חֲבַצֶּלֶת
𐤇𐤁𐤑𐤋𐤕
chăbatstseleth
H2261 noun
SILEX Entry
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 recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
uncertain (Baleadan) — uncertain
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1002 | בִּירָה | the citadel |
| H105 | אֲגַרְטָל | bowls of |
| H1081 | בַּלְאֲדָן | Baladan |
| H1085 | בִּלְדַּד | Bildad |
| H1095 | בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּר | Belteshatsar |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2261-01 |
חֲבַצֶּ֣לֶת | chavatselet | HNcfsc |
rose | wildflower of | wildflower of | 1 |
H2261-02 |
כַּ/חֲבַצָּֽלֶת | kachavatsalet | HR/Ncfsa |
as the crocus | splendid wildflower | like the chavatzelet | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2261-02 |
Isaiah 35:1 | כַּ/חֲבַצָּֽלֶת | kachavatsalet | HR/Ncfsa |
as the crocus | splendid wildflower | like the chavatzelet |
H2261-01 |
Song of Songs 2:1 | חֲבַצֶּ֣לֶת | chavatselet | HNcfsc |
rose | wildflower of | wildflower of |