חָבַב
𐤇𐤁𐤁
châbab
H2245 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To show warm attachment, affection, or regard; to cherish, hold dear; to love or delight in someone or something. The verb often carries the sense of careful attention or tender protection, akin to how one might enfold or shelter a loved one closely. In rarer cases it can suggest a sense of favor or special preference.
Semantic Range
to love, to cherish, to care for with tender affection; to hold close or treat as precious; to show favor or delight; to enfold or protect as an object of affection
Root / Etymology
Root: חבב (ḥ-b-b). The root is thought to express notions of affection and attachment; the exact semantic development is debated, but is usually linked to the idea of holding something close (possibly with a nuance of sheltering or clasping intimately). The root is semantically related to words in cognate Semitic languages that convey affection or fondness. Actual lexical meaning of חָבַב is not simply 'to hide,' but centers on deep fondness or cherishing.
Historical & Contextual Notes
חָבַב appears rarely in the Hebrew Bible, prominently in poetic or emotive contexts (e.g. Deuteronomy 33:3), where it expresses God's tender affection and special regard for Israelite groups or individuals. While related to roots meaning 'to hide or shelter' (חָבָא, חָבָה), חָבַב centers more on emotional attachment than physical concealment. In biblical poetry, it uniquely conveys deliberate, affectionate action rather than a broad, general love (אהב), indicating a more intimate, cherished relationship. Later usage and translation traditions sometimes restrict the nuance to 'love,' but biblical usage may evoke the image of a beloved being held close or shielded protectively. The term is distinct from other Hebrew words for love in its warmth and connotation of cherishing closeness. Post-biblical occurrences are rare, and the word’s warmth is sometimes lost in modern translation.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root (compare חָבָא, חָבָה); properly, to hide (as in the bosom), i.e. to cherish (with affection); love.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
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חבב (ḥ-b-b) — to cherish, to hold dear, to show affection, to delight in
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2245-01 |
חֹבֵ֣ב | chovev | HVqrmsa |
He loves | one who cherishes | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2245-01 |
Deuteronomy 33:3 | חֹבֵ֣ב | chovev | HVqrmsa |
He loves | one who cherishes |