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עָבֹת

𐤏𐤁𐤕

ʻâbôth

H5687 adjective

SILEX Entry

Root עבת to interweave, twist, bind

Definition

Thick, particularly referring to something dense, interwoven, or tightly bound together. Used of objects or materials exhibiting substantial density, mass, or complexity in their construction, such as cords, ropes, branches, or clouds. The sense of 'thick' can refer to tangible thickness (objects or materials) or visual density (e.g., thick clouds).

Semantic Range

thick, dense, interwoven, tightly bound, thick cords, strong ropes, thick clouds, massed branches

Root / Etymology

The term derives from the root עבת meaning 'to interweave, twist, bind'. עָבֹת is an adjective or substantive form describing something that is the result of intertwining or thickening.

Historical & Contextual Notes

עָבֹת is used in several contexts in the Hebrew Bible. In early texts (e.g., Judges, Psalms), it primarily refers to strong, thick cords—often in poetic imagery for strength, binding, or entanglement. In later passages, as in prophetic or wisdom literature, it can refer metaphorically to thick clouds (Job 37:11) or to density in a non-material sense. Distinct from other terms for 'rope' like חבל, which typically connote a more standard rope or line, עָבֹת emphasizes the thick, intertwined nature. The term is not specific to any ethnic, geographic, or religious group, but rather describes a physical or visual state. In later Hebrew, the sense of 'thick' continues, at times referring to dense foliage or intricate weaving. Standard English translations capture the 'thick' or 'dense' aspect, but often do not convey the nuance of intertwining or complex interweaving found in the root. It is also worth noting that while the term may be used metaphorically, its primary sense in the Hebrew Bible is physical density or intertwined mass rather than abstract complexity.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or עָבוֹת; from עָבַת; intwined, i.e. dense; thick.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

אב (ʾ-b) — fatherhood, ancestry, origin, source

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1 אָב father of
H15 אָבֶה my father
H2 אַב your fathers
H21 אֲבִי my father
H24 אָבִיב his father

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H5687-01 עָבֹ֖ת avot HAamsa thick fathers of 3
H5687-02 עֲבֻתָּ֔ה avutah HAafsa leafy densely interwoven 1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H5687-01 Leviticus 23:40 עָבֹ֖ת avot HAamsa thick fathers of
H5687-02 Ezekiel 6:13 עֲבֻתָּ֔ה avutah HAafsa leafy densely interwoven
H5687-01 Ezekiel 20:28 עָבֹ֗ת avot HAamsa thick fathers of
H5687-01 Nehemiah 8:15 עָבֹ֑ת avot HAamsa thick fathers of
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