עַבְטִיט
𐤏𐤁𐤈𐤉𐤈
ʻabṭîyṭ
H5671 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A tangible item that is given as security or collateral for a debt or obligation; specifically, a pledge or item pawned, typically to guarantee repayment of a loan or fulfillment of a promise. In context, refers to the actual property temporarily surrendered by a debtor to a creditor.
Semantic Range
pledged item, pawned goods, collateral, property given as security
Root / Etymology
From the Hebrew root עבט (ʿ-b-ṭ), which has the basic sense of 'to give or take a pledge, to lend on security.' The noun עַבְטִיט is a concrete derivative meaning 'a thing given in pledge.' The alternative meaning 'thick clay' is a misreading or misunderstanding by later tradition and is not supported by the historical usage or by the root’s semantic field.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical Hebrew, עַבְטִיט appears in the legal and economic context of lending, especially concerning regulations around taking or returning pledges from those in need (e.g., Deuteronomy 24:10). The practice reflects the social and ethical expectations concerning indebtedness and treatment of debtors in ancient Israelite society. Its usage is restricted to the giving or accepting of property as collateral and does not extend to the later, more abstract terms for 'security' or 'guarantee.' The translation 'thick clay,' present in some historical translations, results from a later misassociation and does not reflect the word's genuine meaning in biblical contexts. The term should not be confused with general words for 'debt' or with unrelated objects; its meaning is quite specific to the social practice of pledging personal goods.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from עָבַט; something pledged, i.e. (collectively) pawned goods; thick clay (by a false etym.).
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
עבט (ʻăbôwṭ) — to take/give a pledge, become surety, bind by pledge
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5671-01 |
עַבְטִֽיט | avetit | HNcmsa |
with pledges | pledged item | pledged item | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5671-01 |
Habakkuk 2:6 | עַבְטִֽיט | avetit | HNcmsa |
with pledges | pledged item | pledged item |