What does חָבַשׁ (ḥāḇaš) mean in the Bible?
Binding or wrapping describes securing something, with its object determining the particular action. Genesis 22:3 uses this word for Abraham saddling his donkey as he prepares for the narrated test.
Hebrew · H2280
חָבַשׁ
Binding or wrapping describes securing something, with its object determining the particular action. Genesis 22:3 uses this word for Abraham saddling his donkey as he prepares for the narrated test.
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
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 theConnect page. Screenshots are helpful.
חָבַשׁH2280
Pronunciationḥāḇaš
What does חָבַשׁ (ḥāḇaš) mean in the Bible?
Reader summary
Full entry for חָבַשׁ (H2280) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H2280?
The BSB source-word alignment has 33 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include saddled (6), Saddle (2), . . . (1), a healer (1), and binds (1).
Where does חָבַשׁ (ḥāḇaš) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Genesis 22:3. Its strongest book concentrations include Ezekiel (7), 1 Kings (6), Isaiah (4), Job (4).
What This Word Actually Means
Binding or wrapping describes securing something, with its object determining the particular action. Genesis 22:3 uses this word for Abraham saddling his donkey as he prepares for the narrated test. Psalm 147:3 praises the Lord for healing the brokenhearted and binding their wounds. Ezekiel 34:16 pictures God as the shepherd who seeks strays, binds the broken and strengthens the weak while shepherding with justice.
Equipment and wounded people therefore do not give binding the same purpose. The word itself supplies neither a theory of healing nor authority to restrain another person. These passages make careful attention to the object essential: a saddle is secured for a journey, while the wound image expresses God's restorative care. Teaching should describe that care without promising a timetable for every loss or treating a vulnerable person's pain as evidence of deficient faith.
Passage contextPastoral application
How the Bible Uses It
Saddling an animal and binding wounds show different objects of securing or wrapping. The psalm and shepherd proclamation use wound care to describe God's restoration while retaining His concern for justice.
- Gen.22.3
So Abraham got up early the next morning, saddled his donkey, and took along two of his servants and his son Isaac. He split the wood for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had designated.
Abraham saddles the donkey while preparing for the specific divine test; this selected word concerns equipment rather than the later binding of Isaac.
- Ps.147.3
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
The praise of healing and binding wounds follows the gathering of Israel's exiles, placing tender care within the Lord's restoration of His people.
- Ezek.34.16
I will seek the lost, bring back the strays, bind up the broken, and strengthen the weak; but the sleek and strong I will destroy. I will shepherd them with justice.’
God's promised shepherding includes seeking, binding and strengthening alongside judgment, so restorative care must not be detached from the passage's justice.
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itsaddled6×Genesis 22:3, Numbers 22:21, Judges 19:10, 2 Samuel 19:26
Saddle2×1 Kings 13:13, 1 Kings 13:27
. . .1×Ezekiel 30:21
a healer1×Isaiah 3:7
and binds1×Psalms 147:3
and tie1×Exodus 29:9
and tied1×Leviticus 8:13
bandaged1×Isaiah 1:6
been bound up1×Ezekiel 30:21
bind up1×Ezekiel 34:16
binds up1×Isaiah 30:26
bound up1×Ezekiel 34:4
but He also binds1×Job 5:18
but He will bind up our wounds1×Hosea 6:1
govern1×Job 34:17
he saddled1×2 Samuel 17:23
He stops up1×Job 28:11
I wrapped1×Ezekiel 16:10
imprison them1×Job 40:13
of saddled1×2 Samuel 16:1
Put1×Ezekiel 24:17
So they saddled [it]1×1 Kings 13:27
Then she saddled1×2 Kings 4:24
Then they saddled1×1 Kings 13:13
tightly twisted1×Ezekiel 27:24
to bind up1×Isaiah 61:1
wrapped1×Jonah 2:5
Show sample aligned rows
Genesis 22:3וַֽיַּחֲבֹשׁ֙tosaddledConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularExodus 29:9וְחָבַשְׁתָּ֤toand tieConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singularLeviticus 8:13וַיַּחֲבֹ֥שׁtoand tiedConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularNumbers 22:21וַֽיַּחֲבֹ֖שׁtosaddledConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularJudges 19:10חֲבוּשִׁ֔יםtosaddledVerb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine plural2 Samuel 16:1חֲבֻשִׁ֗יםtoof saddledVerb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine plural2 Samuel 17:23וַיַּחֲבֹ֣שׁtohe saddledConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular2 Samuel 19:26אֶחְבְּשָׁה־tosaddledVerb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular1 Kings 2:40וַֽיַּחֲבֹשׁ֙tosaddledConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular1 Kings 13:13חִבְשׁוּ־toSaddleVerb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowGenesis 22:3
Aligned rows33
Books represented14
Genesis1Exodus1Leviticus1Numbers1Judges12 Samuel31 Kings62 Kings1Job4Psalms1Isaiah4Ezekiel7Hosea1Jonah1
Source forms
וַֽיַּחֲבֹשׁ֙2xway·ya·ḥă·ḇōšGenesis 22:3, 1 Kings 2:40
חִבְשׁוּ־2xḥiḇ·šū-1 Kings 13:13, 1 Kings 13:27
אֶחֱבֹ֔שׁ1x’e·ḥĕ·ḇōšEzekiel 34:16
אֶחְבְּשָׁה־1x’eḥ·bə·šāh-2 Samuel 19:26
וָאֶחְבְּשֵׁ֣ךְ1xwā·’eḥ·bə·šêḵEzekiel 16:10
וְחָבַשְׁתָּ֤1xwə·ḥā·ḇaš·tāExodus 29:9
וְיֶחְבָּ֑שׁ1xwə·yeḥ·bāšJob 5:18
וַיַּחֲבֹ֥שׁ1xway·ya·ḥă·ḇōšLeviticus 8:13
Parsing patterns
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular6xGenesis 22:3, Leviticus 8:13, Numbers 22:21, 2 Samuel 17:23
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine plural3xJudges 19:10, 2 Samuel 16:1, Ezekiel 27:24
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural2x1 Kings 13:13, 1 Kings 13:27
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural2x1 Kings 13:13, 1 Kings 13:27
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular2xJob 40:13, Ezekiel 24:17
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular1xPsalms 147:3
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular1xJob 5:18
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular | first person common plural1xHosea 6:1
Using This Word Well
Be careful not to...
