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חָבֵר

𐤇𐤁𐤓

châbêr

H2270 noun

SILEX Entry

Root חבר to bind, join, associate, be united

Definition

A person with whom one is joined in association, partnership, or fellowship; a companion or associate. The term often implies a bond characterized by close connection, cooperation, or shared purpose—whether social, vocational, or ritual. It can refer broadly to a companion or colleague, and, in certain texts, to those united or linked together by a common goal or affiliation.

Semantic Range

companion, associate, fellow, partner, colleague, one who is joined with another, one united with others by purpose or association

Root / Etymology

From the root ח-ב-ר (חָבַר), meaning 'to bind, join, be united, associate.' The form חָבֵר is a Qal active participle, functioning substantivally to mean 'one who is joined with another, associate, companion.' The core meaning is that of being joined or bound together with another, giving rise to its nuance of association or fellowship.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In early Israelite contexts, חָבֵר denotes one with whom another shares a close bond—social, economic, or religious. In wisdom literature and prophetic usage, it can connote a comrade in discourse, counsel, or purpose (cf. Job 30:29; Psalm 119:63). The term is neutral regarding the moral character of the association; it may denote positive (supportive, friendly) or negative (e.g., conspiratorial) connections depending on context. In later periods (e.g., postbiblical), the word developed specialized uses for a member of a scholarly fellowship, but this is not present in the biblical text itself. English translations typically render חָבֵר as 'companion,' 'associate,' or 'fellow,' though none fully capture the connotation of a bond created by intentional association. The term overlaps with רֵעַ (often 'friend,' more specifically a personal companion) and עָמִית (colleague or fellow), but חָבֵר emphasizes the act or state of being joined or linked, rather than merely being a personal friend or peer. Usage remains consistent across the Hebrew Bible, with continued employment in both narrative and didactic texts.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from חָבַר; an associate; companion, fellow, knit together.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

חבר (ḥ-b-r) — bind, join, associate, be united

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

8 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2270-02 חֲבֵרָי/ו֙ chaverayv HNcmpc/Sp3ms his companions his joined-ones 4
H2270-06 חבר/ו chvrv HNcmsc/Sp3ms his companions his companion 3
H2270-04 חֲבֵרִֽים chaverim HNcmpa companions/friends joined-ones 2
H2270-01 חָבֵ֣ר chaver HNcmsa companion joined companion 2
H2270-07 מֵֽ/חֲבֵרֶֽי/ךָ mechavereykha HR/Ncmpc/Sp2ms above your companions your companions 1
H2270-08 וְ/חַבְרֵי֙ vechaverey HC/Ncmpc and companions and joined-companions of 1
H2270-05 חֲבֵר֑/וֹ chavero HNcmsc/Sp3ms his associate 1
H2270-03 חֲבֵרֶֽי/ךָ chavereykha HNcmpc/Sp2ms of your companions your companions 1

Occurrences in Scripture

15 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2270-04 Judges 20:11 חֲבֵרִֽים chaverim HNcmpa united joined-ones
H2270-08 Isaiah 1:23 וְ/חַבְרֵי֙ vechaverey HC/Ncmpc and companions and joined-companions of
H2270-02 Isaiah 44:11 חֲבֵרָי/ו֙ chaverayv HNcmpc/Sp3ms his fellows his joined-ones
H2270-06 Ezekiel 37:16 חבר/ו chvrv HNcmsc/Sp3ms his companions his companion
H2270-02 Ezekiel 37:16 חֲבֵרָ֑י/ו chaverayv HNcmpc/Sp3ms his companions his joined-ones
H2270-06 Ezekiel 37:16 חבר/ו chvrv-2 HNcmsc/Sp3ms his companions his companion
H2270-02 Ezekiel 37:16 חֲבֵרָֽי/ו chaverayv-2 HNcmpc/Sp3ms his companions his joined-ones
H2270-06 Ezekiel 37:19 חבר/ו chvrv HNcmsc/Sp3ms his companion his companion
H2270-02 Ezekiel 37:19 חֲבֵרָ֑י/ו chaverayv HNcmpc/Sp3ms his companions his joined-ones
H2270-07 Psalms 45:8 מֵֽ/חֲבֵרֶֽי/ךָ mechavereykha HR/Ncmpc/Sp2ms above your companions your companions
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