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חָבַק

𐤇𐤁𐤒

châbaq

H2263 verb

SILEX Entry

Root חבק to embrace, to clasp, to enfold

Definition

To embrace, hold closely, or clasp, especially with the arms. This root primarily denotes the physical action of drawing someone or something toward oneself in an embrace, most commonly used in the sense of emotional or affectionate closeness, such as the embracing of a person, but can also denote clasping together or enfolding in a more general sense.

Semantic Range

to embrace (physically draw close in arms), to clasp or hold tightly, to enfold (with arms or hands), to welcome with an embrace, to encircle or wrap around (rare, poetic sense)

Root / Etymology

Root: חבק. From the root ח־ב־ק, which bears the core sense of encircling or enclosing, most directly by bringing arms around someone or something. The verb is a primary stem (qal), with its fundamental meaning being 'to embrace' or 'to enfold.' Derived nominal forms (such as חִבֵּקָה, a feminine noun) appear to be related by the idea of an encircling embrace or band.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Usage in the Hebrew Bible is rare but significant, appearing most notably in poetic or personal contexts (e.g., Genesis 33:4, where Esau embraces Jacob in a moment of reconciliation; 2 Kings 4:16, as a metaphor for holding a child). The verb does not carry metaphorical implications of covenant, alliance, or hostility in biblical usage, but rather stresses a physical and often emotional gesture of intimacy, affection, or welcome. While English translations often render the word simply as 'embrace,' this can encompass both deep familial affection and gestures of reconciliation. There are related terms such as חבקוק (Habakkuk), likely derived from this root, further illustrating the motion or action of embracing. Unlike the root קבץ (to gather), חבק implies close, encircling contact, not merely collection or assembly. In later periods, metaphorical extension becomes more pronounced, but within the canon, its physical, emotive focus remains primary. English 'embrace' is close but can sometimes miss the tactile, enclosing nuance.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to clasp (the hands or in embrace); embrace, fold.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

חבק (ḥ-b-q) — to embrace, to clasp, to enfold

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2264 חִבֻּק embrace of
H2265 חֲבַקּוּק Embrace

Word Forms

10 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2263-09 וַ/יְחַבֶּק vayechabeq HC/Vpw3ms and embraced and he tightly embraced 2
H2263-07 תְּחַבְּקֵֽ/נִי techabeqeni HVpi3fs/Sp1cs embraces me she tightly embraces me 2
H2263-01 חִבְּקוּ chibequ HVpp3cp they embrace they tightly embraced 2
H2263-10 וַֽ/יְחַבְּקֵ֔/הוּ vayechabeqehu HC/Vpw3ms/Sp3ms and embraced him he tightly embraced him 1
H2263-05 מֵ/חַבֵּֽק mechabeq HR/Vpc to tightly embrace 1
H2263-04 לַ/חֲב֔וֹק lachavoq HR/Vqc to embrace 1
H2263-06 תְחַבְּקֶֽ/נָּה techabeqenah HVpi2ms/Sp3fs you embrace her you tightly embrace her 1
H2263-08 וּ֝/תְחַבֵּ֗ק utechabeq HC/Vpi2ms and embrace and you will tightly embrace 1
H2263-02 חֹבֵ֣ק choveq HVqrmsa embracing one 1
H2263-03 חֹבֶ֣קֶת choveqet HVqrfsa will embrace the embracing one 1

Occurrences in Scripture

13 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2263-09 Genesis 29:13 וַ/יְחַבֶּק vayechabeq HC/Vpw3ms and embraced and he tightly embraced
H2263-10 Genesis 33:4 וַֽ/יְחַבְּקֵ֔/הוּ vayechabeqehu HC/Vpw3ms/Sp3ms and embraced him he tightly embraced him
H2263-09 Genesis 48:10 וַ/יְחַבֵּ֥ק vayechabeq HC/Vpw3ms and he embraced and he tightly embraced
H2263-03 2 Kings 4:16 חֹבֶ֣קֶת choveqet HVqrfsa will embrace the embracing one
H2263-06 Proverbs 4:8 תְחַבְּקֶֽ/נָּה techabeqenah HVpi2ms/Sp3fs you embrace her you tightly embrace her
H2263-08 Proverbs 5:20 וּ֝/תְחַבֵּ֗ק utechabeq HC/Vpi2ms and embrace and you will tightly embrace
H2263-01 Job 24:8 חִבְּקוּ chibequ HVpp3cp they embrace they tightly embraced
H2263-07 Song of Songs 2:6 תְּחַבְּקֵֽ/נִי techabeqeni HVpi3fs/Sp1cs embraces me she tightly embraces me
H2263-07 Song of Songs 8:3 תְּחַבְּקֵֽ/נִי techabeqeni HVpi3fs/Sp1cs embraces me she tightly embraces me
H2263-01 Lamentations 4:5 חִבְּק֖וּ chibequ HVpp3cp embrace they tightly embraced
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