- Offer patient and practical care while respecting a person's voice, agency and need for protection.
- Avoid demanding visible recovery as proof of faith, and do not use sacred language to justify domination of vulnerable people.
Avoid claiming...
- Do not claim H2280 binds Isaac in Genesis 22:3; the selected occurrence saddles the donkey and the later action requires its own source tracing.
- Do not claim restorative care cancels accountability; Ezekiel 34:16 explicitly connects God's shepherding with justice.
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. Binding or wrapping that secures tightly; figuratively extends to restraint, control, and governance of a domain.
Strong'sH2280
Lexical occurrences33 versesWord forms3 forms17 referencesVerse guides0 guides
Study linkIsaiah 30:18-26Source Gloss
to wrap firmly (especially a turban, compress, or saddle ); figuratively, to stop , to rule
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
Binding or wrapping that secures tightly; figuratively extends to restraint, control, and governance of a domain.
to wrap firmly (especially a turban, compress, or saddle); figuratively, to stop, to rule BDB: bind Usage: bind (up), gird about, govern, healer, put, saddle, wrap about.
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 groups3Aligned forms17
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense14×
Participle passive2Sam 16:1 · Ezek 27:24 · Jonah 2:6 · Judg 19:104×
Sequential imperfect1Kgs 13:13 · 1Kgs 13:27 · Ezek 24:17 · Job 40:134×
Imperfect2Sam 19:27 · Ezek 34:16 · Job 34:173×
PerfectEzek 34:41×
Participle activeIsa 3:71×
Infinitive constructIsa 30:261×
Pualintensive passive — intensive action received by the subject2×
PerfectEzek 30:21 · Isa 1:62×
Pielintensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action1×
PerfectJob 28:111×
Selected Scripture Witness
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
Old Testament Witnesses
To bandage or wrap for healing.
Showing 1 selected witness from 33 lexical occurrence verses.
Word Origins
חָבַשׁ is a primitive root - no further derivation.
Why This Word Matters
Highlights restorative care following affliction.Isaiah 30:18-26
For the Preacher and Teacher
Psalm 147 places the binding of wounds beside God's gathering of exiles and praise of His greatness. Care for the brokenhearted is not a minor concern outside that greatness; it belongs within the song's description of the Lord. Ezekiel's shepherd proclamation similarly names seeking, binding and strengthening, then insists on justice among the flock. Restoration does not excuse the conduct that harms others.
Genesis 22 reminds readers that the same verb can describe securing ordinary equipment, and that its saddle occurrence must not be confused with the narrative's later action toward Isaac. Luke's neighbor parable offers a concrete thematic comparison when the Samaritan bandages wounds and arranges ongoing care. Teachers can commend attentive help without prescribing treatment, promising instant recovery or using the language of binding to justify restraint and domination.
Anchor passage
Ps.147.3
Doctrinal connections
- Genesis 22:1-5 identifies a particular divine test and describes saddling the donkey among Abraham's preparations.
- Psalm 147:1-5 joins gathering exiles, binding wounds and praise of God's great understanding.
- Ezekiel 34:14-18 places the shepherd's restoring actions beside justice and questions about harm within the flock.
- Isaiah 61:1-3 includes binding the brokenhearted within an anointed proclamation of comfort and liberation.
- Mark 6:12-13 narrates the sent disciples' preaching and healing ministry, a comparison that does not establish a universal recovery timetable.
- Luke 10:33-35 portrays the Samaritan bandaging wounds and arranging continuing care in Jesus' neighbor parable.
Securing or wrapping takes different forms according to its object: a saddle, clothing or wounds. Genesis 22:3 concerns the donkey's equipment; the later action of binding Isaac must be traced to its own word rather than merged into this occurrence.
From Old to New Testament
The psalm praises God's binding of wounds, and Ezekiel describes restorative shepherding with justice. Luke 10:33-35 makes a neighbor's care visible through bandaging, transport and continuing provision. This is a thematic comparison of care, not an assertion that Greek vocabulary is the same Hebrew identifier or that the parable provides a modern treatment manual.
Passage contextCanonical parallelPastoral application