חֲטֻבָה
𐤇𐤈𐤁𐤄
chăṭubâh
H2405 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A carved or engraved object, typically referring to a product of woodcarving or stonecarving; may also denote a decorative item such as a panel or tapestry with figured or carved ornamentation. The term is generally used to designate something that has been cut or incised with artistic craftsmanship rather than a utilitarian object.
Semantic Range
carved object, engraving, ornamented panel, figured tapestry, wall decoration
Root / Etymology
From the verb חָטַב (ḥāṭav), meaning 'to hew, cut, carve, chop.' חֲטֻבָה (chăṭubâh) is the feminine passive participle form, signifying 'something that has been carved or cut.' Root: ח-ט-ב.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The word appears very infrequently in the Hebrew Bible (notably in Ezekiel 23:14), where it describes images carved or engraved on a wall for decorative purposes. During the exilic and post-exilic periods, such forms of ornamentation became associated with luxury or foreign artistic styles. The underlying notion is physical incision or carving, but contextually it points to items that serve an aesthetic or ornamental function. English translations vary, sometimes rendering the word as 'carved image,' 'engraving,' or 'tapestry,' depending on whether the referent is wood, stone, or fabric, though the primary sense points toward carved or engraved work. The term differs from terms denoting simple 'images' or 'graven images' (e.g., פֶּסֶל pesel – 'idol,' carved statue) because it emphasizes the act of carving and artistry rather than the cultic function. In later (post-biblical) Hebrew, related forms may refer more generally to incised or chiseled art.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
feminine passive participle of חָטַב; properly, a carving; hence, a tapestry (as figured); carved.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
חטב (ḥ-ṭ-b) — to hew, to cut, to carve, to chop
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2404 | חָטַב | wood-hewers |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2405-01 |
חֲ֝טֻב֗וֹת | chatuvot | HNcfpc |
with carved works | carved objects of | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2405-01 |
Proverbs 7:16 | חֲ֝טֻב֗וֹת | chatuvot | HNcfpc |
with carved works | carved objects of |