אִבְחָה
𐤀𐤁𐤇𐤄
ʼibchâh
H19 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A flash or glittering movement, especially the sudden movement or sweep associated with a sword or weapon. The term denotes the momentary, swift motion or gleam when a sword is brandished or swung, emphasizing the visual effect produced by the weapon as it moves through the air.
Semantic Range
brandishing (of a sword), flashing movement, gleam from swinging a weapon, sweeping motion
Root / Etymology
The term אִבְחָה is attributed to an unused root, likely related to the sense of 'to turn, sweep, flash,' though precise derivation is uncertain. The structure resembles other Hebrew nouns formed by a process of noun derivation indicating an event or state, but a direct verbal root does not exist in the extant biblical texts. Etymology uncertain.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The word אִבְחָה occurs in poetic contexts, notably in 2 Samuel 2:16 (the duel at Gibeon), where it describes the swift, flashing movement of the sword. The focus is on the visual phenomenon—the sudden sheen or swing—rather than the 'point' of the sword as indicated in some traditional translations. It does not refer to the tip or part of the weapon, but the act of brandishing or the resultant flare. This noun does not reappear outside this poetic or vivid narrative setting and does not develop secondary or derived senses in later biblical or postbiblical Hebrew. English translations often narrow the meaning to 'point,' but this does not accurately convey the word's reference to movement or brilliance in motion.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from an unused root (apparently meaning to turn); brandishing of a sword; point.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
אבח (ʾ-b-ḥ) — to sweep, to flash, to move swiftly
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H19-01 |
אִבְחַת | ivechat | HNcfsc |
the point of | sweeping-flash of | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H19-01 |
Ezekiel 21:20 | אִבְחַת | ivechat | HNcfsc |
the point of | sweeping-flash of |