תַּחְבֻּלָה
𐤕𐤇𐤁𐤋𐤄
tachbulâh
H8458 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Steering guidance or the art of skillfully managing or directing a course, both in literal navigation (steering a ship) and, more commonly, in an abstract sense of skillful counsel, strategic advice, prudent planning, or sagacious guidance for action. The term embodies deliberation and the capacity for wise, insightful decision-making, especially in contexts requiring strategic or prudent direction.
Semantic Range
steering (literal), navigation, skillful management, strategic counsel, prudent plan, wise guidance, sagacious advice, calculated direction
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root חבל ('to bind, bind fast, pledge, take as a pledge') and the noun חבל ('cord, rope, territory'), תַּחְבֻּלָה emerges as a denominative form meaning literally 'the act of handling ropes' (i.e., steering or managing), with the abstract development toward counsel or strategy paralleling the metaphorical use of navigating a course. The etymology thus connects the original, concrete activity of managing ropes (navigation) with the abstract concept of guiding or advising.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, תַּחְבֻּלָה is never used for casual advice but rather for considered, strategic guidance, often attributed to wise individuals seeking success or the avoidance of disaster (e.g., Proverbs). In earlier periods, the maritime or navigational nuance may have been more vivid, but in the literary and wisdom traditions, it more commonly signifies sagacious deliberation, prudent planning, and expert counsel. The translation 'counsel' can narrow the term's nuance, which often carries implications of skill, forethought, and even shrewdness. Distinct from simple advice (עֵצָה), תַּחְבֻּלָה is guidance that involves calculation, expertise, or creative problem-solving. Later Jewish tradition sometimes extends the sense to include tactical wit or subtlety. The term is closely tied to the literature of wisdom in the Hebrew Bible and not commonly used in legal or prophetic texts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or תַּחְבּוּלָה; from חָבַל as denominative from חֶבֶל; (only in plural) properly, steerage (as a management of ropes), i.e. (figuratively) guidance or (by implication) a plan; good advice, (wise) counsels.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
חבל (ḥ-b-l) — bind, pledge, bind with cords, manage ropes
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2248 | חֲבוּלָה | injury |
| H2254 | חָבַל | he bound |
| H2255 | חֲבַל | they severely harmed me |
| H2256 | חֶבֶל | in her binding-cords |
| H2257 | חֲבַל | he harmed |
Word Forms
5 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8458-02 |
תַּחְבֻּל֥וֹת | tachebulot | HNcfpa |
counsels | strategic steerings | 3 |
H8458-05 |
ב/תחבולת/ו | vtchvvltv | HR/Ncfsc/Sp3ms |
by his guidance | his strategic steering | 1 |
H8458-04 |
בְ֭/תַחְבֻּלוֹת | vetachebulot | HR/Ncfpa |
by wise guidance | by steering-guidances | 1 |
H8458-01 |
בְּ/תַחְבּוּלֹתָ֣י/ו | betachebulotayv | HR/Ncfpc/Sp3ms |
by his guidances | by his steering-strategies | 1 |
H8458-03 |
וּ֝/בְ/תַחְבֻּל֗וֹת | uvetachebulot | HC/R/Ncfpa |
and by wise guidance | steering strategies | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
7 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8458-02 |
Proverbs 1:5 | תַּחְבֻּל֥וֹת | tachebulot | HNcfpa |
wise counsel | strategic steerings |
H8458-02 |
Proverbs 11:14 | תַּ֭חְבֻּלוֹת | tachebulot | HNcfpa |
guidance | strategic steerings |
H8458-02 |
Proverbs 12:5 | תַּחְבֻּל֖וֹת | tachebulot | HNcfpc |
counsels | strategic steerings |
H8458-03 |
Proverbs 20:18 | וּ֝/בְ/תַחְבֻּל֗וֹת | uvetachebulot | HC/R/Ncfpa |
and by wise guidance | steering strategies |
H8458-04 |
Proverbs 24:6 | בְ֭/תַחְבֻּלוֹת | vetachebulot | HR/Ncfpa |
by wise guidance | by steering-guidances |
H8458-05 |
Job 37:12 | ב/תחבולת/ו | vtchvvltv | HR/Ncfsc/Sp3ms |
by his guidance | his strategic steering |
H8458-01 |
Job 37:12 | בְּ/תַחְבּוּלֹתָ֣י/ו | betachebulotayv | HR/Ncfpc/Sp3ms |
by his guidances | by his steering-strategies |