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חֲבַצֶּלֶת

𐤇𐤁𐤑𐤋𐤕

chăbatstseleth

H2261 noun

SILEX Entry

Root uncertain uncertain, possibly 'flower, bloom, splendor'

Definition

A flowering plant, specifically the chăbatstseleth, referenced as a symbol of beauty and delicacy in Hebrew poetry. The precise botanical identification remains uncertain, but it most likely denotes a wildflower such as the meadow-saffron (Colchicum variegatum) or a crocus. Lexically, the word refers to a distinctive, visually striking flower known for its attractiveness.

Semantic Range

a specific wildflower (meadow-saffron, crocus, lily, rose—identification uncertain), emblem of beauty or flourishing, poetic symbol of loveliness or restoration

Root / Etymology

Root uncertain. The form appears to be of non-Hebrew or archaic origin, or may preserve a descriptive term for a specific wildflower. Various proposals have been made relating the term to possible Semitic roots for 'prickly' or 'splendid,' but these are unproven. The derivation remains unresolved.

Historical & Contextual Notes

חֲבַצֶּלֶת occurs only in poetic contexts—specifically Song of Songs 2:1 and Isaiah 35:1. In Song of Songs it serves as a metaphor for the speaker's beauty and uniqueness, commonly translated as 'rose,' though this reflects later traditions rather than botanical reality. In Isaiah, it is an emblem of flourishing and restoration. The exact type of flower is debated; alternatives proposed are tulip, crocus, narcissus, or lily, but these identifications are speculative. The comparison to a rose arises from later Greek and Latin translations, but there is little evidence that the typical Near Eastern 'rose' (Rosa species) was meant. Instead, meadow-saffron or crocus species native to the Levant are more plausible candidates in context. The use in biblical poetry indicates a plant known for ephemeral and vivid beauty. Care should be taken not to conflate this term with שׁוּשַׁנָּה (shoshannah, 'lily'). English translations often use 'rose' or 'lily,' narrowing or altering the original nuance.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of uncertain derivation; probably meadow-saffron; rose.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

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Root Family

uncertain (uncertain) — flower, bloom, splendor (uncertain origin)

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1085 בִּלְדַּד Bildad
H1095 בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּר Belteshatsar
H1114 בִּלְשָׁן Bilshan
H1150 בִּנְעָא Bin'a
H116 אֱדַיִן and then

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2261-01 חֲבַצֶּ֣לֶת chavatselet HNcfsc rose wildflower of 1
H2261-02 כַּ/חֲבַצָּֽלֶת kachavatsalet HR/Ncfsa as the crocus splendid wildflower 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2261-02 Isaiah 35:1 כַּ/חֲבַצָּֽלֶת kachavatsalet HR/Ncfsa as the crocus splendid wildflower
H2261-01 Song of Songs 2:1 חֲבַצֶּ֣לֶת chavatselet HNcfsc rose wildflower of
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