gotten gain.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic connection for H5671 (ʻabṭîyṭ) is its root verb and related derivatives:
* **H5670 (ʻābaṭ)**: The verbal root from which ʻabṭîyṭ is derived. It means "to lend on pledge," "to exact a pledge," or "to give a pledge." This verb frequently appears in the legal and social contexts of lending and debt, often with regulations aimed at protecting the poor (e.g., [[Deuteronomy 24:10]], [[Proverbs 22:26]]).
* **H5667 (ʻabôṭ)**: Another noun derived from H5670, meaning "a pledge" or "security." It refers directly to the item given as collateral (e.g., [[Deuteronomy 24:6]]).
Beyond direct linguistic ties, ʻabṭîyṭ is conceptually linked to:
* **Usury and Exploitation**: The broader biblical condemnation of charging excessive interest or exploiting the poor through debt (e.g., [[Exodus 22:25]], [[Leviticus 25:36-37]], [[Nehemiah 5:7-11]]).
* **Injustice and Oppression**: Themes frequently addressed by the prophets, where the powerful take advantage of the weak (e.g., [[Isaiah 1:17]], [[Amos 5:11-12]]).
* **Ill-gotten Gain**: Wealth acquired through dishonest or exploitative means, which is consistently condemned in Scripture (e.g., [[Proverbs 13:11]], [[Jeremiah 17:11]]).
### Theological Significance
The sole appearance of H5671 (ʻabṭîyṭ) in [[Habakkuk 2:6]] carries profound theological weight, underscoring God's unwavering concern for justice and His condemnation of economic exploitation.
1. **Divine Judgment on Injustice**: The "woe" pronounced in [[Habakkuk 2:6]] is a declaration of divine judgment against those who accumulate wealth through oppressive financial practices. God condemns the act of enriching oneself by seizing or holding the "pledged goods" of the vulnerable, viewing it as a violation of righteousness and a form of theft. This aligns with the broader biblical principle that God champions the cause of the poor and oppressed.
2. **Ethical Conduct in Commerce**: The word highlights the ethical dimension of economic transactions. The Mosaic Law contained specific provisions to prevent the abuse of pledges, such as the return of a poor person's cloak by night ([[Exodus 22:26-27]]) or the prohibition against taking a millstone as a pledge ([[Deuteronomy 24:6]]). The use of ʻabṭîyṭ in Habakkuk implies a transgression of these very principles, demonstrating a systemic failure to uphold justice in society.
3. **The Nature of Unrighteous Wealth**: Wealth acquired through ʻabṭîyṭ is inherently unrighteous. It is not merely a matter of acquiring property, but of doing so at the expense of another's dignity and livelihood. This challenges any notion that material prosperity is automatically a sign of divine favor, especially when it is gained through exploitative means.
4. **Prophetic Indictment**: The prophet Habakkuk uses this specific term to pinpoint a precise form of economic injustice. By focusing on "pledged goods," the prophecy exposes the insidious nature of oppression that operates under the guise of legitimate financial transactions, yet ultimately strips the poor of their last vestiges of security.
### Summary
The Hebrew word H5671 (ʻabṭîyṭ) fundamentally denotes "pledged goods" or "debt," deriving from the verb H5670 (ʻābaṭ), "to pledge." Its singular appearance in [[Habakkuk 2:6]] serves as a potent prophetic indictment against those who unjustly enrich themselves by exploiting the vulnerable through the accumulation of such goods. The common alternative translation "thick clay" is an etymological error that obscures the word's true meaning, which is deeply rooted in the condemnation of economic oppression and the abuse of financial power. The theological significance of ʻabṭîyṭ lies in its clear articulation of God's judgment against injustice, underscoring the divine demand for righteous conduct in all economic dealings and His unwavering concern for the marginalized.
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