חֲתֻלָּה
𐤇𐤕𐤋𐤄
chăthullâh
H2854 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A cloth or band used for wrapping, particularly for binding an infant, i.e. a swaddling cloth; in broader figurative usage, refers to the concept of wrapping or enfolding. The primary lexical meaning is a piece of fabric used to confine or enclose, especially relating to postnatal care of infants.
Semantic Range
swaddling cloth, band used for binding infants, wrapping cloth (esp. for newborns); figuratively, binding or envelopment
Root / Etymology
Derived from the Hebrew root חָתַל (ḥ-t-l), which means 'to wrap, envelop, bind.' The word חֲתֻלָּה is a nominal formation, most likely indicating the object, or result, of the action of wrapping, specifically a cloth used for wrapping or binding.
Historical & Contextual Notes
חֲתֻלָּה appears in Hebrew Bible contexts (e.g., Job 38:9) in the context of newborns being wrapped, reflecting the ancient Near Eastern practice of swaddling infants for warmth, comfort, and protection. The term is rare, and its use is confined to imagery relating to birth or creation. English translations sometimes render it as 'swaddling band' or 'swaddling cloth,' which accurately captures its function, though the figurative use in poetic or cosmological contexts (e.g., referring to the 'swaddling' of the sea at creation) should also be noted. The related root חָתַל is likewise rare in the Hebrew Bible and primarily conveys the act of swaddling or wrapping. Unlike other Hebrew words for cloth or garment such as בֶּגֶד (beged, generic garment) or כֻּתֹּנֶת (kuttōnet, tunic), חֲתֻלָּה refers specifically to a binding or wrapping cloth, not to clothing in general.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from חָתַל; a swathing cloth (figuratively); swaddling band.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
חתל (ḥ-t-l) — to wrap, bind, swaddle
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2848 | חִתּוּל | swaddling band |
| H2853 | חָתַל | you were swaddled |
| H2855 | חֶתְלֹן | Chethlon |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2854-01 |
חֲתֻלָּתֽ/וֹ | chatulato | HNcfsc/Sp3ms |
its swaddling band | his swaddling-cloth | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2854-01 |
Job 38:9 | חֲתֻלָּתֽ/וֹ | chatulato | HNcfsc/Sp3ms |
its swaddling band | his swaddling-cloth |