What does חָבַל · בֶּגֶד · אַלְמָנָה mean in the Bible?
e. to bind ; specifically, by a pledge ; figuratively, to pervert , destroy ; also to writhe in pain (especially of parturition)".
Hebrew · H2254, H899, H490
וְלֹא תַחֲבֹל בֶּגֶד אַלְמָנָה
To wind tightly (as a rope), i.e. to bind ; specifically, by a pledge ; figuratively, to pervert , destroy ; also to writhe in pain (especially of parturition) · a covering , i.e. clothing ; also treachery or pillage · a widow ; also a desolate place
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Words in this compound — expand to study each participant
חָבַלH2254to wind tightly (as a rope), i.e. to bind ; specifically, by a pledge ; figuratively, to pervert , destroy ; also to writhe in pain (especially of parturition)
Pronunciationyəḥabbel
Binding action that moves from physical restraint to covenant violation, corruption, and destructive harm of persons.
Open lexicon entry →בֶּגֶדH899a covering , i.e. clothing ; also treachery or pillage
Pronunciationbeged
Garment literally; metaphorically extends to treachery, capturing betrayal as removing protective covering of trust.
Open lexicon entry →אַלְמָנָהH490a widow ; also a desolate place
Pronunciationʾalĕmānāh
A widow embodies social vulnerability and desolation; the term extends metaphorically to abandoned, forsaken places
Open lexicon entry →What does וְלֹא תַחֲבֹל בֶּגֶד אַלְמָנָה (velo tachavol beged almanah) mean in the Bible?
חָבַל · בֶּגֶד · אַלְמָנָה is a Hebrew phrase meaning "to wind tightly (as a rope), i.e. to bind ; specifically, by a pledge ; figuratively, to pervert , destroy ; also to writhe in pain (especially of parturition)".
Full entry for וְלֹא תַחֲבֹל בֶּגֶד אַלְמָנָה (H2254, H899, H490) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How many biblical occurrences are listed for H2254, H899, H490?
H2254, H899, H490 is connected to 301 lexical occurrence verses in the lexicon data.
Evidence Summary
Hebrew phrase. to wind tightly (as a rope), i.e. to bind ; specifically, by a pledge ; figuratively, to pervert , destroy ; also to writhe in pain (especially of parturition)
Source Gloss
to wind tightly (as a rope), i.e. to bind ; specifically, by a pledge ; figuratively, to pervert , destroy ; also to writhe in pain (especially of parturition)
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups4Aligned forms19
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense13×
ImperfectDeut 24:17 · Exod 22:25 · Job 22:6 · Job 24:3 · Job 24:9 · Deut 24:6 · Job 34:317×
PerfectEzek 18:16 · Neh 1:72×
Participle passiveAmos 2:81×
Participle activeDeut 24:61×
Infinitive absoluteExod 22:251×
Infinitive constructNeh 1:71×
Pualintensive passive — intensive action received by the subject1×
PerfectJob 17:11×
Pielintensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action4×
ImperfectMic 2:10 · Ps 7:152×
Participle activeSong 2:151×
PerfectSong 8:51×
Niphalpassive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action1×
ImperfectProv 13:131×
Word Origins
וְלֹא תַחֲבֹל בֶּגֶד אַלְמָנָה is a primitive root - no further derivation.