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חֶלְבְּנָה

𐤇𐤋𐤁𐤍𐤄

chelbᵉnâh

H2464 noun

SILEX Entry

Root חלב fat, richness, unctuous substance

Definition

A fragrant resin or gum utilized as an ingredient in sacred incense, particularly associated with the Israelite tabernacle and temple cultus. The substance refers specifically to galbanum, a gum resin exuded from certain plant species (likely Ferula galbaniflua or related species), valued in antiquity for its aromatic properties.

Semantic Range

aromatic gum, resin, galbanum, ingredient in incense

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root חלב (ḥ-l-b), which generally means 'fat' or 'richness.' The form חֶלְבְּנָה (chelbᵉnâh) incorporates an ending suggestive of a substance linked to the root’s meaning, here alluding to a resin with a rich, fatty or unctuous consistency. The word is not a generic term for resin but designates a specific aromatic gum.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The term appears only in Exodus 30:34 as one of the ingredients commanded for the sacred incense (קְטֹרֶת) in the wilderness tabernacle context. Its inclusion alongside frankincense, onycha, and stacte indicates prized aromatic status. The identification with 'galbanum' is based on ancient translation traditions (Greek, Latin) and later Jewish sources, and is widely accepted by botanists and lexicographers, though the precise plant species is still debated. English translations use 'galbanum,' but the substance was not widely known in the West until after the biblical period, so English readers may be unfamiliar with its unique odor—often described as having a musky or pungent base note. No evidence indicates use of the word for people or non-material concepts; it is strictly a botanical aromatics term. The root חלב in Hebrew typically denotes 'fat' but can figuratively imply richness or abundance. No archaeological evidence directly connects the plant with the ancient Levant ritual, though botanical distribution supports plausibility. The substance's general ceremonial and trade value in the Ancient Near East underpins its biblical significance.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from חֶלֶב; galbanam, an odorous gum (as if fatty); galbanum.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

חלב (ḥ-l-b) — fat, richness, unctuous substance

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2459 חֶלֶב in his fat-portion
H2460 חֵלֶב fat of
H2461 חָלָב in milk
H2462 חֶלְבָּה Chelbah
H2463 חֶלְבּוֹן Richness-town Chelbon

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2464-01 וְ/חֶלְבְּנָ֔ה vechelebenah HC/Ncfsa and galbanum rich galbanum resin 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2464-01 Exodus 30:34 וְ/חֶלְבְּנָ֔ה vechelebenah HC/Ncfsa and galbanum rich galbanum resin
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