חֹבֶרֶת
𐤇𐤁𐤓𐤕
chôbereth
H2279 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A joining or joint, specifically an item that connects two or more components together; in context, a coupling or band, particularly as used in the assembly of structures such as the tabernacle. The term refers not only to the act of joining but the tangible means or item by which parts are physically connected, emphasizing the point or object of union.
Semantic Range
joint, coupling, band, connector; point or means of joining structural elements
Root / Etymology
From the root חָבַר (ḥ-b-r), meaning 'to join, bind together, associate.' חֹבֶרֶת (chôbereth) is the feminine active participle, used substantivally to denote that which acts as a connector or means of joining. The underlying idea is of physical or, at times, social union, but this noun is used specifically for physical means of joining.
Historical & Contextual Notes
חֹבֶרֶת is found in contexts describing the construction of the tabernacle (Exodus 26, 36), designating bands or fastenings used to join curtains or other components. Its usage is technical and relates specifically to architecture or craftsmanship, not to social or associative concepts (which would be covered by other derivatives of חָבַר). English translations typically render it 'coupling' or 'band,' but may fail to convey that it refers to a physical item used to join structural elements. In biblical usage, its meaning is stable and technical, confined to the texts on the tabernacle; it is not attested in broader social or poetic usage as the verb חָבַר sometimes is. Later Jewish use of related forms can refer to social companionship, but חֹבֶרֶת in the Hebrew Bible remains restricted to this specialized sense.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
feminine active participle of חָבַר; a joint; which coupleth, coupling.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
חבר (Chever) — to bind, join, associate
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2250 | חַבּוּרָה | welt-mark |
| H2266 | חָבַר | let me bind together |
| H2267 | חֶבֶר | your alliances |
| H2268 | חֶבֶר | Association |
| H2269 | חֲבַר | his companions |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2279-01 |
בַּ/חֹבָ֑רֶת | bachovaret | HRd/Ncfsa |
in the coupling | the joining-connector | in the coupling | 2 |
H2279-02 |
הַ/חֹבֶ֖רֶת | hachoveret | HTd/Ncfsa |
that coupleth | the connecting-piece | the connecting-piece | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2279-01 |
Exodus 26:4 | בַּ/חֹבָ֑רֶת | bachovaret | HRd/Ncfsa |
in the coupling | the joining-connector | in the joining-connector |
H2279-01 |
Exodus 26:10 | בַּ/חֹבָ֑רֶת | bachovaret | HRd/Ncfsa |
in the coupling | the joining-connector | in the coupling |
H2279-02 |
Exodus 26:10 | הַ/חֹבֶ֖רֶת | hachoveret | HTd/Ncfsa |
that coupleth | the connecting-piece | the coupling-piece |
H2279-02 |
Exodus 36:17 | הַ/חֹבֶ֖רֶת | hachoveret | HTd/Ncfsa |
the coupling | the connecting-piece | the connecting-piece |