קֹבֶל
𐤒𐤁𐤋
qôbel
H6904 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Heavy beam or battering-ram, typically of wood, used as a military implement to breach city walls or gates. The term denotes an object designed for direct physical assault against fortifications. May also refer more generally to the act or instrument of confronting, particularly in a military context, but specifically attested as a siege weapon in biblical usage.
Semantic Range
battering-ram, heavy siege beam, instrument for breaking gates, device for confronting fortifications
Root / Etymology
From the root קבל, which in verb form (קָבַל) generally means 'to receive, to be opposite, to correspond.' The noun קֹבֶל appears to derive from the sense of 'opposition,' as the instrument (battering-ram) is positioned directly opposite fortifications to break through. The semantic development is from the idea of confronting or opposition toward a specialized instrument of warfare.
Historical & Contextual Notes
קֹבֶל is attested only in Ezekiel 26:9, referring to a battering-ram used in siege warfare during the Neo-Babylonian period. The specific reference is important, as it reflects military technology of the late monarchic period, especially in the context of large-scale siege engines used by Mesopotamian powers. The term is not attested elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible; later Hebrew uses different terms for siege implements (e.g., שֶׁלֶף, מַגֵּחַ). English translations often render this as 'battering-ram,' which accurately reflects the historical use but may obscure the nuance of confrontation inherent in the root. This word is unrelated to the more common words for 'war' or 'weapons.' In rabbinic and medieval sources, the term is rarely, if ever, used, likely due to changing military technologies and vocabulary.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from קָבַל in the sense of confronting (as standing opposite in order to receive); a battering-ram; war.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
קבל (q-b-l) — to receive, to stand opposite, to correspond, to confront
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H6901 | קָבַל | those causing to receive |
| H6902 | קְבַל | he accepted |
| H6903 | קְבֵל | in front of |
| H6905 | קָבָל | front-of |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6904-01 |
קָֽבָלּ֔/וֹ | qavalo | HNcmsc/Sp3ms |
of-it | his battering-ram | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6904-01 |
Ezekiel 26:9 | קָֽבָלּ֔/וֹ | qavalo | HNcmsc/Sp3ms |
of-it | his battering-ram |