from יָבַל; the earth (as moist and therefore inhabited); by extension, the globe; by implication, its inhabitants; specifically, a particular land, as Babylonia, Palestine; habitable part, world.
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **têbêl**, represented by `{{H8398}}`, signifies the **world**, particularly as a habitable and inhabited place. It appears 36 times across 36 unique verses. The term stems from a root suggesting moisture and life, encompassing the globe, its inhabitants, and sometimes specific lands, but always with the connotation of being a populated realm.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In scripture, `{{H8398}}` is used to describe the created order under God's sovereign rule. The Lord **established** `{{H3559}}` the **world** by his **wisdom** `{{H2451}}` [[Jeremiah 10:12]]. As a result of His reign, the **world** is described as being **stablished** `{{H3559}}`, so that it cannot be **moved** `{{H4131}}` [[Psalms 93:1]]. This inhabited world is also the sphere of divine judgment, where God will **judge** `{{H8199}}` the **world** in **righteousness** `{{H6664}}` [[Psalms 9:8]]. The term frequently appears in parallel with its population, as in "the **world**, and they that **dwell** `{{H3427}}` therein" [[Psalms 24:1]], reinforcing its focus on the inhabited earth.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help clarify the meaning of **têbêl**:
* `{{H776}}` **ʼerets** (the earth, country, land): Often used in parallel with **têbêl**, it refers to the earth at large or a specific land. The two together express God's total dominion over the physical planet and its inhabited realms [[Psalms 24:1]].
* `{{H3427}}` **yâshab** (to sit down, dwell, remain, inhabitant): This verb is key to understanding **têbêl** as the inhabited world. Those who **dwell** `{{H3427}}` on the earth are the inhabitants of the **world** `{{H8398}}` [[Psalms 33:8]].
* `{{H4057}}` **midbâr** (a pasture, a desert, wilderness): This term offers a direct contrast. A wicked ruler is condemned for making the vibrant, inhabited **world** `{{H8398}}` "as a **wilderness**" `{{H4057}}`, turning it from a place of life to desolation [[Isaiah 14:17]].
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H8398}}` is demonstrated in several key themes:
* **Divine Creation and Ownership:** The **world** `{{H8398}}` is presented not as a random occurrence but as an intentional creation, **established** `{{H3559}}` by God's **wisdom** `{{H2451}}` and **power** `{{H3581}}` [[Jeremiah 10:12]]. Consequently, it belongs to Him: "the **world** `{{H8398}}` is mine, and the **fulness** `{{H4393}}` thereof" [[Psalms 50:12]].
* **A Foundation of Stability:** God's sovereignty provides the **world's** `{{H8398}}` foundation. It is "stablished, that it cannot be **moved** `{{H4131}}`" [[Psalms 93:1]]. This stability is rooted in God Himself, who set the **world** `{{H8398}}` upon the very **pillars** `{{H4690}}` of the earth [[1 Samuel 2:8]].
* **The Realm of Judgment:** As the inhabited sphere, the **world** `{{H8398}}` is the arena for divine judgment. God is the one who will **judge** `{{H8199}}` the **world** with **righteousness** `{{H6664}}` and its **people** `{{H5971}}` with his **truth** `{{H530}}` [[Psalms 96:13]]. He also will **punish** `{{H6485}}` the **world** for its **evil** `{{H7451}}` [[Isaiah 13:11]].
### Summary
In summary, **têbêl** `{{H8398}}` is more than a geographical descriptor for the planet; it is a theological term for the world as an ordered, inhabited sphere under divine authority. It consistently points to God as the Creator who established it [[Jeremiah 51:15]], the King who reigns over it [[Psalms 93:1]], and the Judge who holds it accountable [[Psalms 9:8]]. The word's emphasis on the "habitable part" serves as a constant reminder that God's plan involves not just the physical earth, but the people who dwell within it.
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