Hebrew · H2254, H899, H490

וְלֹא תַחֲבֹל בֶּגֶד אַלְמָנָה

To wind tightly (as a rope), i.e. to bind ; specifically, by a pledge ; figuratively, to pervert , destroy ; also to writhe in pain (especially of parturition) · a covering , i.e. clothing ; also treachery or pillage · a widow ; also a desolate place

This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through the Connect page. Screenshots are helpful.

Words in this compound — expand to study each participant

חָבַל H2254 to wind tightly (as a rope), i.e. to bind ; specifically, by a pledge ; figuratively, to pervert , destroy ; also to writhe in pain (especially of parturition)

Pronunciation yəḥabbel

Binding action that moves from physical restraint to covenant violation, corruption, and destructive harm of persons.

Open lexicon entry →

בֶּגֶד H899 a covering , i.e. clothing ; also treachery or pillage

Pronunciation beged

Garment literally; metaphorically extends to treachery, capturing betrayal as removing protective covering of trust.

Open lexicon entry →

אַלְמָנָה H490 a widow ; also a desolate place

Pronunciation ʾalĕmānāh

A widow embodies social vulnerability and desolation; the term extends metaphorically to abandoned, forsaken places

Open lexicon entry →

What does וְלֹא תַחֲבֹל בֶּגֶד אַלְמָנָה (velo tachavol beged almanah) mean in the Bible?

חָבַל · בֶּגֶד · אַלְמָנָה is a Hebrew phrase meaning "to wind tightly (as a rope), i.e. to bind ; specifically, by a pledge ; figuratively, to pervert , destroy ; also to writhe in pain (especially of parturition)".

Full entry for וְלֹא תַחֲבֹל בֶּגֶד אַלְמָנָה (H2254, H899, H490) · Open the biblical lexicon

Questions this entry answers

What does חָבַל · בֶּגֶד · אַלְמָנָה mean in the Bible?

e. to bind ; specifically, by a pledge ; figuratively, to pervert , destroy ; also to writhe in pain (especially of parturition)".

How many biblical occurrences are listed for H2254, H899, H490?

H2254, H899, H490 is connected to 301 lexical occurrence verses in the lexicon data.

Evidence Summary

Hebrew phrase. to wind tightly (as a rope), i.e. to bind ; specifically, by a pledge ; figuratively, to pervert , destroy ; also to writhe in pain (especially of parturition)

Strong's H2254, H899, H490

Lexical occurrences 301 verses Word forms 4 forms 19 references

Source Gloss

to wind tightly (as a rope), i.e. to bind ; specifically, by a pledge ; figuratively, to pervert , destroy ; also to writhe in pain (especially of parturition)

Grammatical Forms

How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.

This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.

Form groups 4 Aligned forms 19

Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense 13×

Imperfect Deut 24:17 · Exod 22:25 · Job 22:6 · Job 24:3 · Job 24:9 · Deut 24:6 · Job 34:31 7×

Perfect Ezek 18:16 · Neh 1:7 2×

Participle passive Amos 2:8 1×

Participle active Deut 24:6 1×

Infinitive absolute Exod 22:25 1×

Infinitive construct Neh 1:7 1×

Pual intensive passive — intensive action received by the subject 1×

Perfect Job 17:1 1×

Piel intensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action 4×

Imperfect Mic 2:10 · Ps 7:15 2×

Participle active Song 2:15 1×

Perfect Song 8:5 1×

Niphal passive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action 1×

Imperfect Prov 13:13 1×

Sources

MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain

Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0

Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0

STEPBible Data — CC BY 4.0

Berean Standard Bible (BSB) source-word alignment - CC0 Public Domain

Full license details