מַחְבֶּרֶת
𐤌𐤇𐤁𐤓𐤕
machbereth
H4225 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A joining together; specifically, in the context of biblical texts, a seam, coupling, or connecting piece—often of fabric or material—by which two objects, sections, or materials are linked or joined. The term is most frequently used to describe the connector or join between panels of woven fabric, especially in the construction of the Tabernacle. By extension, it can refer to any joint or means of linkage between separate parts.
Semantic Range
seam, connecting piece, joint, coupling, means of joining two parts, connector
Root / Etymology
From the root חָבַר (ḥ-b-r), meaning 'to join, bind, associate, be joined together.' מַחְבֶּרֶת is a feminine noun form denoting the result or instrument of joining, i.e. 'a thing that joins' or 'connector.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, מַחְבֶּרֶת appears in the context of the Tabernacle's construction, referring to the seam or coupling between individual panels of fabric (Exodus). The use of the term is technical and specific to architectural or artisanal descriptions, lacking direct application to social or personal 'joining.' While the concept is rooted in the general sense of joining or binding, the lexical use is restricted to material connections rather than metaphorical associations. In later Hebrew, cognate terms with the same root may take on the broader sense of association or society, but this usage is not present in biblical prose. English translations sometimes render it as 'seam,' 'coupling,' or 'joining,' all of which capture the technical sense, but may obscure the fact that the Hebrew term encompasses not just the seam itself but the piece or feature which enables the physical connection.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from חָבַר; a junction, i.e. seam or sewed piece; coupling.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
חבר (ḥ-b-r) — to join, bind, associate, connect
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2249 | חָבוֹר | and in Chabor |
| H2250 | חַבּוּרָה | welt-mark |
| H2266 | חָבַר | let me bind together |
| H2267 | חֶבֶר | your alliances |
| H2268 | חֶבֶר | Association |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4225-02 |
בַּ/מַּחְבֶּ֖רֶת | bamacheberet | HRd/Ncfsa |
in the coupling | in the joining-piece | 4 |
H4225-03 |
מֶחְבַּרְתּ֑/וֹ | mechebareto | HNcfsc/Sp3ms |
its coupling | his joining-piece | 2 |
H4225-01 |
בַּ/מַּחְבָּ֑רֶת | bamachebaret | HRd/Ncfsa |
of the set | in the joining-piece | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
8 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4225-02 |
Exodus 26:4 | בַּ/מַּחְבֶּ֖רֶת | bamacheberet | HRd/Ncfsa |
in the set | in the joining-piece |
H4225-02 |
Exodus 26:5 | בַּ/מַּחְבֶּ֣רֶת | bamacheberet | HRd/Ncfsa |
in the coupling | in the joining-piece |
H4225-03 |
Exodus 28:27 | מֶחְבַּרְתּ֑/וֹ | mechebareto | HNcfsc/Sp3ms |
its joining | his joining-piece |
H4225-01 |
Exodus 36:11 | בַּ/מַּחְבָּ֑רֶת | bamachebaret | HRd/Ncfsa |
of the set | in the joining-piece |
H4225-02 |
Exodus 36:11 | בַּ/מַּחְבֶּ֖רֶת | bamacheberet | HRd/Ncfsa |
of the set | in the joining-piece |
H4225-02 |
Exodus 36:12 | בַּ/מַּחְבֶּ֣רֶת | bamacheberet | HRd/Ncfsa |
in the coupling | in the joining-piece |
H4225-01 |
Exodus 36:17 | בַּ/מַּחְבָּ֑רֶת | bamachebaret | HRd/Ncfsa |
in the coupling | in the joining-piece |
H4225-03 |
Exodus 39:20 | מֶחְבַּרְתּ֑/וֹ | mechebareto | HNcfsc/Sp3ms |
its coupling | his joining-piece |